SNA 2018

[Zarvan]

 

[Zarvan]

https://twitter.com/x/status/950767399522963457

https://twitter.com/x/status/950767405520875521

https://twitter.com/x/status/951167726860623872

https://twitter.com/x/status/950971798753038336

SNA 2018: Lockheed Martin Unveils its FFG(X) Frigate Design



At the Surface Navy Association's (SNA) 2018 National Symposium currently held near Washington DC, Lockheed Martin unveiled the design of the frigate it is proposing for the U.S. Navy FFG(X) requirement.

Lockheed Martin "Freedom-Variant" Frigate unveiled at SNA 2018

The US Department of Defense released a Request for Information (RFI) in July 2017 to let the industry know what the U.S. Navy is expecting from the Fast Frigate, Guided (Experimental) or FFG(X). The RFI says, "A competition for FFG(X) is envisioned to consider existing parent designs for a Small Surface Combatant that can be modified to accommodate the specific capability requirements prescribed by the US Navy."

The U.S. Navy wants a frigate that can keep up with carrier strike groups as well as conduct missions on its own. “The FFG(X) will normally aggregate into strike groups and Large Surface Combatant led surface action groups but also possess the ability to robustly defend itself during conduct of independent operations while connected and contributing to the fleet tactical grid.” The U.S. Navy expects the frigate to be survivable in complex scenarios: "FFG(X) will perform its missions in complex electronic warfare and anti-ship missile threat environments".

Lockheed Martin "Freedom-Variant" Frigate unveiled at SNA 2018

The new Frigate would likely replace the troubled, very modular, Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) for typical "frigate missions". The U.S. Navy is requesting the FFG(X) to conduct the following missions:
- Over the horizon anti-surface warfare (ASuW )
- Anti-submarine warfare (ASW)
- Independently escort logistics ship convoys
- Electronic warfare (EW)
- Electronic signals intelligence and collection (ELINT)

The frigate displacement wasn't mentioned in the RFI, but it is likely to be comprised between 4000 tons (if the design is to stay as close as possible to the LCS) and in excess of 6000 tons (in view of the requirements set by the U.S. Navy, which is particularly interested on how the shipbuilders can fit VLS for ESSM and Standard Missiles and how many).

The U.S. Navy intends to award a Detail Design and Construction contract for the first FFG(X) in 2020. The full RFI can be found at this link.

Lockheed Martin "Freedom-Variant" Frigate unveiled at SNA 2018

Lockheed Martin latest Frigate design is based on the Freedom-class Littoral Combat Ship (LCS). No one at Lockheed Martin was willing to discuss design details with Navy Recognition at SNA 2018, however it is our understanding that this frigate uses the 125 meters hull of an earlier design unveiled at DSEI 2017 (for comparison, the LCS measures 115 meters in length). We were told during DSEI 2017 that the crew complement of the 125m vessel was 130 sailors (compared to a crew of 65 sailors on the LCS).

Lockheed Martin "Freedom-Variant" Frigate unveiled at SNA 2018

The scale model unveiled at SNA 2018 features 8x anti-ship missiles fitted forward, below the bridge. Moving away from the bridge and toward the bow there 16x Mk 41 VLS cells for ESSM and/or Standard Missiles. There are also two spaces intended for Surface to Surface Missile Module (SSMM) with Longbow Hellfire missiles similar to what is fitted aboard LCS (those are intended to counter swarm attacks). The main gun is a BAE Systems Bofors Mk110 57mm as per the RFI.

Lockheed Martin "Freedom-Variant" Frigate unveiled at SNA 2018

Compared to the Freedom-class, the bridge and superstructre of the frigate have been completely redesigned. The bridge face is less slanted / more vertical and the superstructure forms three steps, the last one being significantly higher. This is to accommodate Raytheon's Enterprise Air Surveillance Radar (EASR). There four Nulka decoy launchers directly on top of the bridge. SEWIP electronic warfare antennas are fitted on the port and starboard sides of the main mast structure. Two larger antennas of unknown type are fitted directly above the SEWIP.

Lockheed Martin "Freedom-Variant" Frigate unveiled at SNA 2018

The funnels are hidden deep inside the main structure. This is likely to lower the infra-red signature of the ship. Another explanation could be that the structure was raised in order to accommodate the EASR arrays.

Lockheed Martin "Freedom-Variant" Frigate unveiled at SNA 2018

As we progress towards the stern of the ship, note the presence of a laser weapon system on the starboard side of the ship. There is a SeaRAM launcher on top of the helicopter hangar as per the Navy RFI.

