View source for Wave-class tanker

{{Short description|Class of two fast fleet tankers of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary}}
{{Distinguish|Wave-class oiler}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2023}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2013}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin
|sclass=2
|infobox caption=yes
}}
{{Infobox ship image
|Ship image=[[File:The Portsmouth based Type 23 Frigate, HMS Iron Duke carrying out Replenishment at Sea (RAS) with RFA Wave Ruler, whilst carrying out the duties of the Atlantic Patrol Task (North) ATP (N). MOD 45146495.jpg|300px|RFA ''Wave Ruler'' (left) carrying out a replenishment at sea with the frigate HMS ''Iron Duke'' in 2006]]
|Ship caption=RFA ''Wave Ruler'' (left) carrying out a replenishment at sea with the frigate HMS ''Iron Duke'' in 2006
}}
{{Infobox ship class overview
|Name=Wave class
|Builders= [[Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering|VSEL]] (later [[BAE Systems Marine]])
|Operators=[[File:British-Royal-Fleet-Auxiliary-Ensign.svg|23px|RFA Ensign]] [[Royal Fleet Auxiliary]]
|Class before={{sclass2|Ol|tanker|4||1965}}
|Class after={{sclass2|Tide|tanker|4}}
|Subclasses=
|Cost=
|Built range= 
|In service range= 
|In commission range= 8 April 2003–present
|Total ships building=
|Total ships planned=
|Total ships completed=2
|Total ships cancelled=
|Total ships active= 
|Total ships laid up= 2 (both ships in "extended readiness" - uncrewed reserve)
|Total ships lost=
|Total ships retired=''Planned by March 2025''
|Total ships preserved=
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Hide header=
|Header caption=<ref name="Janes">''Jane's Fighting Ships, 2004–2005''. Jane's Information Group Limited. p. 817. {{ISBN|0-7106-2623-1}}.</ref><ref name="RN">[http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/operations-and-support/royal-fleet-auxiliary/rfa-flotilla/fast-fleet-tankers/ ''Wave'' Class Fast Fleet Tankers at the Royal Navy homepage]  {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100728225802/http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/operations-and-support/royal-fleet-auxiliary/rfa-flotilla/fast-fleet-tankers/ |date=28 July 2010 }}</ref><ref name="navtec">{{cite web |url=http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/wave/ |website=naval-technology.com |title=Wave Class Royal Fleet Auxiliary, United Kingdom |accessdate=30 January 2016}}</ref>
|Ship type=[[Replenishment oiler|Fast fleet tanker]]
|Ship displacement=31,500 tonnes approx
|Ship length={{convert|196.5|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|Ship beam={{convert|28.25|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|Ship draft={{convert|9.97|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|Ship propulsion={{Wave class tanker propulsion}}
|Ship speed={{convert|20|kn|km/h|0}}
|Ship range={{convert|10000|nmi|km|-4}} at {{convert|15|kn|km/h|0}}
|Ship endurance=
|Ship capacity={{Wave class tanker capacity}}
|Ship complement=80 Royal Fleet Auxiliary personnel with provision for 22 Royal Navy personnel for helicopter and weapons systems operations
|Ship sensors=*Surface search: E/F band
*Navigation: Kelvin Hughes Ltd SharpEye navigation radar<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-navigation-radar-system-for-royal-navy |title=New navigation radar system for Royal Navy |publisher=Government of the United Kingdom |date=28 January 2016 |accessdate=30 January 2016}}</ref>
*IFF: Type 1017
|Ship EW=[[Seagnat|Sea Gnat]] decoy launcher system<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.navylookout.com/royal-navy-to-equip-19-ships-with-trainable-decoy-launchers/ |title=Royal Navy to equip 19 ships with trainable decoy launchers |work= Navy Lookout |date=29 April 2024 |access-date=1 May 2024}}</ref>
|Ship armament=
*2 × [[DS30B rapid fire cannon|DS30B]] 30 mm guns;
*2 × 7.62 mm Mk.44 [[minigun]]s (retired 2023);<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.navylookout.com/in-focus-the-50-cal-heavy-machine-gun-in-royal-navy-service/ |title=In focus: the 50 cal heavy machine gun in Royal Navy service |publisher=Navy Lookout |date=5 May 2023 |access-date=5 May 2023}}</ref>
*5 × [[FN MAG|7.62 mm L7]] machine guns;
*2 × [[Vulcan Phalanx]] CIWS (all weapons removed given uncrewed reserve status)
|Ship armor=
|Ship aircraft=1 × [[AgustaWestland EH101|Merlin]] helicopter with full hangar facilities
|Ship aircraft facilities=
|Ship notes=
}}
|}

