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HMS Smiter (P272)

HMS Smiter on the Solent outward bound from Portsmouth Naval Base 17 June 2016.
History
United Kingdom
NameHMS Smiter
OperatorRoyal Navy
BuilderWatercraft Marine
Laid down1985
Launched1985
Completed22 January 1986
Commissioned4 September 1986
HomeportHMNB Portsmouth
Identification
Motto"Strike hard and often"
StatusIn active service
Badge
General characteristics
Class and typeArcher-class patrol vessel
Displacement54 tonnes
Length20.8 m (68 ft)
Beam5.8 m (19 ft)
Draught1.8 m (5 ft 11 in)
Propulsion2 shafts, Rolls-Royce M800T diesels, 1,590 bhp
Speed
  • 14 kn (26 km/h)
  • 45 kn (83 km/h) (Hull design, but limited due to engine fitted)
Range550 nmi (1,020 km)
Complement
  • 18 (training)[N 1]
  • 12 (operational)
Sensors and
processing systems
Decca 1216 navigation radar
Armament

HMS Smiter is an Archer-class patrol and training vessel of the Royal Navy.[1][2]

Operational history

Upon being accepted into service, she initially served with the Clyde Division of the Royal Naval Reserve until 11 October 1990. She then transferred to the University Royal Naval Unit (URNU) of Glasgow. In September 2012, she became the training vessel of the Oxford University Royal Naval Unit. She replaced HMS Tracker in this role, which transferred to the Faslane Force Protection Squadron.

In June 2017, Smiter, in company with HM Ships Archer, Ranger and Exploit, deployed to the Baltic to take part in the NATO BALTOPS exercise, marking the first time that the Royal Navy P2000's were involved in such an exercise.[3]

Role

Smiter provides sea training for members of the Oxford University Royal Naval Unit.

Notes

  1. ^ 5 ship's company, 1 training officer, 12 URNU students.
  2. ^ When operational and not in URNU role.

References

  1. ^ "Patrol Boats – Archer class". Royal Navy. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  2. ^ "Archer Class P2000 (URNU)". Armed Forces.net. Retrieved 7 March 2019.
  3. ^ "1st Patrol Boat Squadron's Baltops endeavour". Royal Navy. 30 June 2017. Retrieved 7 March 2019.