Incat converts 050 for US Army

Incat Australia?s newly commissioned dry dock has made its debut with groundbreaking work to refit Incat 050 as a Theatre Logistics Vessel for the US Military. Formerly known as Top Cat, the November 1998-launched vessel has already proven itself at sea with a 100% reliability rating for the three times daily 102 nautical mile journey across New Zealand?s Cook Strait. TACOM, the Tank Automotive and Armament Command of the US Army, has signed a two-year $20.5 million proof of concept charter agreement, which includes optional extensions, with Bollinger/Incat USA. The US Navy and Coast Guard is also expected to take part in the project, which calls for a vessel capable of transporting more than 450t of cargo and 325 personnel over a distance of 1,100 nautical miles at an average speed of 35 knots. The craft will be required to launch and recover helicopters and rigid inflatable boats in Sea State 3. It will also have to offer long-range fuel capabilities to travel distances over 4,500 nautical miles without refuelling with 250t of cargo onboard and within nine days at an average speed over 22 knots. The fast-tracked conversion, which took a little over two weeks, included the building and installation of a heli-deck, internal fit-out work and other modifications to suit troop transportation. It is constructed out of aluminium plating with the only steel being in the tie down fittings. Incat designed a new extrusion for the heli-decks 6-7mm plating. Unlike the 5mm deck plating on vehicle decks, which was kept thinner through use of a honeycomb structure, the heli-deck was of open extrusion and single skin thereby needing additional thickness. “There will be no compromise on speed with this vessel which has always been 100t lighter than later vessels,” Incat?s technical liason manager Guy Doyle said. “Even with the adjustments she will be lighter. The US military?s load requirements are about 70% of what the vessel can handle.” After refit and military enhancements Incat 050 would have a loaded draft of 3.67m and an operating deadweight of 770t. Other features of the vessel include a quarter ramp capable of loading and discharging armoured wheeled and track vehicles to almost any wharf height and Sealift pontoon. Crew accommodation will sustain 40 people for 15 days or more. Incat chairman Robert Clifford said the groundbreaking military contract could be the most significant in the company?s history given that the US military envisaged widespread use of high speed marine transport in the near future.