ACV(HL) 35m
This hovercraft is the western direct equivalent of Soviet Tsaplya class, developed for the same mission. Hellenic Hoverwork was established in late 1960's to built under lisence British hovercrafts SR.N6 and BH.7 for RHN. Several SR.N6 were also built as civilian vessels, plus a domestic civilian commercial hovercraft based on experience from license built BH.7*. British offered a variant of VT.2 originally back in early 1980's, but RHN turned down the offer, because wanted an ACV capable of transferring one MBT or three IFVs, more or less 50 tons weight.The vessel was also required to loaded on an domestic LPD, which was on development to replace the domestic WW2 vintage Nafkratousa Class LSD ) from early 1990s and also capable of minelaying. Prototype vessel was built in 1990-92 and tested until 1996, together with its sister second prototype from 1993, shown impressive performance. Ten more built until 2008, the prototypes also entered service after rebuilt. The MRL can lowered inside like in Zubr class for reloading with 16 more rockets behind it, from a magazine similar with M77 or RM70. The hovercraft has also a rear ramp door for minelaying (40-50 mines can be loaded, depending on size) and a vehicle is capable of driving through it, like in US LCAC. An unusual feature of LCAC(HL) is that the bow lid which locks the front ramp closed is designed to rise a bit for unlocking ramp and then slides back instead of opening upwards as in Tsaplya.
The 30mm Gatling are of a domestic design, firing 30x170 rounds (ARIS 6-30G1) and 30x173 (ARIS 6-30G2), based on M61 Vulcan. The gun itself was planned to used also on a domestic CIWS, but teething problems including excessive vibration under fire prevent this. Firing rate was reduced to 2,500 rpm and the mount was redesigned 2 times before working properly. Even though the ARIS 6-30G is less accurate than Avenger Gatling, is fairly good for firing support.
*The commercial variant had a bit narrower hull, same prop/rudder configuration with the military variant and powered by quadruple Lycoming TF25. Passenger capacity was 260. Only 4 built in early to mid 1980's for the sole hovercraft operator in Hellenic Kingdom, the Ionian Hoverlines (1967-present). Actually they were built in two pairs, second had a central bay for carrying palletized loads or 2-3 coaches. Never carried cars however. All had a large ''B'' (hellenic) in propeller duct, first letter of Hellenic Hoverlines owner's surname.
Today however only SES vessels are in service, last real hovercrafts withdrew in 2000. Ionian Hoverlines had also 3 SR.N4 Mk2 in service, while first commercial SES entered service in 1989-90 (license built norwegian vessels). Competition was mainly Cometa and Kolhida hydrofoils (Ionian Flying Dolphins) and Italian RHS-160/RHS-200 from another company.
Armed ACV(HL)
Builder : Hellenic Hoverwork, Iolkos city*
Ships in Class : 12
Dimensions : 34.9m X 14.8m X 11.65m
Full displacement : 180 tn
Useful load (normal) : 60 tn
Propuslion : 4 X Allison 570KF (25,400 hp total)
Speed (calm water, 60 tn load) : >55kn
Range: 240nm at 55kn with 60tn load
Armament
2 X 30mm Gatling guns (6 x 30) with 2,000 rounds each
16 X 128 MRL (2 x 8, 64 rockets total with reloader)
2 X SADRAL (12 Mistral missiles)
Commercial ACV(HL) 35m
Builder : Hellenic Hoverwork, Iolkos*
Ships in Class : 4
Dimensions : 35.3 m X 14.5m X 11.65m
Full displacement : 150 tn
Useful load (normal) : 30 tn
Propulsion : 4 X Lycoming TF25 (10,000 hp total)
Speed (calm water, full passenger load) : >55kn
Range: 260nm at 50kn
*This is a real world ancient city near real Volos, for my scenario the ancient name re-introduced.