Type:
Displacement: Length: Beam: Draft: Propulsion: Speed: Range: Complement: C6ISR (Command) Systems Radar & Sensor Suites and Processing Systems Sonar Decoys & Protective Systems Armament: Aircraft carried: Boats Carried |
Minesweeper
2,800 tons 81.4 metres 17 metres 10 metres 3x Diesel-alternator set, 2x 1260kW and 1x 2520 kW 2x XHBE Electric Motors, rated at 1750kW 22+ knots 3,500 nautical miles at 15kn 63, plus up to 46 passengers Ship's Own Command Network (SOCN) - Internal Ship Automation & C2I Fleet Tactical Data Links (Link 11, Link 16, Link 22, JTID, JSAT) XCEC - Xuande-Xiphoi Cooperative Engagement Capability NS50 4D Air Search Radar Mirador Mk2- Electro-optical Surveillance & Fire Control System Sirius LR-IRST Long-Range Dual-Band Long-range Infrared Surveillance & Tracking Sensors Vessel Communications Suite, comprising: WSC-6 Satellite Communications HF, VHF, and UHF Radios WSC-6 Satellite Communications AN/SPQ-9B Surface Search & Fire Control Radar AN/URN-32 Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN) Radar AN/SPS-73(V) Navigation Radar AN/UPX-29 Interrogator Identify Friend or Foe System iXblue FLS 60 Forward Looking Obstacle Avoidance Sonar XX Naval Surface Ship Self-Defence Suite 7 (a.k.a. Self-Defence Suite 7) Air-Surface Defence Subsuite, comprising: Rheinmetall MASS In-Port Defence Subsuite, comprising: Boomerang Shot Detection System Barracuda Balls Light Position Armour System Long-Range Acoustic Device (LRAD) Crew-served Weapons Positions 1x V-200 Skeldar, with landing capacity for 1 medium helicopter 2x Inspector class USV 2x 7m RHIBs |
The Bǎoshēng Dàdì class Minesweeper is a mothership for mine clearance boats and unmanned vehicles, providing the XX Navy with a powerful mine countermeasures platform.
Unlike the predecessor class of vessel, which featured hulls made of a non‑magnetic glass‑reinforced composite material, the Bǎoshēng Dàdì will have all‑steel hulls. This is due to the switch to using a stand‑off MCM, in which the Bǎoshēng Dàdì class motherships send their drones into the mine field, instead of going in themselves. This enables the vessel to have steel hulls and conventional superstructures instead of composites and weight‑saving aluminium. The drones in use in Xuande-Xiphoian service are Inspector class Unmanned Surface Vessels, of which two are in use aboard each minesweeper. The USVs are based on the design of a commercial rescue vessel. The vessels are equipped with two 410-hp diesel engines allowing her to reach 25 knots. The overall length is 12 metres. It can operate in up to Sea State 5. For explosive resistance, the Inspector USV is equipped with foamed compartments, which makes it relatively unsinkable and therefore more resistant in case of mine explosions or heavy weather. The design is fully non-magnetic. Operation modes include autonomous, remoted and onboard steering modes. The vessel's endurance is up to 30 hours while operating within 12nm of the mothership or further using an unmanned aerial vehicle as a radio relay. The purpose of the drones is to undertake the core of the minehunting work with the support of an Intelligence Minesweeping & Navigation System; accordingly the USV is equipped with a mine avoidance sonar, or MOAS. The modular deck and 3‑tonne payload mean that the craft can be configured for a range of missions. For MCM missions, it can carry payloads including:
When not in operations, the drones and equipment is kept in their cradle and crane retrieval system inside the multi-mission space, under the protection of a retracting garage to keep the weather out. Using two independent systems allows continued operations even where one crane or USV is unserviceable. Nonetheless, the main ship may find itself in dangerous waters. For this reason the hulls are constructed of thick high‑yield steel, the compartment architecture optimised for survivability, and key items of equipment mounted on shock‑proof pads. These design choices ensure optimal protection in the event of a nearby explosion and enable the vessels to pursue their mission or survive in the event of a closer explosion.
