MV Sycamore Aviation Training and Trials

The MV Sycamore was a British aircraft carrier that played a significant role in the Royal Navy's aviation training and trials. It was built in 1944 to serve as a training ship for the Fleet Air Arm.

The MV Sycamore was designed to accommodate 24 aircraft, and it had a crew of over 1,000 personnel. The ship's flight deck was 650 feet long, providing ample space for aircraft to take off and land.

As a training ship, the MV Sycamore was equipped with a range of facilities to support pilots and aircrew, including classrooms, workshops, and a simulator. This allowed the crew to practice and refine their skills in a realistic and controlled environment.

The MV Sycamore is a remarkable vessel, with a design based on the Damen Offshore Patrol Vessel 2400. It's 94 meters long, with a beam of 14.4 meters and a draught of 3.9 meters.

The ship has a standard displacement of 2,400 tonnes and can carry 250 cubic meters of fuel oil and 50 cubic meters of fresh water. This allows it to operate for extended periods at sea.

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The MV Sycamore is powered by two diesel engines driving two shafts, giving it a designed top speed of 23 knots. However, its actual max speed is slightly lower, at 17.8 knots.

The vessel is equipped with a hangar and a flight deck, allowing a single helicopter to land. It's also the first ship to support the Australian Defence Force (ADF) designed from the outset to operate unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

The ship features a multi-use space that can be configured to help cope with disasters. This space can be used for a variety of purposes, including as a medical facility or a command center.

The MV Sycamore has a range of 5,550 nautical miles at 16.2 knots, making it a capable and reliable vessel for long-distance operations. This range is thanks to its large fuel capacity and efficient engines.

The ship is designed to accommodate up to 71 ADF personnel overnight, with heated and air-conditioned rooms featuring single, double, and four-berth cabins. This allows the crew to rest comfortably while on board.

Two rigid-hulled inflatable boats are carried on the aft deck, providing a means of transportation and patrol capabilities at sea. These boats are a valuable asset for the crew, allowing them to respond quickly to emergencies.

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The MV Sycamore is an impressive vessel, capable of operating in harsh sea conditions. It can withstand sea states of up to 9 and wind speeds of Beaufort scale 12.

Its performance is equally impressive, with a maximum speed of 23k and a range of 6,000nm. This allows it to stay at sea for extended periods, with an endurance of 20 days.

The ship's crew is contracted and consists of experienced mariners who are relishing the opportunity to work on a new and exciting project.

The MATV is built to withstand tough sea conditions, with the ability to operate in sea states of up to 9.

Its impressive range of 6,000nm allows it to travel vast distances without needing to refuel.

The vessel's endurance is equally impressive, with a maximum of 20 days at sea.

It can reach speeds of up to 23 knots, making it a fast and efficient mode of transportation.

The Australian Navy recently hosted its first helicopter trials on the MV Sycamore, a new aviation training vessel. The trials were a significant step in developing safe operating limits for the helicopter.

The trials took place off the eastern seaboard, with the Australian Navy's future training helicopter EC-135 carrying out first-of-class flight trials from the MV Sycamore. This was the first time any aircraft had operated from the Sycamore.

The trials allowed the crew to test the ship's aviation facilities and introduced them to embarked helicopter operations. The contracted crew, who operate the ship, were relishing the opportunity to apply their established mariner skills to a new and exciting role.

The ship's flight deck team, staffed by contractors, was supervised by a Royal Australian Navy Helicopter Control Officer. Commander Andrew Rohrsheim, the only permanent Royal Australian Navy officer posted to the ship, oversaw the operations.

The trials started in Jervis Bay, New South Wales, before moving to waters off Cairns in Queensland, where warmer weather allowed for data collection. Lieutenant Tim Craig noted that the data collection presented unique logistical challenges.

To accommodate the helicopter's needs, arrangements were made for the aircraft to make overnight stops and eventually operate from the Cairns International Airport each day.

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The navigation and systems on MV Sycamore are top-notch, allowing for precise control and situational awareness.

The vessel is equipped with a Terma's SCANTER 6002 combined air and surface surveillance radar, which can detect and track small targets far from the vessel in all weather conditions.

The aviation control room features Terma’s C-Flex command and control system, providing operators with situational awareness, mission planning, and decision-making capabilities.

An electro-optical fire control sensor is also fitted for identification, detection, tracking, and engagement of targets.

MV Sycamore boasts a range of navigation and communications systems, including medium-range surveillance radar, ultra-high frequency (UHF) and HF receivers, X and S-band radars, autopilot, and echo sounder.

The vessel also features Navtex, speedlog, gyro compass, differential global positioning system (DGPS), Satcom, and an electronic chart display and information system (ECDIS).

The active fin stabilisation system ensures smooth motion, making it easier to navigate and operate the vessel.

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The MV Sycamore is a multi-role aviation training vessel designed to support the Australian Defence Force (ADF). It's a robust ship with a standard displacement of 2,400 tonnes and a maximum displacement of 2,935 tonnes at full load.

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The ship measures 93.96 meters (305 feet) in length, with a beam of 14.4 meters (47 feet 3 inches) and a draught of 3.9 meters (12 feet 10 inches). It's powered by two diesel engines driving two shafts.

The MV Sycamore has a designed top speed of 23 knots, but its actual max speed is 17.8 knots. It can maintain a range of 5,550 nautical miles at 16.2 knots.

Here are the key dimensions of the MV Sycamore:

The ship has a hangar and a flight deck, allowing a single helicopter to land and take off. It can accommodate up to 71 ADF personnel overnight, with two crews of 22 personnel maintaining the vessel.