Naval Craft, Weapon and Sensor Systems

Abstract

The article provides an inside view on trends in technology of current and future naval construction programmes as seen by Lürssen, the German shipyard for naval vessels located in Bremen, Germany. The changing operational requirements recognised in many western European and overseas navies focus on a surface combatant such as a corvette-sized ship with advanced capabilities to meet the specific demands for littoral warfare operations. Based on these new requirements the article outlines technologies in current and future designs for Corvetteand Frigatesized ships. It includes different types of platforms together with their specific benefits and capabilities for the intended employment in littoral warfare. In addition, measures to reduce the ship’s signatures for enhanced survivability are broadly discussed. With respect to adequate sea-keeping, manoeuvrability, speed and endurance (properties) in the littoral environment, the article also expands on the development and characteristics of new propulsion systems emphasising the overall need for a high degree of automation in all system components. The discussion on modern combat system technology once again underlines the need for a modular and flexible system design with open system architecture. The highest possible level of system automation reducing the number of personnel in the CIC and ensuring immediate reaction in a threat scenario is a further topic. Full integration of all sensors and weapons coupled with proven operational software is the essential technical requirement in this context. Finally, the article comments on some economical aspects of current building philosophies touching thereby on possibilities for crew reduction, costs reduction, potential capabilities for midlife refit, and growth potential. The overall issue of ―Transforming the Bulgarian Navy‖ is aimed at a permanent adaptation of Bulgarian Naval Forces to achieve high performance standards and combat effectiveness to meet the requirements of maritime warfare in the 21 st century including those of interoperability and joint forces operations. This article on ―Technologies for Advanced Naval Capabilities‖ has been developed from a leading modern shipyard’s point of view, based on some essential convictions:  A glance at trends of technologies in current and future naval construction programmes will show that evolution in modern shipbuilding has not come to an end and is continuing; Naval Craft, Weapon and Sensor Systems 52  Changing operational requirements for surface combatants due to the current global threat perception are demanding that these new technologies are integrated into combat ships of the future;  The most important aspect driving future shipbuilding programmes worldwide will be the overall requirement for the vessels’ littoral warfare capability and effectiveness to counter asymmetric attacks;  Procurement programmes will increasingly be ruled by nations’ restricted defence budgets. Background of LÜRSSEN Fr. Lürssen Werft (LÜRSSEN) in Bremen, Germany, has a remarkable record of success in building advanced and high quality innovative vessels for use in the German Navy and navies of the world. LÜRSSEN has gained a worldwide reputation particularly from construction programmes of fast attack craft (FAC), helicopter corvettes, fleet support ships and mine countermeasure (MCM) vessels. LÜRSSEN’s overall high-tech profile is marked by a number of ―world’s firsts‖ technical innovations, such as for example:  The development of the semi-displacement hull, now forming the basis for all modern fast patrol boat (FPB) and FAC designs;  Construction of the first helicopter corvette under 1000 tons with flight deck and hangar;  Installation and integration of the first CIWS GOALKEEPER on a small corvette;  Integration of the first Point Defence Missile System (PDMS), type RAM, on FPBs and other surface combatants;  Development of the first fully operational remote controlled minesweeping system. Over the last decades LÜRSSEN has increased the range of products even to tenders and fleet support vessels such as the German Navy ship BERLIN, of the class of more than 170 m length and 20,000 t displacement. LÜRSSEN is also fully involved in the production of the German frigate, type 124. Currently, LÜRSSEN in partnership with two other German shipyards designs and builds the German Navy corvette, type 130 (see Figure 1). Fr. Lürssen Werft 53 New Operational Requirements for Future Naval Vessels Today naval shipbuilding in Germany and in Europe is particularly challenged by new operational requirements of many regional nations bordering the sea. The need for rapid transformation of proven technologies and the development of more advanced technologies for new operational capabilities is driven by the magic term ―Littoral Warfare Operations.‖