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Abbreviations

Armed Forces - Royal Navy - n4a2 -  ROYAL FLEET AUXILIARY SERVICE - Fleet Tankers

ROYAL FLEET AUXILIARY SERVICE

FLEET TANKERS

Wave Class (Large Fleet Tankers)

RFA Wave Ruler - Wave Class - Large Fleet Tanker - Launched April 2003

Following a tendering process, contracts to build two ships were placed with VSEL (BAE Systems) on 12 March 1997. 

 

There have been many delays in the construction of the two vessels but at last the first, Wave Knight, entered service in March 2003, two years later than originally planned. 

Wave Ruler entered service early in 2004. The ships have a one spot flight deck with full hangar facilities for a Merlin helicopter. There are three Replenishment rigs and one crane.

 

 

WAVE CLASS Specifications
Length 196.5m
Displacement 31,500 tonnes 
Max Speed 18 knots
Range 10,000nm at 15 knots
Complement 80 plus 22 RN helicopter personnel
Cargo capacity 16,000 tonnes
Helicopters 1 x Merlin helicopter
Armament 2 x Phalanx Close-in Weapon Systems
2 x BMARC 30mm guns

 

NAME IN-SERVICE DATE
RFA Wave Knight (A389) 2003
RFA Wave Ruler   (A390) 2004

 

Rover Class (Small Fleet Tankers)

RFA Grey Rover - Rover Class - Small Fleet Tanker

These small tankers have proved most valuable over many years in supplying HM ships at sea with fuel, fresh water, limited dry cargo and refrigerated stores in all parts of the world. 

 

There is no hangar but a helicopter platform is served by a stores lift, to enable stores to be transferred at sea.  

 

Two of the class (five originally constructed) have been sold on, one to Portugal and one to Indonesia.

 

ROVER CLASS Specifications
Length 140.6m
Displacement 11,522 tonnes
Max Speed 19 knots
Range 15,000nm at 15 knots
Complement 50 (17 officers)
Cargo capacity 6,600
Armament 2 x 20mm Oerlikon
4 x 7.62mm MGs

 

NAME IN-SERVICE DATE
RFA Grey Rover (A269) 1970
RFA Gold Rover  (A271) 1974
RFA Black Rover (A273) 1974

 

Photos Crown Copyright