OVERVIEW: The Resolve-class aka Asterix Interim Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment (IAOR) vessel is a retrofit of the MS Asterix container vessel, intended to provide underway replenishment capability with a secondary mission of supporting disaster/humanitarian missions. 

DETAIL: The Resolve-class ship is intended to provide underway replenishment (RAS) of ammunition, fuel, dry stores, aviation support, medical and humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief in a "no threat" environment.

The Resolve-class IAOR is a commercial container vessel retro-fitted to military standards.  The class is a double-hull design. Four STREAM-type replenishment-at-sea masts are installed to simultaneously RAS two ships.

Aviation facilities include a flight deck and two hangers for the embarked CH-148 helicopters.  Helicopters up to CH-47 size can be embarked.

The Resolve can embark up to 8 assorted small craft (4x RHIB, 2x Fast Rescue Craft, 2x Lifeboats, 2x LCVP) for personal and logistics transfer.

The vessel can transport 10,500m³ of marine diesel fuel, 1,300m³ of F44 aviation fuel, 400t/day of fresh water and 300t of ammunition. A containerized storage area can hold up to 38 containers (20 refrigerated) of supplies. The containers can be loaded or unloaded using two 30-ton cargo cranes. It also has a vehicle bay and transport trucks, light armored vehicles, and jeeps.

To support humanitarian operations, the vessel can accommodate up to 350 personnel, in addition to its 150 man crew, and has hospital facilities for 60 patients up to Role 2 (advanced resuscitation and surgery, but limited) standards. Its accommodation section has space for briefing, and conference rooms for command and control functions.

Specifications: 	182.5m Length, 25.2m Beam(width)
Displacement: 		26,000t (full)
Speed: 			22kts
Machinery: 		MAN 7S60 MC-C Mk8, 16,660 kW (22,340 hp), 1 fixed prop,  bow 						thruster
Endurance: 		10,000nm
Complement: 		150, +350 pax
Armament: 		None fitted.  Can be armed with 3 × Phalanx CIWS
Hulls built: 		1
Period of Service:	 2018-


NOTES: IOC: 2018.  The IAOR is intended as a gap-fill until the RCAN commissions the two Protecteur (Berlin) class JSS Joint Support Ship currently building.

SOURCES:
Royal Canadian Navy, "Interm Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment Ship," https://www.navy-marine.forces.gc.ca/assets/NAVY_Internet/docs/en/news/rcn_iaor-fs_eng.pdf
"MV Asterix." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Last modified May 30, 2021. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MV_Asterix. ; Pike, John. "MV Asterix / Project Resolve." GlobalSecurity.org. Last modified February 8, 2018. https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/canada/hmcs-aor-asterix-specs.htm. ; "Project Resolve." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Last modified November 28, 2015. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Resolve. ;"Resolve Class AOR." Federal Fleet Services. Last modified June 2, 2016. https://federalfleet.ca/2016/06/02/resolve-class-aor/. ;"Resolve Class Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment (AOR) Vessel." Naval Technology | Naval Defence News & Views Updated Daily. Last modified February 19, 2018. https://www.naval-technology.com/projects/resolve-class-auxiliary-oiler-replenishment-aor-vessel/.

Author: cdnice