View source for Griffon Hoverwork 2000TD

{{Short description|Light-weight hovercraft}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
| Ship image               = File:PA Griffon 2000TDX Mk II, 2006, inflated.JPG
| Ship caption             = A Griffon 2000TDX Mk II hovercraft, ''Christina'', of the Lithuanian State Border Police in 2006
}}
{{Infobox ship class overview
| Builders                 = [[Griffon Hoverwork]], [[United Kingdom]]
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{{Infobox ship characteristics
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| Ship type                = Hovercraft
| Ship tonnage             =
| Ship displacement        =*3.5 tons (civilian)
*6.8 tons (military)
| Ship length              = 11.7 metres
| Ship beam                = 5.9 metres
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| Ship propulsion          = 1 Deutz diesel engine 350 horsepower for lift and propulsion
| Ship speed               = 35 knots (at sea state 3)
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| Ship crew                = 3 (minimum 1)
| Ship notes               = 20 Passengers
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|}
[[File:Auckland International Airport Emergency Services Hovercraft - Flickr - 111 Emergency.jpg|thumb|Griffon 2000 of Auckland International Airport Emergency Services in 2009]]
[[File:Försvarets svävare 2000 nr 302 utanför Ornö augusti 2014, video.webm|thumb|Griffon 2000 operated by [[Swedish Amphibious Corps]] in 2014]]
The '''Griffon 2000''' series is a light-weight [[hovercraft]] built in the [[United Kingdom]] by [[Griffon Hoverwork]] and used principally by military and rescue organisations.
==Background==
Griffon Hoverwork (GHL) of [[Hythe, Hampshire|Hythe]], [[England]] has designed, manufactured and operated hovercraft for over 40 years.
GHL was the first manufacturer to use turbo-diesel engines on hovercraft, which increases durability compared to conventional petrol engines when exposed to [[seawater|salt water]] conditions. The company produces an extensive range of hovercraft, with payloads between 0.38 and 12 tonnes.<ref name="Griffon"/>
==Configuration==
The 2000 series was introduced in the early 1990s. The 2000TD series is slightly smaller than the older [[SR.N6]] popular with commercial and military services during the 1970s, and has largely replaced the older SR.N6 series in most of these roles. Because it is constructed almost entirely out of aluminium the 2000TDX is less than half the weight of the older SR.N6 hovercraft.
The 2400TD was designed in 2008 due to the popularity of the 2000 series. It has greater obstacle clearance, is capable of carrying a higher payload, and can reach higher speeds than the previous craft.
==Commercial use==
For eight years GHL operated a passenger service up and down the [[River Thames]] in London, and hovercraft were the only vehicles allowed to operate at high speed along the river, as they produce very little wash or wake.
[[Hovertravel]] currently uses a Griffon Hoverwork designed 12000TD craft to provide a passenger route between [[Southsea]], [[Portsmouth]] and [[Ryde]], [[Isle of Wight]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Southsea to Ryde hovercraft back in use after breakdowns |work=BBC News |date=28 October 2017 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-41788041|accessdate=4 January 2020}}</ref>
Société des Traversiers du Québec in [[Québec, Canada]] was provided in 2012 with a 2000TD to operate a passenger service between [[Pakuashipi, Quebec|Pakuashipi]] and [[Saint-Augustin, Côte-Nord, Quebec|Saint-Augustin]] during the periods the ice bridge linking the two communities is not open.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.traversiers.gouv.qc.ca/flotte/vca_lesprit-de-pakuashipi.php|title=VCA L'Esprit-de-Pakuashipi - Nos navires - Société des traversiers du Québec|work=gouv.qc.ca|accessdate=8 August 2016}}</ref>
==Military use==
[[File:Royal Marine Hovercraft on Patrol in Iraq MOD 45142903.jpg|thumb|Royal Marine Hovercraft on Patrol in Iraq]]
Griffon Hoverwork hovercraft have been purchased by several armies, navies and paramilitary organisations throughout the World, and several remain on order. The hovercraft can be configured to carry troops or cargo, with optional extras such as armoured glass and ballistic protection.
