Rewritten – September 2006

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March 2007 - Second Skjold Began Sea Trials

Skjold Class FAC

Program Status: In Progress. The first ship of the class, Skjold, entered service in 1999 following successful test and evaluation trials. On 12 June 2001, the Minister of Defense announced that five additional units of the Skjold class would be constructed from 2004 through 2009. Passed by the Storting in early 2001, the five additional units of the class were finally funded in October 2003. Construction commenced in early 2004 on unit two and in 2005 on units three and four. The entire six- vessel class will be delivered by the end of 2009.

Operational Requirement: The Royal Norwegian Navy (RNoN) has a requirement for a force of modern Fast Attack Craft (FAC) to conduct sea denial and anti-invasion operations in the littoral waters of Norway’s fjords.

Program Background: In the mid-1980s, the Norwegian Defense Research Establishment (NDRE) began to study possible replacement options for the Storm class FAC (decommissioned in 2000). NDRE intensified its efforts in the early 1990s when it awarded a number of small contracts to industry to study various aspects of ship design and equipment. At about the same time, NDRE began to study various sensor and weapon suites for equipping the new FAC.

Hauk Class FAC

By 1994, the Royal Norwegian Navy Materiel Command (NMC) (now part of the Norwegian Defense Logistics Organization – NDLO) had taken over the lead in developing a new FAC, and in April of that year presented a project briefing to industry. The briefing addressed the new construction requirement for up to eight new stealth FAC to replace the Storm class, and a modernization program for the fourteen Hauk class FACs (SMP 6250).

In July 1995, the NMC issued Request for Proposals (RfPs) for construction of the new FAC from three yards: Umoe Mandal and Mjellem & Karlsen of Norway, and Lurssen Werft of Germany (now part of ThyssenKrupp), with bids due in January 1996. In August of 1996, Umoe Mandal was awarded a US$36.4M contract to build a prototype surface effect ship (SES) FAC, with an option for as many as seven additional production units. The decision on the option was expected to be based on the results of a 12-18 month test and evaluation period, and the availability of funding.

The construction specification was approved at the end of July 1997, and Skjold was launched on 22 September 1998. The FAC was turned over to the RNoN on 17 April 1999, and began trials almost immediately with participation in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) exercise "Blue Game" in late April. Skjold arrived at its homeport in Bergen in May of 1999 to continue with its trials program, which focused on five main performance areas:

Skjold began sea trials without its weapons or combat management system (sand ballast was provided to simulate the weight of the weapons, the combat management system, and the sensors). An OTO Melara 76mm gun was installed during the summer of 1999, and the full combat system suite will be installed following the completion of the series production of the remainder of the class.

Program Acquisition Plan: On 12 June 2001, the Minister of Defense announced that five additional units of the Skjold class would be constructed starting in 2004. The five units were funded in 2002, and a construction contract with Umoe Mandal was signed by mid-2003. Unit two began construction in August 2004 followed by units three and four in 2005. The remaining two units of the class will commence construction in 2006 and 2007. The entire class will be commissioned by the close of 2009 and will have a service life of approximately forty years. As the Skjold class enters service, the fourteen units of the Hauk class will be decommissioned. The following acquisition plan, for a buy of six units valued at an estimated US$65M each, is projected:

Design and Construction Considerations: The Skjold class design is distinguished by its use of the surface effect ship (SES) hull-form, and its stealth characteristics.

a. Radiated noise and hydroacoustics:

• The SES hull-form greatly reduces the water resistance and accompanying water flow noise.

• The water jet propulsion system generates a lower hydroacoustic signature than traditional propeller systems.

• Use of fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) materials in the hull provide better structure-borne noise damping qualities than conventional construction materials.

b. Radar Cross Section (RCS):

• Use of FRP materials in hull construction, vice steel or aluminum, to reduce the radar return.

• Use of radar absorbing material (RAM) on topside structures including the bridge windows and engine air intakes.

• Controlled shaping of the ship above the waterline, including:

1. Applying flare to the hull above the waterline.

2. Use of large flat angled surfaces.

3. Sloping the superstructure surfaces (tumblehome), particularly hatches, edges and surfaces that are visible to incoming missiles and other threats.

• Concealment, arrangement, and shaping of topside structures and equipment, including:

1. Artist’s depictions of the Skjold class show a specially designed stealthy mount to house the OTO Melara 76mm gun.

2. The ship’s surface-to-surface missile (SSM) launchers will be located beneath the weather deck. The project office has not yet decided whether the launchers will be in a fixed position and accessed via hatches, or elevated above the weather deck prior to missile launch.

• Placement of the gas turbine and diesel exhaust outlets along the waterline to eliminate large stacks in the superstructure.

c. Infrared. The ship’s infrared signature is reduced using the following techniques:

• Careful design of the ship’s superstructure.

• Gas turbine exhaust gases and cooling water are ejected into the air cushion between the two hulls, or through the stern of the vessel.

• Use of FRP materials, which have better thermal conductivity than conventional materials.

d. Electro-Optic/Visual. The low and sleek characteristics of the Skjold class superstructure along with the camouflage paint scheme, greatly reduces the ships’ electro-optic/visual signature.

e. Magnetic. Use of FRP sandwich construction, vice steel, has resulted in a hull that is completely non-magnetic.

a. Combat Management System (CMS): The SENIT 2000 CMS in the Skjold class will consist of a five-console system in which all of the flat screen displays are fully multi-functional. The CMS will perform all combat management functions, including the operation of all weapons, sensors, data links, and navigational equipment. In the Skjold class the SENIT 2000 will with include an integrated bridge system (with three bridge consoles) as well. The SENIT 2000 is a derivative of the existing SENIT 8 CMS (there will be 80% software commonality between the two systems) installed in the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle.

