Arapaho Merchant/ASW Carrier
Arapaho was a US Navy research and development project to demonstrate the feasibility of equipping merchant ships with emergency aviation support in wartime, to operate ASW helicopters and other combatant aircraft. Naval Air Systems Command developed a portable, modularized aviation facility intended for installation aboard container ships. It could be installed in less than twenty-four hours and included all components necessary for aircraft operations: flight deck, hangar, fuel, and crew accommodations. The system is well described in this period article: https://www.csmonitor.com/1981/0106/010636.html
Several trial units were procured and at sea testing was completed in October 1982. One unit was leased to the Royal Navy, to convert MS Astronomer into the helicopter support ship RFA Reliant, which was in service from 1983 to 1986.
- 20 modified Lancer class merchants, with Arapaho hangar and fully functional flight deck
- Each ship comes with a custom airwing, featuring reserve SH-2 and SH-3 squadrons (the latter from the expanded SH-3H squadrons mod)
- A sample mission titled ‘Arapaho Encounter’, which pits a Arapaho escorted convoy and small US Task Group against prowling Soviet submarines. The scenario was inspired by Chapter Five of "Anti-Submarine Warfare" by Rear Admiral J.R. Hill.
