Bacolod City-class logistics support vessel

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BRP Bacolod City (LC-550), lead ship of the Bacolod City class Logistics Support Vessel, with USS Essex at Balikatan in 2008
BRP Bacolod City (LC-550), lead ship of the Bacolod City class Logistics Support Vessel, with USS Essex at Balikatan in 2008
Class overview
Name: Bacolod City class Logistics Support Vessel
Builders: Halter/Moss Point Marine, Escatawpa, MS.
Operators: Philippine Navy  Philippines
Planned: 2
Completed: 2
Active: 2
General characteristics
Class & type: Bacolod City class
Type: Logistics Support Vessel
Displacement: 4,265 tons (full load)
Length: 273 ft (83 m)
Beam: 60 ft (18 m) with ramp folded
Draft: 12 ft (3.7 m)
Installed power: 5,800 hp (4,300 kW)
Propulsion: 2 × GM EMD 16V-645E6 diesel engines
Speed:
  • 12 knots (22 km/h) maximum
  • 10 knots (19 km/h) sustained
Range: 8,300 nautical miles (15,400 km) at 10 knots (19 km/h)
Boats & landing
craft carried:		 2 × LCVPs on davits
Capacity: 2,280 tons (900 tons for amphibious operations) of vehicles, containers or cargo, plus 150 troops
Complement: 6 Officers and 24 enlisted
Sensors and
processing systems:		 Raytheon SPS-64(V)2 I-band Navigation Radar[1]
Armament:
  • 2 × 20 mm Oerlikon Mk10 cannons
  • 2 × 7.62 mm general purpose machine guns[2]
Aviation facilities: Helipad at aft deck

The Bacolod City class is a ship class of two Logistics Support Vessels currently in service of the Philippine Navy, and are currently its newest class of landing ships, having been commissioned during the early 1990s. These ships were based on a helicopter capable variant of the United States Army's General Frank S. Besson, Jr. class Logistics Support Vessel.

History

The two Bacolod City class ships were built by Halter/Moss Point Marine of Escatawpa, Mississippi in the United States. The first unit, BRP Bacolod City (LC-550) was commissioned into Philippine Navy in December 1993, while sister ship BRP Dagupan City (LC-551) was commissioned in April 1994. Both ships were purchased brand-new by the Philippine government through the Foreign Military Sales program of the United States. Since commissioning, both ships have been rigorously used in military and peacetime operations, and have participated in joint military exercises with foreign navies.

Presently they are assigned with the Service Force of the Philippine Fleet.[3]

Technical details

The ships are powered by two General Motors-EMD 16-645EZ6 diesel engines with a combined power of around 5,800 hp (4,300 kW) driving two propellers. The main engines can propel the 1,400 ton (4,265 tons full load) ship at a maximum speed of 12 knots (22 km/h). At a sustained speed of 10 knots (19 km/h), the vessels have a range of 8,300 nautical miles (15,370 km).[4]

As an amphibious transport, it is fairly armed for defensive purposes, and carries four 7.62 mm general-purpose machine guns at the front side decks, and two Oerlikon 20 mm cannons near its two LCVPs.

File:US Navy 090421-N-0120A-035 The Armed Forces of the Philippines Navy logistics support vessel BRP Dagupan City (LC 551) maneuvers into position in a formation exercise.jpg
BRP Dagupan City (LC-551) at Balikatan Exercises in 2009

The prime mission of the ship is the direct transport and discharge of liquid and dry cargo to shallow terminal areas, remote under-developed coastlines and on inland waterways. The ship does not require external cranes or port facilities, and even in only four feet of water under full load, the ship is still able to land. This capability expands the choice of landing locations, and at the same time reduces the potential enemy impact on the logistics support operations.

The ships have a capacity to transport up to 48 TEU or 2,280 tons vehicles/general cargo, or up to 900 tons on Logistics Over The Shore (LOTS)/amphibious operations. The ramps and main deck are able to support roll-on/roll-off for vehicles up to main battle tanks.[5]

Ships in Class

Bow number Ship name Launched Commissioned Service Status
LC-550 BRP Bacolod City (LC-550) 1 December 1993 Philippine Navy Service Force Active
LC-551 BRP Dagupan City (LC-551) 5 April 1994 Philippine Navy Service Force Active

References

  1. ↑ Jane's Fighting Ships 2004-2005
  2. ↑ World Warships. Philippine Navy.
  3. ↑ Philippine Fleet Official Website. Commissioned ships and crafts.
  4. ↑ DLSU N-ROTC Office. Naming and Code Designation of PN Vessels.
  5. ↑ Naval Technology Frank S Besson Class LSV Logistic Support Vessel

External links

See also

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