VICE ADMIRAL (RETD) B.S. RANDHAWA
the large flight deck, capable of launching at least four types of missiles, an advanced gun system, firing 155mm long range land attack projectiles with GPS guidance at ranges of up to 100 miles (160 km), an integrated power system for providing propulsion and ship service energy, and an integrated composite deckhouse for enhanced stealth. The wave piercing hull form is intended to enhance platform stability. In mid-2009, a decision was taken to construct only three DDG1000 ships, and instead, to build additional DDG-51 Arleigh Burke class destroyers. This decision is reported to be the outcome of a fresh assessment of the future threat environment which had revealed the need for ships capable of ballistic missile defence and blue water antisubmarine warfare (ASW). The decision was rather surprising in view of the fact that only a little while earlier, the US Navy, had argued strongly in favour of the DDG-1000 project. A total of about $13 billion (Rs 59,100 crore) in development and procurement costs has been provided for the DDG-1000 programme since its inception. After removing R&D costs, a cost figure of $2 billion (Rs 9,000 crore) per ship has been indicated, but there is a concern that this could rise further.
T
Abbreviations & Index toward rear of yearbook
he turn of this decade is an appropriate point in time to review new concepts and technologies that had appeared over the horizon at the turn of the millennium and take stock of their status. However, covering the entire spectrum of naval technologies would be a monumental exercise. Hence the current focus is confined to ‘concepts’, major sensors and principal platform technologies.
Concepts DDG-1000 One of the most revolutionary concepts, conceived in the mid-1990s, was the so-called ‘Arsenal’ ship of the US Navy, later known as DD-21, and now as DDG-1000. These ‘Zumwalt’ class destroyers are intended to be capable of operating in littoral waters and providing gunfire support far inshore, in addition to being armed with a full suite of missiles. From an originally conceived number of 50 ships, building of a class of seven ships was planned. The ship, with its path-breaking tumblehome hull design, was intended to form the basis for the design of the new CG(X) cruiser. Among the new technologies embodied in the design are the dual band multifunction radar, a high/medium frequency bow mounted sonar and a multifunction towed array, optimised for operation in littoral waters, a vertical launch system located along the peripheral edges of
Littoral Combat Ship
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The US Navy’s littoral combat ship (LCS) represents a dramatic change in operational concepts and in platform design and performance. It represents a totally new approach to the way in which warships are being built and operated. Intended to operate in littoral waters, its specification required a platform with displacement less than 3,000 tonnes, a speed of at last 40 knots at sea state 3 (desired 50 knots), a payload of
77 SP's MILITARY YEARBOOK | 2009-2010 | 39th Year of Issue
WEAPONS EQUIPMENT VEHICLES CONCEPTS & PERSPECTIVES TECHNOLOGY BUSINESS
INDIAN DEFENCE
The pace of innovation in surface warship design and related technologies would increase in future and the ‘concept to proven product’ loop would be shortened. For technology buffs, it promises and upholds exciting times ahead.
ASIAN WHO’S WHO
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New Concepts & Technologies
REGIONAL BALANCE
4 Warships Surface
CONTENTS
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