1. KLS review has reported in Chinese that Singapore Technologies Marine (ST Marine) had unveiled 2 new naval patrol vessel designs and 1 new naval auxiliary vessel design via a video shown at their booth in IMDEX 2009. I have provided a limited English translation/summary of the 2 articles below:
2. Also at IMDEX 2009, Singapore Technologies Electronics (ST Electronics), as lead integrator unveiled a new high speed USV design dubbed Venus (based on a fast speedboat design), which will have a high level of autonomy with waypoint navigation, some levels of autonomous target detection and advanced obstacle and collision avoidance. The Venus USV (dimensions: 9m in length, 2.8m in width and 5m in height) will have an endurance of 8 hrs and be able to operate at speeds of up to 50 knots. A full suite of Venus USVs would likely include Precision Fire, MCM, ASW and Force Protection variants. ST Electronics is now working through its trials process and full trials of the developmental system will be held before year end.
3. The RSN as an operator of both the Protector USV and the Spartan USV had known for some time that both USVs designs have stability and sea keeping issues that sometimes leads to a loss of signal. As such, last year, the RSN awarded the Hawaiian based speed boat manufacturer, Navatek Ltd, two contracts worth US$416,000 and US$485,000 respectively to design a new Venus USV hull. As you may know, Navatek Ltd is a subsidiary of Pacific Marine and designed the unique 'M' hulls of the 11-metre USVs designed for the USN's LCS vessels. In the US$8.4 million USN contract, Navatek Ltd is currently working with General Dynamics Robotics Systems. It looks like both the USN and the RSN are looking at using a lot more of USVs in their concept of operations.
(i) a 60 metre patrol vessel that holds up to 58 crew, with an endurance of 14 days. This new Patrol Vessel is equipped with a crane to facilitate the launch of up to 4 USVs;
(ii) a 85 metre Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) design that that holds 90-100 crew, with an endurance of 20 days. This new OPV has a helicopter landing pad but no hanger. The bridge allows for all round visibility and the vessel has inherited the clean lines present in the 'Formidable' Class frigates; and
(iii) a 158.62 metre Ropax naval auxiliary vessel design based on commercial design standards with accommodation for up to 230 personnel. This new Ropax is a fleet support vessel can conduct refueling at sea with space for cargo containers. It is equipped with a well dock in the stern, a helicopter hanger for at least 4 helicopters and a vehicle deck that can be converted to hold up to 1,000 people and/or possible hospital facilities, if deployed for disaster relief missions.
Click on the link provided for pictures of the proposed patrol vessel, the proposed OPV and the second link on the proposed Ropax naval auxiliary vessel. Please note that the 3 vessel designs are currently only design concepts and there is nothing earth shattering in their designs. However, these new designs does give an indication of the concerns of the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN). In particular, if a Ropax naval auxiliary vessel is acquired, the RSN would have true blue water deployment capabilities. (ii) a 85 metre Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) design that that holds 90-100 crew, with an endurance of 20 days. This new OPV has a helicopter landing pad but no hanger. The bridge allows for all round visibility and the vessel has inherited the clean lines present in the 'Formidable' Class frigates; and
(iii) a 158.62 metre Ropax naval auxiliary vessel design based on commercial design standards with accommodation for up to 230 personnel. This new Ropax is a fleet support vessel can conduct refueling at sea with space for cargo containers. It is equipped with a well dock in the stern, a helicopter hanger for at least 4 helicopters and a vehicle deck that can be converted to hold up to 1,000 people and/or possible hospital facilities, if deployed for disaster relief missions.
2. Also at IMDEX 2009, Singapore Technologies Electronics (ST Electronics), as lead integrator unveiled a new high speed USV design dubbed Venus (based on a fast speedboat design), which will have a high level of autonomy with waypoint navigation, some levels of autonomous target detection and advanced obstacle and collision avoidance. The Venus USV (dimensions: 9m in length, 2.8m in width and 5m in height) will have an endurance of 8 hrs and be able to operate at speeds of up to 50 knots. A full suite of Venus USVs would likely include Precision Fire, MCM, ASW and Force Protection variants. ST Electronics is now working through its trials process and full trials of the developmental system will be held before year end.
3. The RSN as an operator of both the Protector USV and the Spartan USV had known for some time that both USVs designs have stability and sea keeping issues that sometimes leads to a loss of signal. As such, last year, the RSN awarded the Hawaiian based speed boat manufacturer, Navatek Ltd, two contracts worth US$416,000 and US$485,000 respectively to design a new Venus USV hull. As you may know, Navatek Ltd is a subsidiary of Pacific Marine and designed the unique 'M' hulls of the 11-metre USVs designed for the USN's LCS vessels. In the US$8.4 million USN contract, Navatek Ltd is currently working with General Dynamics Robotics Systems. It looks like both the USN and the RSN are looking at using a lot more of USVs in their concept of operations.
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