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In response to Australia’s LAND 8710 program, BMT has officially offered the Caimen-90 platform to provide the Australian Army with a next-generation amphibious sealift capability.
BMT's Caimen-90 Fast is a highly capable tri-bow fast landing craft designed by BMT Defence Services and BMT Nigel Gee which addressed many design and safety challenges for light weight, fast landing craft and reduced host ship vulnerability.
It is able to operate at high speeds with heavy payloads, allowing faster amphibious offload from a host ship compared with slower, more conventional landing craft.
“BMT is offered world leading capability in landing craft vessels to the Australian Army with the Caimen-90,” BMT Defence and Security Managing Director, Peter Behrendt said.
“A variant of this vessel is already being built internationally, which shows it is a proven hull form and design,” Mr Behrendt said.
Through speed improvements, delivery and offload of similar quantities of vehicles stores and personnel can be achieved within the same timeframe and the specially designed hullform allows for reduced host ship vulnerability by launching landing craft further offshore and maintaining flexibility in stand-off distance.
“The Caimen-90 represents a significant improvement on speed performance from previous landing craft vessels and is capable of traveling at up to 30 knots,” he said.
The novel, tri-bow monohull is constructed from aluminium and has been extensively model tested, with the capability of the design being proven not only in terms of speed but also seakeeping and manoeuvrability.
“Additionally, features such as a tri-bow aluminum monohull and a bow and stern ramp, will allow for roll-on, roll-off capability, a key requirement for a modern landing craft. We are delighted to be able to offer this vessel to Australia,” Mr Behrendt added.
Land 8710 Phase One is the program to replace the Australian Army’s Mark 8 Landing Craft.
BMT is an international design, engineering and risk management consultancy, working principally in the defence, energy and environment, marine risk and insurance, maritime transport, and ports and logistics sectors.
BMT is the world’s largest independent ‘five eyes’ naval architecture and design company with Defence and Security business based in Australia, UK, Canada and USA.
BMT invests significantly in research. Its customers are served through a network of international offices. The company’s assets are held in beneficial ownership for its staff.
Stephen Kuper
Steve has an extensive career across government, defence industry and advocacy, having previously worked for cabinet ministers at both Federal and State levels.
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