RCS Ardenfontein Class [AGB]
The RCS (Royal Commonwealth Ship) Ardenfontein Class is a nuclear-powered multi-purpose icebreaker class in service with the Commonwealth Navy. Designed by Royal Beaufort Shipwrights Guild and commissioned in 25 December 1989, she was simultaneously conceptualised to fill the role of secondary off-shore supply, diving support, towing and research vessel. The reasoning was due to the fact that beyond periods in which icebreaking operation would be needed, the vessel may fill other operational roles which render its usage imperative.
The class was designed with an unusual bow structure; The lack of its sharp characteristic in comparison to most other open water navigational vessels. Viewed from a waterline horizontal angle, her bow is structurally flat in comparison to her overall width. The aforesaid feature was designed to combat difficult ice conditions. As a consequence of this bow structure however, the Ardenfontein Class will not effectively operate well, in comparison to other vessels, in open water. This was due to the fact that her bow would not be able to, in comparison to other vessels; allow her to resist multiple strong, high wave impact.
As well noted, the class was designed with its unique exertion torque deliverance helically-incised cylindrical rod support, aft of the shaft propulsive to her hull. On top of that, she simultaneously is provided with the addition of another propulsive support in the form of of two forward pulling cylindrically incised rod. The propulsive force generated is delivered to her hull, giving the vessel an approximate 25% increase in additional structural thrust. Water streams are produced on the bow screws to lubricate the area between the vessel’s hull and its surrounding ice.
In heavy ice conditions, it is recommended for the vessel to be navigated upon by her aft direction. Her conventional aft form corresponds to the bow of modern effective sole icebreaker designs. However, this generates the high probability of underwater blade damage. There is high probability that surrounding ice will consolidate into the two blades’ middle space separation. During her conceptualisation, it has been noted that this will generate a complex issue; a field condition which cannot be fixed easily in an immediate operational situation.
However, following past debates in April 1990, Royal Beaufort Shipwrights Guild reverted the Ardenfontein Class' underwater blade arrangement towards that of two rotating cylindrical rods in place of her original rudder design, with an operational turning angle of 270o each, constructed side by side in relation to the other. This structural rotating screw arrangement was tested, successfully implemented and applied, as a result allowing the resistance of high ice load. The blade structure simultaneously functions as a primary breaker of ice ridges, disintegrating the aforesaid accumulation, throwing it aside in the process. The blade structure also aided manoeuvrability of the vessel in operational open water situation. The Ardenfontein Class has ever since been one of the main strategic operational vessels of the Commonwealth Navy to fill its off-shore material aid & supply vessel, diving support, vessel towing and deep sea research role.
The class was designed with an unusual bow structure; The lack of its sharp characteristic in comparison to most other open water navigational vessels. Viewed from a waterline horizontal angle, her bow is structurally flat in comparison to her overall width. The aforesaid feature was designed to combat difficult ice conditions. As a consequence of this bow structure however, the Ardenfontein Class will not effectively operate well, in comparison to other vessels, in open water. This was due to the fact that her bow would not be able to, in comparison to other vessels; allow her to resist multiple strong, high wave impact.
As well noted, the class was designed with its unique exertion torque deliverance helically-incised cylindrical rod support, aft of the shaft propulsive to her hull. On top of that, she simultaneously is provided with the addition of another propulsive support in the form of of two forward pulling cylindrically incised rod. The propulsive force generated is delivered to her hull, giving the vessel an approximate 25% increase in additional structural thrust. Water streams are produced on the bow screws to lubricate the area between the vessel’s hull and its surrounding ice.
In heavy ice conditions, it is recommended for the vessel to be navigated upon by her aft direction. Her conventional aft form corresponds to the bow of modern effective sole icebreaker designs. However, this generates the high probability of underwater blade damage. There is high probability that surrounding ice will consolidate into the two blades’ middle space separation. During her conceptualisation, it has been noted that this will generate a complex issue; a field condition which cannot be fixed easily in an immediate operational situation.
However, following past debates in April 1990, Royal Beaufort Shipwrights Guild reverted the Ardenfontein Class' underwater blade arrangement towards that of two rotating cylindrical rods in place of her original rudder design, with an operational turning angle of 270o each, constructed side by side in relation to the other. This structural rotating screw arrangement was tested, successfully implemented and applied, as a result allowing the resistance of high ice load. The blade structure simultaneously functions as a primary breaker of ice ridges, disintegrating the aforesaid accumulation, throwing it aside in the process. The blade structure also aided manoeuvrability of the vessel in operational open water situation. The Ardenfontein Class has ever since been one of the main strategic operational vessels of the Commonwealth Navy to fill its off-shore material aid & supply vessel, diving support, vessel towing and deep sea research role.
Technical data
Name
Ardenfontein Class [AGB]
Shipwrighter
Royal Beaufort Shipwrights Guild
Nation of origin
Camwood and Yohannes
In commission
25 December 1989
Type
Multi-purpose icebreaker
Total displacement
24,000 t
Vessel LOA
150 m
Vessel LWL
140 m
Vessel EB
30 m
Vessel WB
28 m
Nav. Draft (max)
11.1 m
Draft limitation
12 m
Propulsion
2x Weilmfontein AR-27D PWR/water reactor pressurised nuclear-powered
55 MW (74,600 shp)
Prop. shafts
2x C3N Dunedin
Supplementary
Electric overall
Speed
~25 knots nautical max/flank
~19 knots cruise
Complement
99 enrolled personnel, 50 officers, 1 flag personnel
1x RH-90 Incursor (rotary)
Protection
50 mm ice-point, 48 mm Frontier steel vital hull, 20 mm rest
Sensors
Wilhelm II NCIS
Export
US$100,000,000.00
Name
Ardenfontein Class [AGB]
Shipwrighter
Royal Beaufort Shipwrights Guild
Nation of origin
Camwood and Yohannes
In commission
25 December 1989
Type
Multi-purpose icebreaker
Total displacement
24,000 t
Vessel LOA
150 m
Vessel LWL
140 m
Vessel EB
30 m
Vessel WB
28 m
Nav. Draft (max)
11.1 m
Draft limitation
12 m
Propulsion
2x Weilmfontein AR-27D PWR/water reactor pressurised nuclear-powered
55 MW (74,600 shp)
Prop. shafts
2x C3N Dunedin
Supplementary
Electric overall
Speed
~25 knots nautical max/flank
~19 knots cruise
Complement
99 enrolled personnel, 50 officers, 1 flag personnel
1x RH-90 Incursor (rotary)
Protection
50 mm ice-point, 48 mm Frontier steel vital hull, 20 mm rest
Sensors
Wilhelm II NCIS
Export
US$100,000,000.00