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Not to be confused with Puddle-class submarine in development.
The Puddle Class Helicopter Carrier was a Wiltshirian design for a class of two new conventional-powered helicopter carriers for the Wiltshire Navy. The plan was proposed in February 3020 following the re-formation of the Wiltshire Navy and was planned to begin construction in early April 3020.
The design was scrapped in later March, however, and was replaced by the Cassin Young Class. The design was shelved and the resources that were planned to go towards the two Puddle Classes were re-directed to a second Cassin Young Class, the Kitty Hawk.
The two proposed Puddle Class vessels were to be the NCB-11 WNS Puddle and the NCB-12 WNS Coleman. The names 'Puddle' and 'Coleman' were not used on the Cassin Young Class ships, but are expected to be recommissioned as Frigates.
History
he idea of a Wiltshirian aircraft carrier was first posed all the way back in 3017 with the Government's Defence Review. Defence Minister Jack Kinnock launched the review with the comment "Wiltshire's defence relies in her ability to command confidence on land, in the sea and in the air". This was a bold statement by the Minister, which was undercut by the review recommending that Wiltshire abolish its naval force. This was agreed by the National Assembly, seeking to make cuts in a time of economic instability, and by 3018 the last Wiltshire warship was decommissioned.
The review did, however, make the following comment;
"Though an Aircraft Carrier would considerably extend Wiltshire's militaristic capabilities, the cost of such a project is too high and made worse by the proposals for an overall reduction in naval capability due."
This was sidelined and the Government of the day did not take up the project. Later, in 3019, the Conservative Government of Samantha Schroder proposed a joint Novanite Federation Navy. Many believed that Wiltshire would be a prime candidate for the construction of such a navy which, some believed, would eventually include a new aircraft carrier. It did not, and with the Novanite Federation's fall the same year, the prospects of an aircraft carrier was increasingly less likely. This changed, however, when President Gaius Selan said in February 3020;
"Wiltshire's defence in this time of panic and danger around the world is paramount. That is why we will commission a new Wiltshire Navy. Sailors and shipmates will work together in the common defence of our country..."
This, followed by the Navy Act of 3020, founded the Wiltshire Navy. Later, in March 3020, it was announced that the new WNS Puddle and WNS Coleman would be a light helicopter carriers. The original plan was for these two small carriers to join the five Prince Class destroyers. However, the Puddle's construction was delayed and eventually cancelled. The Navy Admiralty Committee for the construction of new vessels announced on March 30 that the Puddle Class would be replaced by a new class of Supercarriers.
Arguments against the Puddle Class
The first and biggest argument against the construction of the two Puddle Class carriers was that they were not fit for purpose. While the re-construction of the Wiltshire Navy was going ahead, the Wiltshire Airforce was also re-developing and re-growing. The Airforce commissioned the F-136 "Hawk" fighter in March and the development of a new helicopter was looking more and more distant as the Jericho-Type Helicopters were re-ordered by the Airforce for another 6 month service.
This made the idea of a new class of Helicopter Carrier far less useful, given that the helicopters used weren't as crucial and weren't as advanced than the new F-136.
Furthermore, the Puddle Class was considered an expensive project. The plan was for it to cost almost 80% what the far larger and far more powerful Cassin Young Class, mostly due to the failed project to secure a new type of helicopter for the carrier. Construction for two of the ships would have cost the same as an additional supercarrier, and the Navy decided that the costs and benefits of this over the new supercarrier was not worth it.
Arguments for the Puddle Class
Eddington Naval Base was originally built and commissioned to hold the new Prince Class destroyers. This had the consequence of not being big enough to construct a Cassin Young Class. The biggest argument in favour of the Puddle Class was that no dock modifications were required for its construction.
However, the Navy Committee for the Construction of an Aircraft Carrier concluded that the cost would be worth it due to the increased capacity and abilities of Eddington Base for newer, larger ships.
Fate
Ultimately, the Puddle Class concept was decommissioned and the Navy invested heavily in the Cassin Young Class.