Griffon Hoverwork 8000TD explained

Griffon/GRSE 8000 TD class is a series of hovercraft designed by Griffon Hovercraft Ltd, Southampton, England. It has proven to be one of Griffon's most commercially successful hovercraft.

The 8000TD's most extensive customer has been the Indian Coast Guard, for which the order was jointly built by the Griffon Hoverwork and the Indian firm Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers. It has primarily been operated by military customers, including the Korea Coast Guard and the Saudi Arabian Border Guards.

Design

The Griffon Hoverwork 8000TD is a twin-engine fully-amphibious hovercraft. In Indian service, it has been typically operated by a complement of 11 personnel, which includes a pair of officers.^[1] Each craft has sufficient capacity to support payloads of up to, making it suitable to carry a mixture of passengers, vehicles and miscellaneous equipment for conducting disaster relief and medical evacuation missions. In a typical all-passenger configuration, between 42 and 56 personnel can be carried.

Power is provided by a pair of radiator-cooled Iveco diesel engines, supplied by the German engine manufacturer MTU, which drive the craft's variable-pitch propellers. To minimise maintenance requirements and increase durability, many of the craft features a touchscreen-based condition monitoring system that warns the crew of excessive vibration and other unfavourable conditions in and around the drivetrain in real-time. This propulsion system reportedly enables the craft to achieve a top speed of, making it suitable for high-speed patrolling while traversing coastal shallow waters, marshy areas, and creeks as well as across deep seas.^[2]

The hull of the 8000TD is primarily composed of lightweight marine grade aluminium alloy, while other elements comprise a high proportion of composite materials, which are typically moulded for greater strength and longevity.^[2] According to Griffon Hoverwork, each craft has an anticipated typical lifespan of 20 years with proper and regular servicing. It is fitted with a skirt which has been designed to deliver consistence and safe performance over various terrain and weather conditions. Later-built craft features improved seakeeping capabilities and a higher top speed, along with greater clearance, and more advanced onboard navigation and surveillance systems.^[3] For military operators, the craft has also typically been fitted with a single machine gun, which can be equipped to be remotely operated. Some operators have opted to fit their 8000TDs with bow ramps, enabling road vehicles to be readily embarked and disembarked as required.

Operational history

During 2001, it was announced that the Indian Coast Guard had formed an agreement with Griffon Hoverwork to supply an initial batch of six 8000TD hovercraft, two of which were to be manufactured at GHL's boatyard in Southampton, England, while the remaining four craft were assembled from complete knocked-down kits (CKDs) supplied to the Indian company Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), based in Kolkata, India.^[4]

In October 2010, Griffon Hoverwork was awarded a follow-on contract valued at £34 million to supply the Indian Coast Guard with a further 12 8000TD hovercraft. At the time, this deal was the largest to ever be made by the company.^[5] These craft are not identical to the earlier batch, featuring several enhancements and additional pieces of equipment, often intended to improve serviceability and incorporate technical advances.^[4] This order was fulfilled almost half a year ahead of schedule, the final craft being delivered at a ceremony held in Mumbai on 5 September 2014.^{[6] [7]} The Indian Coast Guard has deployed its 8000TDs in various roles, including search and rescue operations, to assist vessels in various forms of distress, as well as the surveillance and interception of offending vessels under both day and night conditions.^[8]

Additional operators for the 8000TD series have included three examples supplied to the Korea Coast Guard, five craft for the Saudi Arabian Border Guards, and a single example bought for use at Singapore's Changi Airport.^[7]

Ships of the class

In Service with the Indian Coast Guard

Pennant Number	Date of commission	Homeport	Remark
Flight I
H 181	18 Sep 2000	Haldia	Made by Griffon
H 182	21 Sep 2001	Paradip^[9]	Made by Griffon
H 183	21 Sep 2001^[10]	Mandapam^[11]
H 184		Okha	Delivered in October 2001
H 185		Okha	Delivered in November 2001
H 186	2002	Haldia^[12]
Flight II
H 187	11 June 2012	Okha^[13]
H 188	12 December 2012	Haldia^[14]
H 189	20 November 2012	Okha
H 190	19 February 2013	Mandapam^[15]
H 191	10 Apr 2013	Okha^[16]
H 192	23 December 2013	Mumbai^[17]
H 193	13 February 2014	Haldia^[18]
H 194	23 December 2013	Mumbai
H 195	13 May 2014	Mandapam^[19]
H 196	10 November 2014^[20]	Manglore^[21]
H 197	11 October 2014	Mandapam
H 198	10 November 2014	Mangalore

Specifications

• Crew: 15^[22]
• Empty weight: 30,000 kg
• Payload: 8,000 kg^[2]
• Length: 22.52 m
• Height: 5.52 m^[23]
• Beam: 11 m
• Maximum speed: 50 knots or 92 km/h
• Armament: 1 x 12.7 mm machine gun
• Power: 2 × MTU 12V183 TB32 diesel engines
• Propulsion: 2 × ducted CP aircrew propellers, 1,600 bhp
• Range: 365/42
• Fuel capacity: 2,000 litres

See also

• Jija Bai class patrol vessel
• Tara Bai class patrol vessel
• Priyadarshini class patrol vessel
• Sarojini Naidu class Extra-fast patrol vessel

External links

• Order
• Specification
• H-181 commissioned
• H-182 and H-183 commissioned
• H-184 AND H-185 Delivered to ICG
• H-186 commissioned
• 12 hovercraft ordered
• H-187 commissioned
• H-187 commissioned
• H-189 commissioned
• H-190 commissioned
• H-191 commissioned
• H-193 commissioned

