all managed by an upgraded Canadian CMS 330 combat management system and a 32-cell Mk41 VLS capable to handle Standard 2 and Tomahawk missiles.
The joint Netherlands/Belgium programme The joint Netherlands/Belgium shipbuilding programme to procure four new frigates to replace the two navies’ in service M-frigates has achieved a major milestone with the announcement last June of the acquisition process’ investigation/ research phase completion. Under the Netherlands MoD-led joint M-frigate replacement (Vervanging M-fregatten – vMFF) programme, the two navies, MoDs and industry have agreed on the general characteristics and capabilities of the new design. The programme is now entering the procurement preparation phase with the aim to sign a contract by late 2021. The latter award is to be followed by a detailed design phase, which will require approximately two years, more than initially planned. As a result, the delivery of the first-of-class ship was postponed from 2025 to 2027. The MoD-led integration and test activities will lead to the ship handover to the Royal Netherlands Navy in 2028 followed by the second in 2029. The two Belgian Navy frigates are to be delivered within 2030. The longer-than-planned project reconciliation process with Damen and Thales Nederland support, weighing requirements, budget and planning, led to a platform design with 133 meters length and circa 5,500 tonnes displacement, characterized by extensive automation for a 110 core crew and additional accommodations for 40 mission-specific personnel. With ASW being the main mission, the ship will be equipped with hull-mounted and towed low-frequency active sonars, new MK 54 lightweight torpedoes, and the NH90 helicopter with full ASW suite and weapons. The new frigate will also have a robust surface warfare capability centered on new Above Water Warfare System (AWWS) under development by Thales Netherlands together with EW and panoramic electro-optical suites. The AWWS combines a dual-band (X/Sband) radar suite with an advanced software in an integrated fire-control suite capable to manage the Raytheon ESSM Block 2 local area missile system, to be launched by a 16-cell VLS for a total of 64 effectors. The ship will be armed with a single Leonardo 76/62 medium-caliber gun (selected due to its provision for guided ammunition) with Thales Nederland Pharos FCS, in addition to a
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EDR | November/October 2020
remote-controlled heavy gun and light machine guns, with images showing the Leonardo Marlin 40 mm mount and Thales Nederland Mirador Mk2. Other equipment includes the successor to the Goalkeeper ILDS (images show the RAM system and the 76/62 ‘Single Deck’ version, the latter with Strales/Vulcano guided ammunitions capability) and a new maritime surface-to-surface missile to replace the current Harpoon, both under separate procurement projects. Growth potential includes DEW and provision for unmanned system operations and support.
Spain
The Spanish Navy’s F110 frigate programme for the design and construction of five new multipurpose combatant platforms is to launch the construction phase to allow first-of-class delivery in 2026. © Navantia
With the Spanish MoD’s contract award to Navantia shipbuilding group in April 2019, followed by Parliament approval of initial funding release in November last year, the €4.3 billion Spanish Navy’s F110 frigate programme for the design and construction of five new multipurpose combatant platforms under Navantia’s ‘Shipyard 4.0’ project, is waiting the launch of the construction phase. The latter will lead to the first-of-class ship delivery in
The F110 frigate’s combat system was developed by Indra and is based on an evolved SCOMBA CMS, with integration between AAW weapons and sensors suite through the so-called US International AEGIS Fire Control Loop. © Navantia