The '''Wave-class tankers''' are a class of [[Replenishment oiler|fast fleet tankers]] in service with the [[Royal Fleet Auxiliary]]. The class is tasked with providing fuel, food, fresh water, ammunition and other supplies to [[Royal Navy]] vessels around the world. There are two ships in the class, {{ship|RFA|Wave Knight|A389|6}} and {{ship|RFA|Wave Ruler|A390|6}}. The ships were ordered to replace the aging {{sclass2|Ol|tanker|1||1965}}s {{ship|RFA|Olna|A123|6}} and {{ship|RFA|Olwen|A122|6}}.<ref name="navtec" /> The two vessels have seen service in a number of locations, including anti-drug and hurricane relief operations in the [[Caribbean Sea]],<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hampshire/7589536.stm|title=Navy ships help after hurricane.|publisher=[[BBC News]] |date=31 August 2008}}</ref><ref name=caycompass>{{cite news|url=http://www.caycompass.com/cgi-bin/CFPnews.cgi?ID=1035068|title=5am update: Storm causes damage, slams Sister Islands|newspaper=Cayman Compass|date=8 November 2008|accessdate=8 November 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081112021903/http://www.caycompass.com/cgi-bin/CFPnews.cgi?ID=1035068|archive-date=12 November 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7653121.stm |title=Cuba welcomes RN anti-drug ship |publisher=BBC News |date=5 October 2008 |accessdate=30 January 2016}}</ref> anti-piracy activities around the [[Horn of Africa]],<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.westernmorningnews.co.uk/Sailors-help-foil-pirate-attacks-free-13-fishermen/story-11462902-detail/story.html |title=Sailors Help Foil Pirate Attacks |newspaper=[[Western Morning News]] |date=21 April 2009 |accessdate=10 August 2015 }} {{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/operations-and-support/royal-fleet-auxiliary/rfa-flotilla/fast-fleet-tankers/rfa-wave-knight/news/rfa-wave-knight-disrupts-pirate-attacks |archive-url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20101001110155/http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/operations-and-support/royal-fleet-auxiliary/rfa-flotilla/fast-fleet-tankers/rfa-wave-knight/news/rfa-wave-knight-disrupts-pirate-attacks |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 October 2010 |title=RFA Wave Knight Disrupts Pirate Attacks |publisher=Royal Navy |accessdate=30 January 2016}}</ref> and deterrent patrols in the [[South Atlantic]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8521429.stm |title=Gordon Brown says UK is prepared in Falkland Islands |publisher=BBC News |date=18 February 2010 |access-date=30 January 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.navynews.co.uk/news/783-hms-york-at-worlds-end.aspx |website=Navy News |title=HMS York - at world's end |date=29 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608162032/http://www.navynews.co.uk/news/783-hms-york-at-worlds-end.aspx |archive-date=8 June 2011}}</ref> As of early 2022, both ships were earmarked for "extended readiness" status (i.e. uncrewed reserve).<ref name="NAO report on EP says MoD has decid">{{cite tweet|number=1495750964632080389|user=NavyLookout|title=NAO report on EP says MoD has decided to place both Wave Class RFA tankers in “extended readiness” saving £79M over…|date=21 February 2022}}</ref> In November 2024, the newly elected Labour government indicated that both ships would be removed from service by March 2025.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2k0292v0w1o |title=UK to decommission ships, drones and helicopters to save £500m |website=BBC |last=Vock |first=Ido |date=20 November 2024}}</ref>