Lockheed Martin "Freedom-Variant" Frigate unveiled at SNA 2018

The propulsion system remains unchanged with 4x waterjets. However we noted one last addition on the frigate's hull: the presence of bilge keels. They increase hydrodynamic resistance to rolling, making the ship roll less. Bilge keels are passive stability systems.

Lockheed Martin launched a "Frigate" page on its website for SNA 2018. Little information is provided except for this text:

With rapidly evolving threats, world markets need to confront different types of bulls and bears. That’s why Lockheed Martin is evolving its Freedom-variant ship design to confront modern threats to maritime and economic security. The Freedom-variant Frigate offers planners and commanders the strength and affordability needed to rapidly rebuild the U.S. Navy fleet and guarantee freedom of the seas for decades to come.

Lockheed partners for this project include Fincantieri Marinette Marine and Gibbs & Cox.

https://www.navyrecognition.com/ind...-martin-unveils-its-ffg-x-frigate-design.html

SNA 2018: Lockheed Martin Showcasing Royal Saudi Navy MMSC


At the Surface Navy Association's (SNA) 2018 National Symposium currently held near Washington DC, Lockheed Martin is showcasing a new scale model representative of the Multi-Mission Surface Combatant (MMSC) recently procured by Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).

The Royal Saudi Navy MMSC on Lockheed Martin stand at SNA 2018

On May 22nd 2017, the KSA expressed its intent to procure more than $28 billion worth of Lockheed Martin integrated air and missile defense, combat ship, tactical aircraft and rotary wing technologies and programs. The agreement includes four MMSC based on the Freedom-class LCS Lockheed Martin’s industry team is building for the U.S. Navy. The four vessels are part of a modernization program for the Royal Saudi Navy's eastern fleet called SNEP II (Saudi Naval Expansion Program).

Back in October 2015, the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced via press release that the U.S. State Department gave its green light for a proposed sale to Saudi Arabia of four MMSC Ships.

From left to right: Decoy launchers, 2x Nexter Narwhal 20mm RWS, 8x Harpoon anti-ship missiles, Saab CEROS 200 FCR, Raytheon SeaRAM and 12.7mm weapon station (manned).

The model on display at SNA 2018 is a new one reflecting the latest and final configuration selected by the Saudi Navy:
- A BAE Systems Bofors 57mm main (while an earlier design was fitted with an Oto Melara 76mm main gun),
- 8x MK41 VLS cells placed forward ahead of the bridge (2x8 cells used to be placed on each side of the helicopter hangar in the earlier design)
- 8x Harpoon anti-ship missiles (in two launchers),
- A Raytheon SeaRAM launcher on top of the helicopter hangar,
- 2x Nexter Narwhal 20mm remote weapon stations (these were Mk38 turrets in a previous scale model unveiled at SNA 2016 however the DSCA release mentionned Nexter's Narwhal 20mm RWS as early as 2015).

Two triple torpedo launchers present on the 2016 scale model appear to have been removed on the final MMSC design.

Head on view of the MMSC for the Royal Saudi Navy.

In terms of sensor systems, two CEROS 200 radar and optronic tracking fire control director by Saab are fitted: One forward (on top of the deck house) and the other one back aft, between the harpoon launchers and the SeaRAM system.The main radar system is an Hensoldt (formerly Airbus D&S) TRS-4D AESA Radar. Other sensors likely include a Variable Depth Sonar (likely Thales CAPTAS type), Argon ST WBR-2000 Electronic Support Measure and Threat Warning System. The combat management system is set to be similar to the one fitted onboard the Freedom class LCS: The COMBATSS-21 by Lockheed Martin.

The KSA flag on the MMSC.

Below the helicopter deck is a mission bay area with built in modularity. Hull size and shape, propulsion system, power output, helicopter hangar etc remain unchanged compared to the U.S. Navy Freedom class LCS.

The deal signed in 2017 also include spares, training and other logistics items for the program. A Memorandum of Understanding between Lockheed Martin and Saudi Arabian Military Industries for the parties to work together to build defense capabilities in the KSA to support Vision 2030 and provide for localization efforts associated with Multi-mission Surface Combatants was signed as well.

https://www.navyrecognition.com/ind...evelop-surface-warfare-payloads-for-cusv.html

 

[Hassan Guy]

yo whats with Russian and Chinese ships having Anti-ship missiles launched vertically yet the US and Europe keep the quad cell launchers