WORLD OF WARSHIPS RFA TIDESPRING ROYAL FLEET AUXILIARY

Wallpaper Description:

RFA Tidespring is a Tide-class replenishment tanker of the British Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA). Ordered from DSME in 2012, the ship was accepted by the Ministry of Defence in 2017, approximately 18 months behind schedule. She arrived for final fitting out at A&P Falmouth, Cornwall on 31 March 2017, after a delivery voyage via Japan and Hawaii.

On 10 May 2017, a crane collapsed beside the ship whilst she was in drydock at Falmouth. The vessel was not damaged in the incident.

Tidespring sailed from Falmouth for final evaluation trials on 1 September 2017 which included her first visit to Gibraltar, first of class flying trials, and her first replenishment at sea (RAS) with RFA Wave Knight. On 16 November 2017, Tidespring entered Portsmouth for the first time to prepare for her dedication on 27 November.

Capacity:
Tanks for diesel oil, aviation fuel (1,900m3) and fresh water (1,300m3)
Lubrication oil stored in drums
Stowage for up to 8 20 containers
Complement: 63 plus 46 non-crew embarked persons (Royal Marines, flight crew, trainees)
Sensors and
processing systems:
Kelvin Hughes Integrated Bridge System
Servowatch IPMS System
3 SharpEye radar
Armament:
2 Phalanx CIWS
2 30 mm cannons
Aircraft carried: 1 medium helicopter with full hangar facilities (Merlin / Wildcat), flight deck capable of landing Chinook-size helicopter.

The Tide-class tanker (formerly the Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability (MARS) project) is a class of four fast fleet tankers that will enter service with the British Royal Fleet Auxiliary from 2017. The 37,000 t ships will provide fuel, food, fresh water, ammunition and other supplies to Royal Navy vessels around the world. Norway has ordered a 26,000 t version with a 48-bed hospital and greater solid stores capacity, for delivery in October 2016 as HNoMS Maud.

The two variants are both based on the AEGIR design from Britain's BMT Defence Services but are being built by Daewoo in South Korea with final outfitting in the UK and Norway respectively. Britain ordered four ships in February 2012 at a cost of £452m, causing controversy for being built abroad. The Norwegians ordered their ship in June 2013 for NOK1,320m (~£140m).