==History==

A contract was placed for the vessels in 1997 with [[Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering Ltd]] (Marconi Marine VSEL). Construction of ''Wave Knight'' began in 1998 at VSEL's [[Barrow-in-Furness]] yard and the ship was [[Ship naming and launching|launched]] in 2000.<ref name="Janes" /> With the acquisition of [[Marconi Electronic Systems]] and its Marconi Marine subsidiary in 1999 [[British Aerospace]] became [[BAE Systems]]. BAE now owns VSEL in Barrow and the [[Yarrow Shipbuilders|Yarrow]] and [[Govan]] shipyards on the [[River Clyde|Clyde]]. BAE transferred the construction of ''Wave Ruler'' to Govan in 2000 and the vessel was launched in 2001. Both vessels were [[Ship commissioning|commissioned]] in 2003.

==Design==

The ships have the capability to supply fuel and other liquid cargo to vessels using [[Underway replenishment|replenishment]] rigs on port and starboard beams and through a Hudson reel-type stern rig. When providing support for amphibious operations, the ships are also able to deliver fuel to [[Dracone Barge|dracones]] positioned alongside. The equipment load includes cranes (for stores handling and abeam replenishment), steering and rudder gear, thyristor-controlled winch/windlasses and double drum mooring winches. Up to {{convert|16,000|m3|abbr=on}} of liquids and {{convert|500|m3|abbr=on}} of general solids can be carried. In addition, [[reverse-osmosis]] equipment is fitted enabling the production of {{convert|100|m3|abbr=on}} of drinkable water per day.<ref name="navtec" />

The vessels were designed with [[double hull]]s to prevent or reduce environmental pollution from oil spills if damage is sustained to the outer hull.<ref name="RN" />

The ships can operate a [[AgustaWestland EH101|Merlin HM1]] helicopter, or other helicopters of similar size, from a hangar and flight deck at the stern. On deployments to [[Standing Royal Navy deployments#Atlantic Patrol Task .28North.29|Atlantic Patrol Task (N)]] they have typically embarked a Royal Navy [[Westland Lynx|Lynx]] or a [[United States Coast Guard]] helicopter{{Citation needed|date=November 2024|reason=need a source for the deployment with a us coast guard helicopter}}.

The vessels have a standard crew of 80 Royal Fleet Auxiliary personnel with provision for a further 22 Royal Navy personnel to conduct helicopter and weapons systems operations.<ref name="navtec" /> They carry a full medical team and sick bay and are capable of distributing 2,000 emergency relief packages in times of crisis.<ref>http://www.navynews.co.uk/news/1251-lynx-flies-the-atlantic.aspx {{dead link|date=January 2016}}</ref>

==Construction programme==
{| class="wikitable"
!Name
!Pennant
!Builder
!Ordered
!Laid down
!Launched
!In service
|-
|{{ship|RFA|Wave Knight|A389|2}}
|A389
|[[Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering|VSEL]] (later [[BAE Systems]]), [[Barrow-in-Furness]]<ref name="Janes" />
|rowspan=2|12 March 1997<ref name="Janes" />
|22 October 1998<ref name="Janes" />
|29 September 2000<ref name="Janes" />
|8 April 2003<ref name="Janes" />
|-
|{{ship|RFA|Wave Ruler|A390|2}}
|A390
|[[BAE Systems]], [[Govan]]<ref name="Janes" />
|10 February 2000<ref name="Janes" />
|9 February 2001<ref name="Janes" />
|27 April 2003<ref name="Janes" />
|-
|}

==Future==
In June 2018 it was reported by the Brazilian press that the [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|UK MoD]] had offered to sell one or both of the Wave-class tankers to [[Brazil]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.naval.com.br/blog/2018/06/01/exclusivo-ingleses-sondam-interesse-da-mb-em-um-navio-tanque-classe-wave/|title = EXCLUSIVO: Ingleses sondam interesse da MB em um navio-tanque classe 'Wave'|date = June 2018}}</ref> As early as 2010, BAE Systems had proposed providing Brazil with a variant of the Wave-class, tailored to meet the specific aviation, stores and personnel requirements of the [[Brazilian Navy]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.defense-aerospace.com/article-view/release/119452/bae-offers-brazil-11_warship-package-with-tech-transfer%2C-partnership.html|title = Technology Transfer Key to BAE Systems' Proposal to the Brazilian Navy}}</ref>

