Jump to content

HMS Express (P163)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

HMS Express berthed at Penarth Marina, February 2020
History
United Kingdom
NameHMS Express
OperatorRoyal Navy
BuilderVosper Thornycroft
Commissioned1988
Identification
StatusIn active service
General characteristics
Class and typeArcher-class patrol vessel
Displacement54 tonnes
Length20.8 m (68 ft 3 in)
Beam5.8 m (19 ft 0 in)
Draught1.8 m (5 ft 11 in)
Propulsion2 shafts, Rolls-Royce M800T diesels, 1,590 bhp (1,190 kW)
Speed
  • 21 kn (39 km/h)
  • 45 kn (83 km/h) (Hull design, but limited due to engine fitted)
Range550 nmi (1,020 km)
Complement
  • 16 (training)[N 1]
  • 12 (operational)
Sensors and
processing systems
Decca 1216 navigation radar
Armament

HMS Express is an Archer-class P2000-type patrol and training vessel of the Royal Navy.[1][2]

Initially assigned to the Royal Naval Auxiliary Service, her hull was black rather than the grey colour normally used for Royal Navy warships. On transfer to the Royal Navy she retained the black colour until 2005. She is assigned to the Wales University Royal Naval Unit (URNU) from Cardiff, Swansea and South Wales Universities. The students are given the rank of officer cadet in the Royal Navy Reserve.

Up to 10 students from Wales URNU can be accommodated on board, as well as 5 permanent ships company drawn from the Royal Navy.

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ 5 ship's company, 1 training officer, 10 URNU students.
  2. ^ When operational and not in URNU role.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Patrol Boats – Archer class". Royal Navy. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  2. ^ "Archer Class P2000 (URNU)". Armed Forces.net. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
[edit]