Landing Platform Helicopter (Replacement) - LPH(R)
 

Notes:
Project designation:  URD ?
Status:  Future project group studies.  Initial Gate 2010?
In Service Date:  2018

In 2003 the Royal Navy started some preliminary (pre-concept) studies investigating options for a replacement for the Invincible class CVS's and in particular HMS Ark Royal in her secondary LPH role from late 2013, and HMS Ocean in her primary LPH role from 2018.  

During 2005 it was clarified that the new Future Aircraft Carriers (CVFs) will, like the current CVS's, have a secondary LPH and "Commando ship" role.  Near-term and long-term (post 2015) force levels are currently envisaged as two aircraft carriers capable of a secondary amphibious role, plus a dedicated Landing Platform Helicopter.  There is thus no longer any need to quickly proceed with the development of a new LPH type unit to replace HMS Ark Royal, and there may well be some flexibility 'right' in the 2018 date for replacing HMS Ocean.  A study in to the viability and cost-effectiveness of extending the service life of HMS Ocean can be expected during a LPH(R) Concept Phase, prior to any Initial Gate approval.

As of September 2006, it appears that plans for a LPH(R) are on hold, with many of the potential "Commando Carrier" capabilities now to be included in the Future Aircraft Carrier (CVF).  How much the Royal Navy will use and risk a ship costing about ₤2 billion in a role that a ship a tenth that price could fulfil remains to be seen.

Design

A relatively low-cost, medium displacement (20-30,000 tonnes) Landing Platform Helicopter (LPH) or Landing Platform Helicopter and Dock (LHD) is the most likely outcome for LPH(R) - if the programme ever progresses.  A co-operative project with another European country would be an option if requirements and timescales could be co-ordinated - although this seems unlikely as no other country currently has similar requirements in a  similar timescale.

New helicopter carriers are also being promoted by non-RN sources as a lower cost alternative to the CVF aircraft carrier project, if large enough (over 30,000 tonnes) a small number of F-35B JSF could also be embarked and operated.

USS Tawara, LHA-1 (Source US Navy)

USN Influence

It was reported in July 2004 that the Royal Navy was holding preliminary discussions with the US Navy concerning the possible purchase of two of the Tarawa class Landing Platform Assault (LHA).  The US Navy currently has five of these 40,000 tons ships in service, and plans to pay them off between 2011 and 2015.  While any  possible RN purchase is primarily in connection with the CVF project, it would also place in considerable doubt the burgeoning LPH(R) project.  However there are major problems associated with the RN buying these large, very old (19-24 years older than HMS Ocean!), hard worked, steam powered and manpower intensive ships, which would require major and costly rebuilds prior to any further service, and in order to meet RN standards and requirements.  It can be reasonably assumed that discussions are unlikely to go any further baring a dramatic change in current RN plans.

The USN's latest large amphibious ship design, is the LHA(R).  According the USN, its general characteristics as of October 2005 are:

Expected unit cost is over ₤1 billion.

Such a large and costly dedicated amphibious ship is the preserve of the world's only superpower - even the most ambitious RN plans for CVF "strike carriers" will be much closer to this than the USN own next generation CVN-21 aircraft carriers.  Any RN LPH(R) will be much smaller and simpler than the USN's LHA(R) .
 

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