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Denmark – Future Multi-Role Vessel (MRV) Rewritten – November 2006 Program Status: Projected. Operational Requirement: The Royal Danish Navy (RDN) has a requirement for a modern force of Multi-Role Vessels (MRVs) capable of performing patrol; limited anti-surface, anti-air, and mine countermeasures (MCM) operations in regional and coastal waters. Program Background: From 1989 through 1996, the RDN took delivery of fourteen Flyvefisken class MRVs. The Flyvefisken class was purposely built as multi-purpose ships capable of deploying specific mission packages through the Standard Flex (STANFLEX) concept. The STANFLEX concept grew out of the necessity of replacing large numbers of smaller mission specific ships with lesser numbers of MRVs as the RDN began reducing its surface fleet in the 1980s. STANFLEX called for the development of mission specific modules that could be interchanged on a common platform to in affect change the mission and capabilities of an individual ship. This concept enabled the RDN to reduce a fleet of eight Fast Attack Craft (FAC), eight patrol boats and eight mine countermeasures vessels (MCMVs) (24 total units) with a force of only fourteen MRVs that could be adapted for specific missions. Under the STANFLEX concept, up to 15 different modules were developed which range in capabilities from anti-air defense (AAW), anti-surface warfare (ASuW), anti-submarine warfare (ASW), electronic warfare (EW), mine countermeasures (MCM) as well as a myriad of non-combatant capabilities. The STANFLEX concept is also being utilized in the Flexible Support Ship in use for the foreseeable future when concerning larger combatants and patrol vessels for the RDN although the containers may be updated in order to adapt newer systems in the next several decades. The RDN is currently operating eleven (to be reduced to 10 in 2007) of the Flyvefisken class MRVs that were commissioned from 1989 through 1996. The ten remaining vessels will more than likely be replaced by similar MRVs not later than 2022. The MRVs will probably be built either at Odense Steel Shipyard or Danyard Aalborg in Denmark. Program Acquisition Plan: There is currently no known acquisition plan for a new class of MRVs. However, assuming that the RDN will maintain a fleet of MRVs past 2020, the sea service will probably begin conceptualizing the replacement of the Flyvefisken class by 2016 in order to affect a construction contract by 2020. At least ten units will be built with commissioning beginning around 2022. Based on this information, the following acquisition plan, for a potential buy of up to ten units valued at US$150M each, is projected: Concept Start 2016 Concept Select 2017 Contract Design 2018 Construction Contract RfP 2019 Construction Contract Award 2020 First of Class Commissions 2022 Design and Construction Considerations: Design and construction considerations are purely speculative. However, it can be anticipated that the new MRVs will be similar in dimensions and capabilities as the Flyvefisken class that they are replacing. The new MRVs may be around 54 meters (177.2ft) in length and displace up to 500 tons. The propulsion will probably be of the Combined Diesel and Gas Turbine (CODAG) arrangement. The MRVs would also have a standard arrangement on all vessels that would include a common combat management system (CMS), radar suite, fire control radar, bow-mounted sonar, decoys and launch rails for mines. Mission specific equipment would be interchangeable through the use of the STANFLEX containers, with the new design featuring up to five container positions. As a result, any combination of future STANFLEX weapon/equipment container suites would enable the MRV to assume a multitude of roles including AAW, ASuW, ASW or MCM. Future mission-specific STANFLEX weapon/equipment container modules may include: Medium caliber gun. Surface-to-air missile (SAM) system. Surface-to-surface missile (SSM) system. Command, Control, Communications, and Information (C4I) package. Variable depth active/passive sonar and mine hunting sonar. Electronic warfare system. Anti-pollution storage module with oil booms, skimmers, chemicals, storage tanks, etc. A module for hydrographic survey. A module for oceanographic research. An Electronic intelligence system. A dinghy for search and rescue, and boarding operations (with storage module). Ship Characteristics:
Key Personnel: Royal Danish Navy
Royal Danish Navy Material Command (Defense Acquisition)
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