Among other solutions to reduce underwater radiated noise, the ships are equipped with degaussing systems and anti‑vibration/shock mounts. The generation and modification of electric fields by the ships is attenuated using impressed current solutions and by actively earthing the propeller shafts while the propellers themselves will feature a special coating to reduce the impact of the vessel’s electric fields. Each ship will is equipped with a X.Electric mine avoidance sonar, or MOAS, to detect mines on its path during transits. In explosive survivability, it is K factor that quantifies the ship’s ability to withstand the detonation of a given mass of explosive at a given distance. While classified, these critical design requirements are broadly comparable to those for a state‑of‑the‑art frigate or similar combatant. The ship’s twin propeller shafts will be powered by a pair of electric motors, each rated at 1750kW, powered by three diesel‑alternator sets, one rated at 2520kW, the other two at 1260kW. This configuration improves the match between aship’s power needs and its generating capacity. The large diesel‑alternator set will be in one compartment and the other two in another. Each compartment will also house one electric motor. To meet the required redundancy in the event of a failure or flooding, one propeller shaft is longer than the other. The system is designed to offer a cruising speed of 15 knots in sea state 4 at 85% of the three diesels’ continuous combined power rating. This results in a range of 3500nm at 15kts. Command of the "E" Series vessel is designed to reduce the technical workload on sailors and naval service officers, allowing them to focus on the tactical and strategic fight ahead of them. Technology helps to achieve this mission, led from the ship's core command and control spaces, the Combat Information Centre (CIC) and the bridge. Connecting these spaces, and the whole ship, the command and control and operations of the vessel handled by the Ship's Own Command Network (SOCN) which utilises open architecture, standardised software, and rugged commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware. The Ship's Own Command Network (SOCN) is designed to bind all the vessels systems together, creating a shipboard enterprise network allowing seamless integration of all on-board systems. The network is makes use of the OMA Linux OS which is known for its ultra-stability, and viral resistance. Multiple embedded single board computers are placed throughout the vessel as well as three servers per zone. This allows for redundancy and task/load sharing. Are systems as well as data lines are shielded and armoured. The ship is equipped with the SEWACO XII combat data system, which has been cooperatively developed by the PMO and partner states. The SEWACO XII system is designed to work in tandem with the SOCN. The system uses asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network architecture. The integrated bridge and navigation system consists of multi-function consoles capable of displaying various functions such as Sensor matrix output, electronic chart display and information systems (ECDIS) and NautoConning navigation data which reads and displays in a logically arranged manner and distributes the navigation data. One of the consoles is dedicated for route planning purposes. The integrated bridge and navigation system encompasses the ship steering and control equipment, a ring-laser based dual MINS marine inertial navigation system, two data distribution units and a complete set of navigational sensors and meteorological equipment. A redundant laid out Ethernet bus configuration interconnects the multi-function consoles and sensors. The communications system has a high-capacity digital communications switch, which interconnects the voice and data communications channels. The system provides internal communications or open conference lines and access to external communications with various radio links and land-based networks. The upgradeable high-performance combat system is based on a high-speed data network. The combat system architecture will enable future weapon systems to be integrated into the frigates. The ship's standard external communications include Link 11, Link 16, Link 22, JTID and JSAT tactical data links, allowing full interoperability with allied forces. Internal communications include messaging, conventional and wireless telephony, public address, closed circuit television, and internet and intranet ports. The Combat Information Centre is able to perform tasks performed on the bridge where that space becomes unusable, but it is focused on its primary mission: commanding the warfighting ability of the ship. Aboard this vessel, it includes all the remote mine countermeasures operations. Previous iterations of combat vessels have established a trend for CICs to be dark and dreary places, with components and task areas crammed and strangely aligned, reflecting a series of 'bolt-on' changes over time. The new model The Advanced Integrated CIC utilised on these vessels features a 360-degree wall of video monitors, augmented reality, and large tactile tables for mission planning and other tasks. This allows the Operations Commander or the Principal Warfare Officer on duty to command from the room's centre, giving them full oversight of all systems as required. High ceilings provide multiple banks of screens which allows vessels to command strategic fleet missions in addition to their own requirements. The Bǎoshēng Dàdì class primarily utilises intelligence communicated from other vessels, but utilises a numberof its own sensors and complementary systems in addition. This includes the NS50 radar, a compact radar which provides software-defined, real 4D dual-axis multi-beam radar performance to smaller naval platforms. This system contributes to all-round defence but is particularly useful for monitoring the vessel’s mine