Notes and References

1. Web site: 11th Hovercraft for Indian Coast Guard inducted into service . Zee News . 9 April 2016 . 27 April 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160427124950/http://zeenews.india.com/news/india/11th-hovercraft-for-indian-coast-guard-inducted-into-service_1483072.html . live .
2. Web site: 8000TD . griffonhoverwork.com . 18 September 2021 . 18 September 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210918145829/https://www.griffonhoverwork.com/products/hovercraft/8000td-hovercraft/ . live .
3. Web site: Profiles: Griffon Hoverwork . landseaairmagazine.com . 1 February 2012 . 18 September 2021 . 18 September 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210918151330/http://www.landseaairmagazine.com/2012/02/01/griffon-hoverwork-3/ . live .
4. Web site: Guarding Hovercraft Drivetrains . 18 September 2021 . 18 September 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210918145833/https://www.industrialtechnology.co.uk/products--guarding-hovercraft-drivetrains.html . live .
5. Web site: Profiles: Griffon Hoverwork . 5 . landseaairmagazine.com . 6 December 2010 . 18 September 2021 . 18 September 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210918145833/http://www.landseaairmagazine.com/2010/12/06/griffon-hoverwork-2/ . live .
6. Web site: Twelfth and final hovercraft for the Indian Coastguard completed ahead of schedule . griffonhoverwork.com . 18 September 2021 . 1 August 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160801122637/http://www.griffonhoverwork.com/news/archive/indian-coastguard.aspx . live .
7. Web site: India completes 8000TD hovercraft acquisition programme . janes.com . 6 October 2014 . 18 September 2021 . 1 December 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141201184357/http://www.janes.com/article/44050/india-completes-8000td-hovercraft-acquisition-programme . live .
8. Web site: Indian Coast Guard Hovercraft H-187 Commissioned . gktoday.in . 11 June 2012 . 18 September 2021 . 18 September 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210918145827/https://www.gktoday.in/current-affairs/indian-coast-guard-hovercraft-h-187-commissioned/ . live .
9. Web site: Hovercraft patrol to protect Orissa's turtles against illegal trawlers News Environment . infochangeindia.org . 9 April 2016 . 28 June 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220628181238/https://infochangeindia.org/ . usurped .
10. Web site: The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Nation . www.tribuneindia.com . 9 April 2016 . 7 March 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160307092514/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2001/20010922/nation.htm#8 . live .
11. Web site: ICG to escort devotees to Katchativu festival . www.newindianexpress.com . 9 April 2016 . 21 April 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160421185411/http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil_nadu/article1458691.ece?service=print . dead .
12. Web site: English Releases . 9 April 2016 . 19 April 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160419192808/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelcontent.aspx?relid=20882 . live .
13. Web site: Press Information Bureau . 9 April 2016 . 19 April 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160419175934/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=84810 . live .
14. Web site: Indian Coast Guard commissions two hovercraft . Watkins . Valentine . www.bairdmaritime.com . 9 April 2016 . 24 April 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160424123229/http://www.bairdmaritime.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=13732:indian-coast-guard-commissions-two-hovercrafts&catid=73&Itemid=65 . live .
15. Web site: Fourth UK built Hovercraft Joins Indian Coast Guard - SP's Naval Forces . www.spsnavalforces.com . 9 April 2016 . 20 April 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160420020213/http://www.spsnavalforces.com/exclusive/?id=81&h=Fourth-UK-built-Hovercraft-Joins-Indian-Coast-Guard . live .
16. Web site: Indian Coast Guard Ship H-191 Commissioned . pib.nic.in . 9 April 2016 . 19 April 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160419173837/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=94603 . live .
17. News: Frontier India.
18. Web site: Coast Guard commissions Hovercraft H-193 in Haldia . 9 April 2016 . 20 April 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160420012737/http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/coast-guard-commissions-hovercraft-h-193-in-haldia-114021301243_1.html . live .
19. News: Coast Guard Mandapam station gets one more hovercraft . 11 May 2014 . The Hindu . en-IN . 0971-751X . 9 April 2016 . 28 June 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220628181208/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/coast-guard-mandapam-station-gets-one-more-hovercraft/article5997404.ece . live .
20. Web site: Governor to commission two Indian Coast Guard hovercrafts in Mangaluru . Network . CD . Coastaldigest.com . en-US . 9 April 2016 . 22 April 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160422014346/http://coastaldigest.com/index.php/news/69834-governor-to-commission-two-indian-coast-guard-hovercrafts-in-mangaluru . live .
21. Web site: Indian Coast Guard station hovercraft in Mangalore . www.griffonhoverwork.com . 9 April 2016 . 1 August 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160801141855/http://www.griffonhoverwork.com/news/archive/indian-coast-guard.aspx . live .
22. Web site: ICGS hovercraft - Griffon 8000TD . Times of India . Anand . McNair . 11 June 2012 . 15 June 2018 . 28 June 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220628181206/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Griffon-8000TD-a-hovercraft-of-UK-make-having-a-top-speed-of-45-knots-and-also-armed-with-a-remote-operated-machine-gun-was-commissioned-on-Monday-at-Okha-by-Indian-Coast-Guard-director-general-MP-Muralidharan-The-30-tonne-H187-hovercraft-which-will-be-carrying-a-crew-of-15-is-said-to-be-ideal-for-shallow-water-operation-and-would-be-mostly-used-for-patrolling-in-the-Gulf-of-Kutch-/articleshow/14024432.cms?from=mdr . live .
23. Web site: Griffon 8000TD hovercraft inducted in Indian Coast Guard . Indian Defence Forum . 11 January 2012 . 19 April 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150419100702/http://indiandefence.com/threads/griffon-hoverwork-wins-a34million-contract-for-12-hovercraft-for-indian-coast-guard.14031/ . live .