Type:
Displacement: Length: Beam: Propulsion: Speed: Range: Endurance: Complement: C6ISR (Command) Systems Radar & Sensor Suites and Processing Systems Decoys & Protective Systems Armament: Aviation facilities: |
Light Multirole Combatant
Up to 750 tonnes, mission equipment depending 70 metres 25 metres 2x Wärtsilä 7L46F enginers producing 8400 bkW each 2x shaft to two fixed pitch propellers 2x 120 ekW, electrically driven 30+ knots 6000nm at 20 knots 20 days with 15 crew 15, excluding mission crew 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 SMART-S Mk2 Air Search Radar Mirador Mk2- Electro-optical Surveillance & Fire Control System Mk 20 EOSS Electroopical Gun Checksight & Targeting Sensor 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 Aviation Sensor Suites, comprising: LAMPS III Equipped Helicopters Shipboard Electronic Warfare Subsystem, comprising: AN/SLQ-59 TEWM and/or AN/SLQ-32(V)7 SEWIP Block III XX Naval Surface Ship Self-Defence Suite 7 (a.k.a. Self-Defence Suite 7) Submarine Defence Subsuite, comprising: AN/SLQ-25 Nixie Towed Torpedo Decoy Air-Surface Defence Subsuite, comprising: Rheinmetall MASS Nulka Air Launched Decoy ADS103 Air Launched RF Air Decoy FDS3 Inflating Ship Decoy System In-Port Defence Subsuite, comprising: Boomerang Shot Detection System Barracuda Balls Light Position Armour System Long-Range Acoustic Device (LRAD) 3x Mk44 30mm Cannon Landing facility for helicopter -10.5 tons 1x V-200 Skeldar |
The Ekdromoi class of light multirole combatants are a highly modern class of light combatants, designed to achieve a multitude of combat and combat support missions in Xuande-Xiphoian and international waters. Roll-on, containerised mission equipment is used to maximise the capacity of these small ships.
A variety of mission equipment can be rolled-on in standard sized containers – facilitating easy air and land transport to port facilities - which may include:
These vessels utilise a lightweight hull material is a sandwich construction comprising a PVC core with a carbon fibre and vinyl laminate as well as multiple layers of Kevlar. The material provides high strength and rigidity, low weight, good shock resistance, low radar and magnetic signature provide a high degree of protection to the ship systems and crew. The design of the ship incorporates stealth features with an emphasis on the reduction of radar cross section, infrared, acoustic, electrical and magnetic signatures. Altogether, the design minimizes the optical and infrared signature, above water acoustic and hydro acoustic signature, underwater electrical potential and magnetic signature, pressure signature, radar cross section and actively emitted signals. To aid in reducing detection by radar, large portions of the vessels above water surfaces have been covered with RAM (Radar Absorbing Material) tiles. Layered in the hull material is an electromagnetic absorbing mesh. This mesh serves multiple roles. The first is to absorb EM leakage from the vessel systems to help prevent passive ESM detection of the vessel. The second, and most vital role is the protection of the vessel from EMP effects. The mesh absorbs the EMP energy which is converted to heat and transferred to the below waterline heat sink system where it is dissipated. The mesh will absorb a large percentage of the EMP effects and will allow the vessel to remain combat functional. Requirements for the integrated deckhouse EDM is that it is fully EMC (electromagnetic compatibility) shielded with reduced infrared and radar signatures. Measures to fulfil these conditions include an all-composite superstructure, low signature electronically steered arrays, an integrated multi-function mast and low radar and infrared signatures. Constructed of rugged, lightweight composites, the angular deckhouse increases stealth by minimizing radar reflectance. The surfaces of the deckhouse incorporate all radar apertures and communication antennas, eliminating high-profile masts and rotating antennas. The trimaran design maximises stability of the small vessel, while also increasing available mission deck space. 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 located rear of the bridge, with operational command over the mission elements, weapons, and intelligence. This bridge is space-constrained and is closer in design to traditional bridges, and has enhanced armour and NBC protection. As a small vessel with more limited power load than the larger “E” Series vessels, sensors are often part of the mission specific equipment with some permanent fixtures. The main radar, at the top of the mast, is the SMART-S Mk2 air search radar. SMART-S Mk2 is a naval 3D air and surface surveillance radar operating in E/F-band. The multi-beam concept creates a long time-on-target resulting in excellent performance over the whole coverage. Pulse-Doppler processing enables fast target track initiation and stealth target detection, even in a cluttered environment. The use of solid-state transmitters extends the system reliability and allows for graceful degradation. Degradation consists of a mix of sea, land, islands, coastal rains and thunderstorms and a multiple of radar targets including small surface targets, helicopters and anti-ship missiles. Furthermore, SMART-S Mk2 is designed to match the full performance of surface to air missiles (SAM), such as the Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) – this range can exceed 250km. SMART-S Mk2 is extremely suitable as the main air and surface surveillance radar in a one radar concept for small vessels. 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 other purposes. These include the:
Electronic Warfare Defence and Operations are also important in modern warfare, and this vessel utilises a limited variant of the AN/SLQ-32(V)7 SEWIP Block III. While various weapons can be utilised from this platform, some defence and combat systems are hard-equipped to the vessel Three Mk44 30mm cannons, remotely controlled from the combat bridge, are installed. One is forward, above the wheelhouse; the others are mounted on the rear of the helicopter landing area, with arcs of fire on the port and starboard for 360-degree coverage. Additional defensive features are employed in combat operations to protect the vessel, including:
Additional mission modules can be used to add additional combat capability to these vessels. 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. The large landing area, which is also used as a mission space, can land up to a single medium helicopter up to a weight of 10.5 tonnes. The vessel embarks a V-200 Skeldar drone as standard, moved by elevator from the multi-mission space under the landing pad. Below the rear container storage area at the hull waterline, recovery and launch facilities exist for a Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat with a maximum length of 20 feet. Additionally, the space between the external hulls of the trimaran and the main hull, both at port and starboard, are fitted with automated launch and recovery systems allowing operations with RIBs or other types of surface or undersea systems, manned or autonomous. Crew accommodations are sufficient for the manning of 15 personnel, including two officers and one enlisted chief of the boat – these three officers are entitled to a small stateroom on the vessel. The remainder of the crew are accommodated in three four-berth berthings. The vessel has a galley and culinary specialist embarked, with dry and freezer stores. A sick bay with important medical capability is aboard the vessel, with a specialist naval medical attendant embarked. Exercise aboard the vessel is taken on the main deck or in the multi mission space. A crew lounge, separated from the sleeping berths, features a flat screen TV, comfortable chairs and tables. The lounges and berthings are wired for Wi-Fi. TVs feature on-demand TV and streaming services. 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. In Xuande-Xiphoian service, care is taken to ensure deployments do not stretch to long periods. Typically, sailings aboard this vessel involve a period of two weeks deployed, with one week shore following. |