Engineering:Solid Support Ship
A Solid Support Ship is a Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship designed to supply dry stores such as ammunition, explosives and food to Royal Navy ships at sea. The Royal Fleet Auxiliary currently operates two Solid Support Ships RFA Fort Austin (A386) and RFA Fort Rosalie (A385). (RFA Fort Victoria (A387) though similar, is classed as a Auxiliary oiler and replenishment).[1] With the introduction of the HMS Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers a new class of ship will be required to replace the existing ageing ships.[2] The Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015 confirmed that three new large Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability (MARS) Solid Support Ships would be acquired for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, The National Shipbuilding Strategy stated that " The Fleet Solid Support ships will therefore be subject to an international competition which is due to complete by early 2020, in order to deliver ships from the mid-2020s."[3]
On the 26 September 2017 an 'Industry Day' was held in Bristol as the start of a 'Market Engagement Process' for a possible project to supply three 'Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability (MARS) Fleet Solid Support (FSS) Sea Going Vessels'.[4][2]
Brigadier James Morris is the Senior Responsible Officer for the Solid Support Ship project.[5]
On 16 May 2018, a contract notice was placed for two solid support ships, with a probable option of a third later. The ships would have a total cargo capacity of up to 7000 m3, be able to travel at a sustained speed of 18 knots without resupply and must be capable of delivering non bulk logistic material whilst underway and making 12 knots through the water and transferring single loads of up to 5 tonnes.[6]
References
- ↑ "Solid Support Ship - Royal Navy". http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/the-equipment/ships/royal-fleet-auxiliary/solid-support-ship.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Tovey, Alan (19 April 2018). "Fears grow new ships to support Royal Navy will be built overseas". Daily Telegraph. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2018/04/19/fears-grow-new-ships-support-royal-navy-will-built-overseas/. Retrieved 11 May 2018.
- ↑ "National Shipbuilding Strategy". gov.uk. 6 September 2017. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/643873/NationalShipbuildingStrategy_lowres.pdf.
- ↑ https://www.contracts.mod.uk/announcements/mars-fss-industry-day-26-september-2017-bristol/
- ↑ "Fleet Solid Support (FSS) programme: SRO appointment letter". gov.uk. 5 September 2017. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/645248/20170905-Fleet_Solid_Support_Programme_-_SRO_Letter_of_Appointment__Brig_James_Morris_.pdf.
- ↑ "United Kingdom-Bristol: Cargo ships 2018/S 092-209939 Contract notice Supplies". Ted Tenders Electronic Daily. 16 May 2018. http://ted.europa.eu/udl?uri=TED:NOTICE:209939-2018:TEXT:EN:HTML&WT.
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