New ST Concepts unveiled at IMDEX 2009

[OPSSG]

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:

(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.

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.

 

[sunshin3]

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.

Thanks for the links. IMHO, current USV designs like the Protector are rigid-hull inflatable boats which means that a single bullet will literally take the wind out of the boat and cause it to sink. Not exactly a good feature when the USV is used for force protection missions. Whereas the 11-metre USVs for the USN and the 9-metre USVs for the RSN are essentially speed-boat hulls. This will result in greater stability for the USV platform, enable the USV to operate in rougher seas and also enable the USV to operate at higher speeds - all features that increase the versatility and utility of USVs in actual naval ops which must go on regardless of the weather and sea state.

 

[OPSSG]

If you are interested, KLS review has posted artist impressions of the Venus USV in:

(i) A Force protection and precision fire version - with a remote weapon station (RWS) with two guided missile launchers (My comment: The missiles are likely to be the Spike-ER).

(ii) An anti-submarine detection role - with a RWS and dipping sonar.

(iii) A Venus USV launching a torpedo. According to KLS review, the Venus USV is capable of carrying up to two light weight torpedoes.

There is a difference in the Venus USV's max. speed, as reported by the Singapore press and by KLS review. According to KLS review, the Venus USV is able to operate at speeds of up to 35 knots (and not 50 knots as reported by the Singapore press).

 

[Firn]

If you are interested, KLS review has posted artist impressions of the Venus USV in:

(i) A Force protection and precision fire version - with a remote weapon station (RWS) with two guided missile launchers (My comment: The missiles are likely to be the Spike-ER).

(ii) An anti-submarine detection role - with a RWS and dipping sonar.

(iii) A Venus USV launching a torpedo. According to KLS review, the Venus USV is capable of carrying up to two light weight torpedoes.

There is a difference in the Venus USV's max. speed, as reported by the Singapore press and by KLS review. According to KLS review, the Venus USV is able to operate at speeds of up to 35 knots (and not 50 knots as reported by the Singapore press).

Such a family of USV seems to make a lot of sense to me and not only for Singapore's navy. As the article already mentioned there are a lot of roles in which USVs can enhance the capabilities of navies and coast guards. A USV, especially one with an M-hull ought to be for example an excellent choice for an MCM when given a good sensor package, helping to sweep the sea lane before a rapidly moving fleet.

The 10m ASW Venus could have a rather low accoustic signature and , enabling the USV(s) to silently test the waters ahead. Persistent by nature it could reduce the workload on the helicopter(s). Two torpedeos would enable it to engage submarines and ships directly, although I would put the emphasis on the reconnaissance and surveillance part of the ASW. But torpedeos make sense too.
Deployed from the Endurance-class ships according to the mission it will add a lot of capability.

What would a Ropax-type ship cost? Something around 200 million €?

 

[OPSSG]

^^^For clarity, I note that the USN has chosen the 11 metre, M-shaped USV hull form (the M-shaped hull is designed by Navatek Ltd).

The RSN has gone for a slightly different 9 metre, Venus USV hull form. So it looks like the RHIB USVs are on the way out (due to stability and survivability issues). Singapore needs a smaller USV as we want to carry them on our patrol vessels (limited space). The smaller 9 metre, Venus USV hull form will better suit our needs for coastal and port defence. If a swarm of Venus USVs are deployed with the Endurance Class vessels of 191 squadron, they would definitely serve as a force multiplier (the limitation of the Endurance Class in fleet operations is their limited speed). For anti-submarine work, the Venus USV has the advantage of persistence compared to helicopters.

I think the trend for the RSN is to standardize our USV hull forms - that is why RSN also paid Navatek Ltd to design the Venus USV hull.

Thailand has ordered an Endurance Class vessel for S$200 million (or approximately US$152.8 million). I would expect the proposed Ropex design to cost more that 200 million € to build - as it is also a convertible hospital ship. Further, the Singapore navy likes to put in a number of high end automation features (to reduce manpower needs) and other high features - which should not come cheap.

The Ropax is a civilian vessel that will enable RSN to conduct more high profile humanitarian aid and disaster relief operations, if there is a need (as sending a civilian vessel into another country's territorial waters is less sensitive). For example, providing aid to Myanmar for their next typhoon cycle comes to mind. This will increase ASEAN's leverage with the military junta. The RSN (via ST Marine) can even spot charter the Ropax (during peace time), reducing the cost of ownership for the RSN.

