Yŏngjŏnggang-class replenishment ship
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The Yŏngjŏnggang class is a type of multi-product replenishment oiler built for the Menghean Navy during the 2000s. It is capable of supplying friendly ships with fuel, water, and dry goods, including ammunition. It is capable of resupplying one ship on either side, plus one ship astern with a trailing hose, while resupplying other ships in the area by helicopter.
Design
The Yŏngjŏnggang-class replenishment oiler has a total of four alongside replenishment (CONREP) masts. The forward pair are used for transferring pallets of break bulk cargo, including food, spare parts, and ammunition. These masts can also be used to move personnel between ships, either on chairs (if healthy) or stretchers (if injured). The aft pair of masts each carry two sets of hoses, and can transfer fuel oil, aviation fuel, potable water, and boiler feed water. The layout of the delivery points on the Yŏngjŏnggang-class replenishment ships influenced the layout of the receiving points on other Menghean warships: the dry cargo receiving point is forward of the fuel and water receiving point, allowing a ship to receive goods of both types simultaneously.
For ship classes, especially smaller ones, that do not have alongside replenishment facilities, the Yŏngjŏnggang class can also trail a hose behind and refuel a following ship over the bow. This mode of fuel transfer is slower due to the smaller-diameter hose, and does not allow transfer of solid cargo.
The quarterdeck is occupied by a large landing area which can also be used to stage supply pallets for lifting and delivery. Just forward of these, inside the aft superstructure, are two hangars for GH-28 helicopters, specifically the baseline "G" variant with hardpoints removed. These helicopters can conduct vertical replenishment, either by loading personnel into the passenger compartment or by carrying cargo pallets slung underneath.
Armament
Defensive armament consists of two GBM-23/5 Bulkkot close-in weapon systems, one facing forward and one facing aft. These provide a small measure of defense against anti-ship missiles and small surface craft. There are also four pintle mounts - two forward, two aft - for 12.7mm heavy machine guns, which are normally stored in lockers aboard the ship. Onboard lockers may also be loaded with YDG-38 shoulder-fired anti-air missiles, to provide additional defense against helicopters and low-flying aircraft.
Export to Medacapre
In 2015, Medacapre signed an agreement on the construction and delivery of two Yŏngjŏnggang-class replenishment ships. They were delivered in 2018 and 2019.
Ships in the class
Menghean replenishment oilers and large supply ships are named for rivers (gang).
| Hull No. | Name | Laid Down | Launched | Commissioned | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BHB-963 | Yŏngjŏnggang | 2001 10 04 | 2002 12 10 | 2004 07 18 | |
| BHB-964 | Wigang | 2002 06 21 | 2003 07 05 | 2005 03 25 | |
| BHB-965 | Wŏlgang | 2002 12 14 | 2004 01 29 | 2005 08 04 | |
| BHB-966 | Yigang | 2004 02 24 | 2005 03 29 | 2006 08 03 |
| Name | Laid Down | Launched | Commissioned | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [Meda 1] | 2015 10 16 | 2016 11 19 | 2018 10 09 | |
| [Meda 2] | 2016 08 18 | 2017 10 04 | 2019 11 07 |