RFA Tidespring (A136)

RFA Tidespring
History
United Kingdom
NameRFA Tidespring
NamesakeRFA Tidespring
OrderedFebruary 2012
BuilderDSME
Laid downDecember 2014
LaunchedApril 2015
In service27 November 2017
HomeportMarchwood Military Port, Southampton
Identification
StatusIn service
Badge
General characteristics
Class & typeTide-class fast fleet tanker
Displacement37,000 t (36,000 long tons)
Length200.9 m (659 ft 1 in)
Beam28.6 m (93 ft 10 in)
Draft10 m (32 ft 10 in)
PropulsionCODELOD
Speed20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph)
Range18,200 nautical miles (33,700 km; 20,900 mi)
Capacity
  • Tanks for diesel oil, aviation fuel (19,000 m³) and fresh water (1,400 m³)
  • Lubrication oil stored in drums
  • Stowage for up to 8 ft × 20 ft containers
Complement63 plus 46 non-crew embarked persons (Royal Marines, flight crew, trainees)
Sensors &
processing systems
  • Kelvin Hughes Integrated Bridge System
  • Servowatch IPMS System
  • 3 × SharpEye radar
Armament
  • 2 × Phalanx CIWS (fitted for, depending on deployment)
  • 2 × 30 mm cannons (fitted for, depending on deployment)
Aircraft carried1 medium helicopter with full hangar facilities (Merlin / Wildcat), flight deck capable of landing Chinook-size helicopter

RFA Tidespring is a Tide-class replenishment tanker of the British Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA). Built by DSME in 2016, the ship entered service with the Royal Fleet Auxiliary in November 2017.