More importantly, the Roxpax will extend range and endurance of the Formidable & Victory Classes, which makes it a great force multiplier for the RSN (and possibly other ASEAN navies) in conducting high intensity operations. BTW, Thailand, Brunei and Singapore enjoy exceptional military ties (with Singapore having military bases in both countries). The faster you sail the sooner you need to refuel. At war time footing, IMHO, you would want your navy ships to move fast (so that the diesel submarines have a harder time targeting your naval ships) and makes locating your naval strike fleet that much harder. It will also enable RSN to centralise higher level helicopter/ FCEP/ USV maintenance activity at sea on the Ropax, providing the RSN with a mobile and moving 'base at sea'.

 

[Firn]

^^^For clarity, I note that the USN has chosen the 11 metre, M-shaped USV hull form (the M-shaped hull is designed by Navatek Ltd).

The RSN has gone for a slightly different 9 metre, Venus USV hull form. So it looks like the RHIB USVs are on the way out (due to stability and survivability issues). Singapore needs a smaller USV as we want to carry them on our patrol vessels (limited space). The smaller 9 metre, Venus USV hull form will better suit our needs for coastal and port defence. If a swarm of Venus USVs are deployed with the Endurance Class, they would definitely serve as a force multiplier (the limitation of the Endurance Class in fleet operations is their limited speed). For anti-submarine work, the Venus USV has the advantage of persistence compared to helicopters.

I think the trend for the RSN is to standardize our USV hull forms - that is why RSN also paid Navatek Ltd to design the Venus USV hull.
.

Thanks for clearing things up.

ASW seems to have become more and more a focus for the RSN. Quite understandably given the strategic situation of Singapore, the complex and cluttered green and blue sea environment and the trend towards modern subs which made in the last 10 years large strides.

The primary ASW asset, especially under such conditions is the helicopter, but the cluttered environment makes it and other hardware very vulnerable to threads hidden at sea or camouflaged on land. ASW USV could screen threat sectors considered too dangerous for the Helicopter with their dipping sonar and deployable sonobuoys. In the latter case it should be able to retract the buoys. Perhaps there would be a need for two types of "ASW" USV. One armed with torpedoes on a RWS and a dipping sonar and the other with a dipping sonar and the capability to lay and retract sonabuoys.

Thailand has ordered an Endurance Class vessel for S$200 million (or approximately US$152.8 million). I would expect the proposed Ropex design to cost more that 200 million € to build - as it is also a convertible hospital ship. Further, the Singapore navy likes to put in a number of high end automation features (to reduce manpower needs) and other high features - which should not come cheap.

The Ropax is a civilian vessel that will enable RSN to conduct more high profile humanitarian aid and disaster relief operations, if there is a need (as sending a civilian vessel into another country's territorial waters is less sensitive). For example, providing aid to Myanmar for their next typhoon cycle comes to mind. This will increase ASEAN's leverage with the military junta. The RSN (via ST Marine) can even spot charter the Ropax (during peace time), reducing the cost of ownership for the RSN.

More importantly, the Roxpax will extend range and endurance of the Formidable & Victory Classes, which makes it a great force multiplier for the RSN (and possibly other ASEAN navies) in conducting high intensity operations. BTW, Thailand, Brunei and Singapore enjoy exceptional military ties (with Singapore having military bases in both countries). The faster you sail the sooner you need to refuel. At war time footing, IMHO, you would want your navy ships to move fast (so that the diesel submarines have a harder time targeting your naval ships) and makes locating your naval strike fleet that much harder. It will also enable RSN to centralise higher level helicopter/ FCEP/ USV maintenance activity at sea on the Ropax, providing the RSN with a mobile and moving 'base at sea'

The Ropax seems to be a truly fitting addition for the RSN, as it matches very well at tactical and most importantly on the strategic level. Such a civilian vessel performs in different configurations different function helping, giving it a de facto, a perceived and possibly a de iure low profile.

In one configuration it might be almost ideal for humanitarian relief, a role which is in the strategic interest of Singapore. In another it might support a fleet and be a very important C4ISR node with a central command for tactical UAV, USV, UUV and various helicopters.

The geopolitical situation provide good arguments for such a purchase and the current operations in the gulf of Aden might just state the case even more forcibly for the Ropax-class.