As of June 2020, ''Wave Ruler'' was reported to be in extended readiness (uncrewed reserve)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/naval-warfare/premium-rfa-trio-remain-extended-readiness-reduced/|title = RFA trio remain in extended readiness as reduced fleet continues to support RN deployments - Shephard Media}}</ref> but maintained in good condition and available for reactivation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.navylookout.com/the-royal-fleet-auxiliary-in-2021/|title = The Royal Fleet Auxiliary in 2021 &#124; Navy Lookout| date=29 January 2021 }}</ref>

In February 2022, it was reported that both tankers of the class would be kept in "extended readiness".<ref name="NAO report on EP says MoD has decid"/>

In June 2023, one report suggested that due to manning shortages in the RFA, both ships would be decommissioned and potentially sold abroad.<ref>{{cite tweet |url=https://twitter.com/NavyLookout/status/1667449403664105472 |title=@NavyLookout Given crew shortages, it has been decided RFA Wave Ruler and RFA Wave Knight will be permanently decommissioned. |number=1667449403664105472 |user=NavyLookout |date=10 June 2023 |access-date=10 June 2023}}</ref> However, in the same month James Cartlidge, the Minister of State, Ministry of Defence, stated that both ships were to be retained in extended readiness until 2028 with the option of potentially reactivating them if required.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/wave-class-tankers-to-remain-in-extended-readiness-to-2028/ |title=Wave class tankers to remain in extended readiness to 2028 |website=UK Defence Journal |last=Allison |first=George |date=17 June 2023}}</ref>

On November 20th 2024 Secretary of State for Defence John Healey announced that both Wave class would be decommissioned to save costs. <ref> {{cite web | url=https://news.sky.com/story/uk-to-scrap-warships-military-helicopters-and-fleet-of-drones-to-save-money-despite-threats-abroad-13257285 |title=Sky news report: UK to scrap 5 warships| date=20 November 2024}}</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery widths=180>
File:RFA Wave Knight (A-389).jpg|''Wave Knight'' prepares to transfer fuel to the amphibious assault ship {{USS|Bataan|LHD-5|6}} during a replenishment at sea.
File:RFA Wave Ruler (A390).jpg|''Wave Ruler'' underway with a [[United States Coast Guard]] [[Eurocopter HH-65 Dolphin]] helicopter embarked
File:Wave Ruler refuels Robert G Bradley.jpg|''Wave Ruler'' (background) refuels {{USS|Robert G. Bradley|FFG-49|6}} in the Pacific Ocean.
File:US Navy 070409-N-5459S-082 From right to left, RFA Wave Ruler (A390), USS Mahan (DDG 72), CS Almirante Latorre (FFG 14), FGS Sachsen (F 219), and USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG 58) navigate together in formation during an exercise.jpg|''Wave Ruler'' (foreground), {{USS|Mahan|DDG-72|6}}, [[Jacob van Heemskerck-class frigate|''Almirante Latorre'']], [[Sachsen-class frigate|''Sachsen'']], and {{USS|Samuel B. Roberts|FFG-58|6}} navigate in formation.
File:RAF Wave Knight replenishing French frigate Germinal.jpg|''Wave Knight'' resupplying French frigate [[French frigate Germinal|''Germinal'']].
</gallery>

== See also ==
* [[List of replenishment ships of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary]]
* [[Wave-class oiler]] - 1940s class some of whose names were reused by the 2003 ships

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://wn.com/Wave_Knight_class_tanker Video of RFA ''Wave Ruler'' (A390) near Plymouth on 9 October 2009.]
{{Commons category|Wave class replenishment tanker}}

{{Wave class tanker}}

{{Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships}}

[[Category:Auxiliary replenishment ship classes]]
[[Category:Wave-class tankers| ]]
[[Category:Tankers of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary| Wave Knight]]
[[Category:Auxiliary ships of the United Kingdom]]