* [[Belgian Army]]: 1 craft. Acquired in 1995. Exposed cargo deck only. Used for drone recovery and artillery range patrol. No weapons. Radical Decca, I-band radar.
** Barbara A 999
* [[Colombian Naval Infantry]]: 8 craft.<ref name="BBC 2013-07-03"/>
** ARC 331
** ARC 332
** ARC 333
** ARC 334
** ARC 335
** ARC 336
** ARC 337
** ARC 338
* [[Estonia]]n Border Guard: 1 craft. Acquired in 1999. Capable of transporting 16 troops or 2 tons of equipment.
** PVH 1
* [[Finland]]: Border Guard: 7 craft.<ref name="Raja"/> First craft acquired on 1 December 1994. Third craft acquired June 1995. Can be embarked in an [[Landing Craft Utility|LCU]]. Similar configuration to Estonian craft.
* [[Lithuania]]n Border Police: 1 craft. Acquired in 2000. Similar configuration to Estonian craft. Furuno 1000C, I-band radar.
** Christina
*[[Pakistan Marines]]: 4 craft
* [[Peruvian Navy]]: 7 craft
* [[Border Guard (Poland)|Polish Border Guard]]
** SG-411
** SG-412
* [[Swedish Coast Guard]]: First military version of the 2000TD series to be constructed. 2 crafts in operation delivered in 1993 (KVB 592) and 2011 (KVB 590). Similar configuration to Estonian craft. Furuno 7010D, I-band radar.
** KBV 590, based in [[Luleå]]
** KBV 592, based in [[Umeå]]
* [[Swedish Navy]]: 3 craft
** 302
** 303
** 304
* [[United Kingdom]]: British [[Royal Marines]]: 4 craft [[LCAC (United Kingdom)|LCAC(L)]].
** C 21
** C 22
** C 23
** C 24
==Specifications==
* Designer / Manufacturer: Griffon Hovercraft Ltd.
* Crew 3
* Dimensions
** Length 11.7 metres
** Width 5.9 metres
** full load displacement 3.5 tons
* Propulsion
** Motor: [[diesel engine]]
** Power: 1 [[Deutz AG|Deutz]] diesel engine 350 horsepower for lift and propulsion
** Propellers: 1 three-bladed [[Variable-pitch propeller (aeronautics)|variable-pitch propeller]]
* Performance
** Speed 35 knots (at [[sea state]] 3)
** Range 450 miles at 35 knots
** Military Lift:
* Weapons
** 1 [[M2 Browning|M2HB]] [[machine gun]] (not on Belgian craft)
* [[Radar]]
** Navigation: Various; [[I-band]]
==References==
{{reflist|refs=
<ref name="Griffon">
[http://www.griffonhoverwork.com/products-services/product-range.aspx Griffon Hoverwork Product Range]
</ref>
<ref name="BBC 2013-07-03">
{{cite news
| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-23163860
| title = Colombia forces in hovercraft boost
| last = Gardner
| first = Frank
| date = 3 July 2013
| publisher = BBC News
| accessdate = 2013-07-07
}}
</ref>
<ref name="Raja">{{cite web
| url = http://www.raja.fi/the_border_guard/the_border_guard_s_vessels_and_aircraft
| title = Finnish Border Guard's vessels and aircraft
| publisher = Rajavartiolaitos
| accessdate = 2013-07-07
| archive-date = 27 April 2017
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170427234807/http://www.raja.fi/the_border_guard/the_border_guard_s_vessels_and_aircraft
| url-status = dead
}}</ref>
}}
;General
* Saunders, Stephen (RN) ''Jane's Fighting Ships 2003-2004'' {{ISBN|0-7106-2546-4}}
==External links==
{{commons category|Griffon 2000TD}}
* [http://www.griffonhoverwork.com/products-services/product-range/2000td.aspx 2000TD product page at Griffon Hoverwork]
* [http://www.griffonhoverwork.com/products-services/product-range/2400td.aspx 2400TD product page at Griffon Hoverwork]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Griffon 2000td Hovercraft}}
[[Category:Hovercraft]]
[[Category:Landing craft]]
[[Category:Military hovercraft]]
[[Category:Articles containing video clips]]