HMAS Betano (L 133)
HMAS Betano in June 2011
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| History | |
|---|---|
 Australia
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| Builder: | Walkers Limited |
| Laid down: | September 1972 |
| Launched: | 5 December 1972 |
| Commissioned: | 8 February 1974 |
| Decommissioned: | 12 December 2012 |
| Homeport: | HMAS Coonawarra |
| Motto: | "Bravely In Difficulties" |
| Honours and awards: |
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| Status: | Awaiting disposal |
| Badge: |  |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type: | Balikpapan class landing craft heavy |
| Displacement: | 316 tons |
| Length: | 44.5 m (146 ft) |
| Beam: | 10.1 m (33 ft) |
| Propulsion: | Two GE diesels |
| Speed: | 9 knots (17 km/h; 10 mph) |
| Capacity: | 180 tons of vehicle cargo or 400 soldiers |
| Complement: | 13 |
| Armament: | 2 × 0.50 inch machine guns |
HMAS Betano (L 133) was a Balikpapan class heavy landing craft operated by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).
The eight-vessel Balikpapan class was ordered as a locally manufactured replacement for the Australian Army's LSM-1 class landing ship medium and ALC 50 landing craft. They are 44.5 metres (146 ft) long, with a beam of 10.1 metres (33 ft), and a draught of 1.9 metres (6 ft 3 in). The landing craft have a standard displacement of 316 tons, with a full load displacement of 503 tons. They are propelled by two G.M. Detroit 6-71 diesel motors, providing 675 brake horsepower to the two propeller shafts, allowing the vessels to reach 9 knots (17 km/h; 10 mph). The standard ship's company is 13-strong. The Balikpapans are equipped with a Decca RM 916 navigational radar, and fitted with two 7.62 millimetres (0.300 in) machine guns for self-defence.
The LCHs have a maximum payload of 180 tons; equivalent to 3 Leopard 1 tanks, 13 M113 armoured personnel carriers, 23 quarter-tonne trucks, or four LARC-V amphibious cargo vehicles. As a troop transport, a Balikpapan class vessel can transport up to 400 soldiers between a larger amphibious ship and the shore, or embark 60 soldiers in six-berth caravans for longer voyages. The vessel's payload affects the range: at 175 tons of cargo, each vessel has a range of 1,300 nautical miles (2,400 km; 1,500 mi), which increases to 2,280 nautical miles (4,220 km; 2,620 mi) with a 150-ton payload, and 3,000 nautical miles (5,600 km; 3,500 mi) when unladen. The flat, box-like keel causes the ships to roll considerably in other-than-calm conditions, limiting their ability to make long voyages.
Betano was laid down by Walkers Limited at Maryborough, Queensland on 3 October 1972, launched on 12 December 1972, and commissioned into the RAN on 8 February 1974.
In April 1974, Betano, Buna, and Brunei transited to Lord Howe Island as a demonstration of the Balikpanan class' oceangoing capabilities.
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