Royal Canadian Navy Protecteur-class Joint Support Ships: HMCS Protecteur, and HMCS Preserver

Protecteur-class Joint Support Ships HMCS Protecteur, and HMCS Preserver

(RCN Photo)

The longest ship ever built in Canada, at close to 174 metres in length, the future Protecteur-class Joint Support Ships (JSS) will provide core replenishment, limited sealift capabilities and support to operations ashore for the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN).

The two new ships are currently under construction with the first, future His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Protecteur, expected to be delivered to the RCN in 2025. Protecteur will be the lead ship of the class, and the second will be named HMCS Preserver. Protecteur will remain on the West Coast, with Preserver destined for Halifax.

With a full Combat Management System and Communications Suite, JSS will be capable of participating in any fight, using its robust sensors including 3D Air Search Radar and Links 16 and 22 (encrypted, jam-resistant tactical data links) to support and develop the common operating picture. They will also be capable of embarking Task Group Command Staff and have all required Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance systems to support the Task Group Commander.

The ships will be armed with two close-in weapons systems (CWIS), four naval remote weapons systems and four manual .50 calibre heavy machine guns. In addition, the ship is fitted with a Nixie Towed Torpedo Decoy system, a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) detection and monitoring system, and CBRN citadel and filtration systems.

They will have significant magazines allowing them to carry re-supply ammunition, including missiles and torpedoes, for the fleet and will also be capable of embarking up to two CH-148 Cyclone helicopters with hangar facilities to conduct second-line maintenance of fleet helicopters.

JSS can carry up to 60, 20-foot-long containers. Other future RCN fleet ships, including Canadian Surface Combatants (CSC) and Arctic Offshore Patrol Vessels (AOPV), will also be capable of embarking mission-specific containers.

The JSS will also embark the RCN’s new sea-to-shore connectors. These modular self-propelled barges can carry quantities of mission-essential equipment, stores and personnel to and from shore quickly. When not in use they stored or transported like standard shipping containers and have multiple uses and configurations. They are engineered to be assembled from the JSS itself.

Apart from all the state-of-the-art systems and technologies of a modern naval vessel, the JSS will be home to a core crew of 240 personnel.

The JSS will have full medical capabilities, including an X-ray machine, blood bank, laboratory facilities, surgical bay, full dental facilities, and two ICU beds. It will normally sail with a Medical Officer, Physician’s Assistant, Medical Technician, Dental Officer, and Dental Technician. This team can be augmented with surgical teams for specific missions such as humanitarian and disaster relief.  

The JSS will have accommodation facilities that are of similar set up to the current fleet, with a Wardroom, Chiefs and POs mess as well as Master Sailor and Below Mess. Accommodations are based on single cabins for senior officers and the Coxswain, double cabins for officers and Chiefs, quad cabins for Petty Officers and six-person cabins for the remainder of the crew. Heads and wash places are built to be gender neutral with individual shower and toilets stalls. There will be two gyms, a library, computer lab, training and conference room and a dedicated barber shop.

The future Protecteur-class Joint Support Ships are a tribute to the dedication and sacrifices of generations of sailors who served aboard the former Protecteur-class auxiliary oiler replenishment vessels of the same names. As such, the new ships are carrying on the battle honours of the ships that came before them. (RCN)

(Seaspan ULC Photo)

Protecteur-class Joint Support Ship (JSS).

The Protecteur-class Joint Support Ships (JSS) are a new class of two multi-role ships being built by Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyards for the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN).

The new ships will increase the range and endurance of naval task groupmissions by providing replenishment at sea (RAS) capabilities, as well as serveas a home base for helicopter maintenance and repair.

The JSS will replace the former Protecteur-class auxiliary oiler replenishment(AOR) vessels that served the RCN until 2016.

The design and production engineering contract worth C$230m ($175.4m) for thevessels was awarded to Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyards in December 2016. SeaspanShipyards received a C$2.4bn ($1.76bn) contract for the construction of the twonew ships in June 2020.

The keel-laying ceremony of the first ship (JSS 1) in class, was held inJanuary 2020. Named HMCS Protecteur, the vessel is set to be delivered in 2023,while the delivery of the second JSS (JSS 2), named HMCS Preserver, is expectedby 2025.

The vessels are expected to achieve initial operating capability (IOC) by 2024.

Protecteur-class JSS design and features
The JSS, which is the largest ship being built in Canada, will have a length of173.7m and a beam of 24m. The displacement of the JSS will be approximately20,240t.

The new Protecteur-class will be equipped with defensive features and damagecontrol systems to support operations in high-threat environments. It will beable to accommodate 239 personnel.

The modular pontoon system (sea-to-shore connector) of the ship will enable thetransportation of more than 50t of load, including personnel, vehicles andsupplies, ashore. The self-propelled sea-to-shore connector is ideal forlocations that have inadequate port facilities.

The bow thruster is designed to provide enhanced manoeuvrability duringseamanship evolutions. The ship will have a flight deck to accommodate aChinook helicopter, while its hangar can house two CH-148 cyclone helicopters.

The ship’s deck space will be able to accommodate armoured and supportvehicles, containerised cargo, food, water, and spare parts. The support shipwill be able to carry approximately 6,875t of F76 marine fuel and 1,037t of F44aviation fuel. The fuel supplies will be enough to sustain naval task forceoperations for more than 30 days.

The JSS will be equipped with two RAS stations, which will support the transferof fuel, munitions and stores during replenishment missions.

Mission capabilities of Protecteur-class JSS
The JSS will be used for underway support to provide replenishment of fuel,ammunition, spare parts, food, and other supplies between naval ships duringtheir deployment at sea. It will provide limited sealift capability totransport and deliver cargo for task group operations at sea and operations ashore,including combat, and humanitarian and disaster relief missions.

The ship will also support training and naval manoeuvres. It will enable Canadato conduct and lead international and combined naval operations. The onboardhospital facilities including an operating room will be used to conduct medicaloperations such as triage, resuscitation, and treatment of shock. Designed incompliance with the NATO medical standards, the modern medical facilities willprovide intensive care and primary dental care.

Weapons on JSS
The JSS will be fitted with four naval remote weapon stations, which willfeature 0.50 calibre machine guns equipped with stabilisation andelectro-optical fire control systems. The remote-controlled machine guns willhave automatic target tracking capabilities.

Two close-in weapon systems (CIWS) comprising multi-barrel, computer-controlledgun systems will also be mounted on the ship. The CIWS will be able to destroythreats such as missiles and small boats.

Propulsion and performance
The JSS will be powered by MAN 12V32/44CR (common rail) marine engines equippedwith selective catalytic reduction (SCR) emissions control technology. Thepropulsion system will also include propulsion shafts, reduction gears,propellers, and ship service diesel generator sets. An emergency dieselgenerator set will provide backup power.

HMCS Protecteur and its sister ship will sail at a maximum speed of 20kt and acruising speed of 15kt.

Contractors involved in Protecteur-class JSS project
MAN Energy Solutions Canada received a contract worth C$55m ($41.23m) fromSeaspan Shipyards to provide the propulsion and power generation equipment forthe JSS.

Canadian ship repair company Navamar was awarded a contract worth C$12m ($9m)to supply five ship-to-shore connector systems. (Seaspan ULC)

(ReadyEyeReady.com Illustration)

HMCS Protecteur JSS artist's concept.

Based on the Type 702 Berlin-class replenishment ship designed and built for service in the German Navy. Previously named "Queenston."

(DND  Illustrations)

HMCS Protecteur, artist's concept.