countermeasures UAV. The vessel also has an extensive set of IR and Optical sensor systems, doubly effective against surface and aerial threats. These systems are for the most part installed on the top of superstructure for greater range of view but are also mounted in conjunction with the individual weapons stations to provide additional search, tracking and targeting capabilities. The primary system is the MSIS electro-optic surveillance and fire control system is fitted on the vessels, which contains an 8–12-micron thermal imager, TV camera and laser rangefinder. These units also contain a new third-generation thermal imager with increased sensitivity and resolution. These systems are the Mirador Mk2 and Mk20 EOSS electro-optical suite. To work in conjunction with the MSIS systems, Sirius LR-IRST long-range dual-band IRST long-range infra-red surveillance and tracking sensors are also installed. The Sirius are installed on top of the mast tower and provides additional horizon search capability against sea-skimming missiles, low flying aircraft, and small surface craft. Additional radars and sensors are installed for redundancy, utilising the exceptional amount of power generated on board. These include the:
The core part of the minesweeper’s sensor suite is its sonar and mine countermeasures suite. The mothership is equipped with an iXblue FLS-60 Forward Looking Sonar, which is used for Obstacle Avoidance. As a combat support vessel, this class does not have a major offensive weapons capability, as the platforms primary purpose is the demolition of sea mines, but the vessel does mount some self-defence weapons. For very close in defence, the ship is installed with a number of crew served weapons stations which have increased armour protection for crew safety:
Additional defensive features are employed in combat operations to protect the vessel, including:
Automation is an important aspect for life aboard these vessels. Aside from general software management and communication with other vessels via Link and other secure networking; supplies such as ammunition, food, and other stores, are all mounted in containers able to be struck below to magazine/storage areas by an automated cargo handling system. An advanced automated damage-control system combines sensors, cameras and automated firefighting capabilities to ensure that the vessel has the fastest possible response time to life- and ship- threatening events. This system improves survivability in both peacetime and wartime while reducing the number of crewmembers needed for damage control. Depending on the section and the extent of damage, the ships can deploy either a water spray/mist system or use a Halon/Nitrogen dump system to quell fires. The ship's construction is very much modular in design with each module being composed of various self-contained compartments. These compartments can be automatically or manually sealed off from the rest of the ship and can also be flooded with sea water. This flooding aids in fire control and can be used in the advent of imminent internal explosions to dampen the blasts by using the water to absorb the concussion as well as the water pressure reinforcing the strength of the compartment walls against the explosive force. One landing is located atop the multi-mission space, which can support up to one H225M Caracal helicopter. There is a recovery hangar for a V-200 Skeldar embarked on the vessel, however there is no hangar facility for larger aircraft. The landing area is equipped with Recovery Assist, Secure and Traverse (RAST) system which allows deployment and recovery in high sea states. Two boat handling positions are located fore of the multi-mission bay for two RHIBs, lowered on cranes, up to 7 metres in length. Accommodations for the ship's crew are sufficient for all crew members, meaning no sharing of "hot bunks.”. Each crewmember also has a larger locker than available on previous vessels, allowing more uniforms and personal gear to be taken to sea. Food aboard naval vessels is critical for morale and providing a good work environment for the culinary teams directly supports the whole crew. The galley has been designed to be easy to work in and is able to quickly prepare the Naval Service's recommended menu options. The nature of service on a nuclear-powered vessel, with the essentially unlimited ship's endurance, means that an exceptionally large storeroom is aboard the vessel and is used when long sailings are anticipated. Medical facilities aboard every vessel are held to the standards of Xuande-Xiphoian hospitals and have been designed to present the best clinical environment, with particular focus on being able to respond to the most dangerous injuries aboard warships. The vessel is equipped with a workout gymnasium with a variety of machines and weights available to crew members. The gym can accommodate weightlifting, cardio exercises, and boxing. Other facilities include a Ship's Shop which sells various goods, a Barber's Room where specially trained crewmembers serve on haircut duty. Crew lounges aboard, separated from the sleeping berths, feature flat screen TVs, comfortable chairs and tables. The lounges and berthings will be wired for Wi-Fi. TVs feature on-demand TV and streaming services. Across the ship, more thought and scientific research has been put into human design than on any previous vessels. Lighting serves to keep the crew in tune with the time of day at a proper warmth; hallways have been designed to be as wide as possible and to minimise physical hazards commonplace on ships. Air conditioning across the vessel keeps the ship at a tolerable heat, even in the harshest weather. Finally, for damage control, firefighting ensembles and gear are stored in larger repair lockers that have entrance and exit doors, eliminating the bottlenecks and collisions as sailors rush in and out during drills. Wider passageways also reduce the size of bottlenecks. |