Griffon Hoverwork 2000TD
{{Short description|Light-weight hovercraft}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}}
| {{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image | Ship image = File:PA Griffon 2000TDX Mk II, 2006, inflated.JPG | Ship caption = A Griffon 2000TDX Mk II hovercraft, Christina, of the Lithuanian State Border Police in 2006 }} {{Infobox ship class overview | Builders = Griffon Hoverwork, United Kingdom | Operators = | Class before = | Class after = | Subclasses = | Built range = | In service range = | Total ships building = | Total ships planned = | Total ships completed = | Total ships cancelled = | Total ships active = | Total ships laid up = | Total ships lost = | Total ships retired = | Total ships scrapped = | Total ships preserved = }} {{Infobox ship characteristics | Hide header = | Header caption = | Ship type = Hovercraft | Ship tonnage = | Ship displacement =*3.5 tons (civilian)
| Ship length = 11.7 metres | Ship beam = 5.9 metres | Ship height = | Ship draught = | Ship draft = | Ship depth = | Ship decks = | Ship deck clearance = | Ship ramps = | Ship ice class = | Ship sail plan = | Ship power = | Ship propulsion = 1 Deutz diesel engine 350 horsepower for lift and propulsion | Ship speed = 35 knots (at sea state 3) | Ship capacity = | Ship crew = 3 (minimum 1) | Ship notes = 20 Passengers }} |
File:Auckland International Airport Emergency Services Hovercraft - Flickr - 111 Emergency.jpg
File:Försvarets svävare 2000 nr 302 utanför Ornö augusti 2014, video.webm in 2014]]
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.
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.{{cite news |title=Southsea to Ryde hovercraft back in use after breakdowns |work=BBC News |date=28 October 2017 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-41788041|accessdate=4 January 2020}}
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.{{cite web|url=http://www.traversiers.gouv.qc.ca/flotte/vca_lesprit-de-pakuashipi.php|title=VCA L'Esprit-de-Pakuashipi - Nos navires - Société des traversiers du Québec|work=gouv.qc.ca|accessdate=8 August 2016}}
Military use
File:Royal Marine Hovercraft on Patrol in Iraq MOD 45142903.jpg
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.
- 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. 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.
- KBV 590, based in Luleå
- KBV 592, based in Umeå
- 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
- Motor: diesel engine
- Power: 1 Deutz diesel engine 350 horsepower for lift and propulsion
- Propellers: 1 three-bladed variable-pitch propeller
- Performance
- Speed 35 knots (at sea state 3)
- Range 450 miles at 35 knots
- Military Lift:
- Weapons
- 1 M2HB machine gun (not on Belgian craft)
- Radar
- Navigation: Various; I-band
References
{{reflist|refs=
[http://www.griffonhoverwork.com/products-services/product-range.aspx Griffon Hoverwork Product Range]
{{cite news
| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-23163860
| title = Colombia forces in hovercraft boost
| last = Gardner
| first = Frank
| date = 3 July 2013
| publisher = BBC News
| accessdate = 2013-07-07
}}
| url = http://www.raja.fi/the_border_guard/the_border_guard_s_vessels_and_aircraft
| title = Finnish Border Guard's vessels and aircraft
| publisher = Rajavartiolaitos
| accessdate = 2013-07-07
| archive-date = 27 April 2017
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170427234807/http://www.raja.fi/the_border_guard/the_border_guard_s_vessels_and_aircraft
| url-status = dead
}}
}}
;General
- Saunders, Stephen (RN) Jane's Fighting Ships 2003-2004 {{ISBN|0-7106-2546-4}}
External links
{{commons category|Griffon 2000TD}}
- [http://www.griffonhoverwork.com/products-services/product-range/2000td.aspx 2000TD product page at Griffon Hoverwork]
- [http://www.griffonhoverwork.com/products-services/product-range/2400td.aspx 2400TD product page at Griffon Hoverwork]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Griffon 2000td Hovercraft}}