A Griffon 2000TDX Mk II hovercraft, Christina, of the Lithuanian State Border Police in 2006
Class overview
BuildersGriffon Hoverwork, United Kingdom
General characteristics
TypeHovercraft
Displacement
  • 3.5 tons (civilian)
  • 6.8 tons (military)
Length11.7 metres
Beam5.9 metres
Propulsion1 Deutz diesel engine 350 horsepower for lift and propulsion
Speed35 knots (at sea state 3)
Crew3 (minimum 1)
Notes20 Passengers
Griffon 2000 of Auckland International Airport Emergency Services in 2009

The Griffon 2000 series is a light-weight hovercraft built in the United Kingdom by Griffon Hoverwork and used principally by military and rescue organisations.

Background

Griffon Hoverwork (GHL) of Hythe, England has designed, manufactured and operated hovercraft for over 40 years.

GHL was the first manufacturer to use turbo-diesel engines on hovercraft, which increases durability compared to conventional petrol engines when exposed to salt water conditions. The company produces an extensive range of hovercraft, with payloads between 0.38 and 12 tonnes.[1]

Configuration

The 2000 series was introduced in the early 1990s. The 2000TD series is slightly smaller than the older SR.N6 popular with commercial and military services during the 1970s, and has largely replaced the older SR.N6 series in most of these roles. Because it is constructed almost entirely out of aluminium the 2000TDX is less than half the weight of the older SR.N6 hovercraft.

The 2400TD was designed in 2008 due to the popularity of the 2000 series. It has greater obstacle clearance, is capable of carrying a higher payload, and can reach higher speeds than the previous craft.

Commercial use

For eight years GHL operated a passenger service up and down the River Thames in London, and hovercraft were the only vehicles allowed to operate at high speed along the river, as they produce very little wash or wake.

Hovertravel currently uses a Griffon Hoverwork designed 12000TD craft to provide a passenger route between Southsea, Portsmouth and Ryde, Isle of Wight.[2]

Société des Traversiers du Québec in Québec, Canada was provided in 2012 with a 2000TD to operate a passenger service between Pakuashipi and Saint-Augustin during the periods the ice bridge linking the two communities is not open.[3]

Military use

Royal Marine Hovercraft on Patrol in Iraq

Griffon Hoverwork hovercraft have been purchased by several armies, navies and paramilitary organisations throughout the World, and several remain on order. The hovercraft can be configured to carry troops or cargo, with optional extras such as armoured glass and ballistic protection.

  • Belgian Army: 1 craft. Acquired in 1995. Exposed cargo deck only. Used for drone recovery and artillery range patrol. No weapons. Radical Decca, I-band radar.
    • Barbara A 999
  • Colombian Naval Infantry: 8 craft.[4]
    • ARC 331
    • ARC 332
    • ARC 333
    • ARC 334
    • ARC 335
    • ARC 336
    • ARC 337
    • ARC 338
  • Estonian Border Guard: 1 craft. Acquired in 1999. Capable of transporting 16 troops or 2 tons of equipment.
    • PVH 1
  • Finland: Border Guard: 7 craft.[5] First craft acquired on 1 December 1994. Third craft acquired June 1995. Can be embarked in an LCU. Similar configuration to Estonian craft.
  • Lithuanian Border Police: 1 craft. Acquired in 2000. Similar configuration to Estonian craft. Furuno 1000C, I-band radar.
    • Christina
  • Pakistan Marines: 4 craft
  • Peruvian Navy: 7 craft
  • Polish Border Guard
    • SG-411
    • SG-412
  • Swedish Coast Guard: First military version of the 2000TD series to be constructed. 2 crafts in operation delivered in 1993 (KVB 592) and 2011 (KVB 590). Similar configuration to Estonian craft. Furuno 7010D, I-band radar.
  • Swedish Navy: 3 craft
    • 302
    • 303
    • 304
  • United Kingdom: British Royal Marines: 4 craft LCAC(L).
    • C 21
    • C 22
    • C 23
    • C 24

Specifications

  • Designer / Manufacturer: Griffon Hovercraft Ltd.
  • Crew 3
  • Dimensions
    • Length 11.7 metres
    • Width 5.9 metres
    • full load displacement 3.5 tons
  • Propulsion
  • Performance
    • Speed 35 knots (at sea state 3)
    • Range 450 miles at 35 knots
    • Military Lift:
  • Weapons
  • Radar

References

  1. ↑ Griffon Hoverwork Product Range
  2. ↑ "Southsea to Ryde hovercraft back in use after breakdowns". BBC. Retrieved 4 January 2020.
  3. ↑ "VCA L'Esprit-de-Pakuashipi - Nos navires - Société des traversiers du Québec". gouv.qc.ca. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
  4. ↑ Gardner, Frank. "Colombia forces in hovercraft boost". BBC News. Retrieved 7 July 2013.
  5. ↑ "Finnish Border Guard's vessels and aircraft". Rajavartiolaitos. Retrieved 7 July 2013.
General
  • Saunders, Stephen (RN) Jane's Fighting Ships 2003-2004 ISBN 0-7106-2546-4
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