Rewritten – November 2006

Flyvefisken Class vessel conducting live fire exercise

1. Flyvefisken Class Multi-Role Vessel: In early 2001, it was announced that the Flyvefisken class Multi-Role Vessels (MRVs) would undergo a C4I upgrade. Up to six units of the class were designated for the combat role and would be modernized beginning in 2004. The first unit, Lommen, was fitted with the Terma C-Flex system in 2003 as a test bed with the anticipation that five additional units would follow in 2004.

However, the Danish Parliament approved Defense Agreement 2005 – 2009 in late 2004, which calls for the reduction of the Flyvefisken fleet from fourteen units to ten. Of the ten remaining units, only four will be designated for the combat role reducing the need for a total of four C-Flex systems for this program. Although the Lommen is fitted with the C-Flex, it is for test purposes only as Lommen is scheduled to decommission in 2007.

In addition to reducing the numbers required, the Naval Material Command (NMC) has also held the retrofit in abeyance until at least 2010. This delay could lead to the cancellation of the C-Flex program for the Flyvefisken class MRVs. However, it is anticipated that it the C-Flex System will appear on the Flexible Support Ships (Large Standard Ship) that are currently under construction and the large Patrol Vessels (Frigate) that will begin over the next several years.

The C-Flex System (developed by Terma A/S, Systematic and Maersk Data Defense) is a variant of the SaabTech Systems 9LV Mk 3 and is based on an Ethernet (IEEE 802.3) data bus and a series of modes with distributed processors. The open architecture allows new weapon systems to be added by creating new modes.

2. AN/37U-1 Mine Clearance System: On 25 April 2002, Anteon International Corporation was awarded a US$15.8M contract by NMC for the purchase of eight AN/37U-1 mine clearance systems. The mine clearance systems were used to upgrade the minesweeping capability for existing, as well as, the new construction Minor Standard Craft Mk1 auxiliary craft. The ten systems were delivered to the RDN from 2003 through 2006.