In July 1995 the NMC issued RfPs to eight suppliers for a CMS solution for its FAC Program. The first bids were submitted in November 1995, and a revised RfP was issued the following March. In June of 1996, the bidders list was short-listed to two companies: DCN of France and Alenia of Italy. The two companies submitted their best and final offers in January 1997. On 26 June 1997, DCN was awarded a US$123M contract to perform the CMS modernization work for the fourteen units of the Hauk class. Under the terms of the contract, DCN serves as prime for the contract with Umoe Mandal performing the actual modernization work. Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace AS (KDA) is assisting Armaris in developing the SENIT 2000 CMS for installation in the Hauk class. The July 1997 contract also had a US$130M option for the delivery of six additional SENIT 2000 systems for installation in the Skjold class.

Kongsberg NSM

b. Surface-to-Surface Missile (SSM) System: The Skjold class will be armed with four Naval Strike Missile (NSM) SSMs developed by Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace. The NSM is designed for coastal water operations with significantly better performance characteristics than the existing Penguin SSM. Special emphasis has been given to improving the performance of the passive IR seeker, increasing the range to 100km (54nm), and reducing the missile’s observables. The NSM is not intended as a replacement for the Penguin, nor is it meant for the export market. Rather, the NSM will primarily be a surface-to-surface missile, (SSM), and will arm the Fridtjof Nansen class frigate and the Skjold class FAC. The Hauk class will keep the Penguin as its main armament.

On 23 December 1996, the NMC awarded a US$160.6M contract to KDA to develop a new surface-to-surface missile (SSM), designated the NSM (SMP 6026). KDA subsequently teamed with Matra BAE Dynamics Alenia (MBDA) and Microturbo to develop the NSM. The development phase of the project was completed in April 2003, and delivery of the first production NSM is on schedule for 2006.

c. Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) System: The FAC will have a Matra BAE Dynamics Alenia (MBDA) SIMBAD launcher for Mistral SAMs.

d. Medium Caliber Gun: An OTO Melara 76mm/62 gun was installed for the Skjold sea trials. Artist’s depictions of the Skjold class show a specially designed stealthy mount to house the 76mm gun. Delivery of the first gun occurred in 2005.

MRR

e. Radar: The Skjold class will be equipped with a Thales MRR/3D NG surveillance radar. The SaabTech Ceros 200 has been designated for the fire control director that includes a sight with radar and optronic sensors that will be tied into the CMS.

Key Personnel:

Rear Admiral Jan Eirik Finseth

Chief of Naval Staff

Defense Staff Norway

Oslo MIL/Akershus

N-0015 Oslo

Norway

Tel: + 47 23 09 80 00

Fax: + 47 23 09 83 12

Norwegian Defense Procurement Division

Norwegian Defense Logistics Organization

Postmottak

N-2617 Lillehammer

Norway

Tel: + 47 67 86 37 02

Fax: + 47 67 86 30 79

Peter Klemsdal

Managing Director

Umoe Mandal

Gismeroya Service Box 902

N-4509 Mandal

Norway

Tel: + 47 55 53 64 61

Fax: + 47 55 53 60 60

E-mail: mandal@umoe.no

Website: http://www.umoe.no

Mr. Nils Oddvar Hagen

Vice President, Naval Systems

Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace AS

P.O. Box 1003

N-3601 Kongsberg

Norway

Tel: + 47 32 738 200

Fax: + 47 32 738 620, 47 32 738 586

E-mail: kda.office@kongsberg.com

Website: http://www.kongsberg.com/eng/kog/ (English)

Mr. Ragne M. Ristvedt

Marketing Coordinator

Kongsberg Maritime AS

Dyrmyrgata 35

P.O. Box 483

N-3601 Kongsberg

Norway

Tel: 47 32 28 50 00

Fax: 47 32 73 60 59

E-mail: sales.marketing@kongsberg-simrad.com

Website: http://www.km.kongsberg.com/

Project Manager, Naval Weapon Systems (Medium Caliber Guns)

OTO Melara

Via Valdilocchi 15

19136 La Spezia

Italy

Tel: + 39 0187 58 2453

Fax: + 30 0187 58 2415

Website : http://www.otomelara.it/

E-mail: ps&cs.ns.pm@otomelara.it

Uri Lifschitz

Director, International Business Development

EDO RSS

18705 Madrone Parkway

Morgan Hill, CA 95037

Tel: + (408) 201-8000

Fax: + (408) 201-8010

E-mail: uril@edorss.com

Website: www.edorss.com

Mr. Tomas Renlund

Sales and Marketing Manager

Kamewa Group

FF-JET LTD AB

PO Box 79

67101 Kokkola

Finland

Tel: + 358 6 832 4530

Fax: + 358 6 832 4512

E-mail: tomas.relund@ftjet.fi

Mr. Goran Asker

Division Manager

SaabTech Systems AB

SE-175 88 Jarfalla

Sweden

Tel: + 46 8 58 084 872

Fax: + 46 8 58 032 244

E-mail: goeas@celsiustech.se

Website: http://www.saab.se

Jean-Christophe Alessandrini

Thales Airborne Systems

2, avenue Gay-Lussac

F-78851 ELANCOURT Cedex

France

Tel: + 33 1 3481 6000

Fax: + 33 1 3066 7966

Mr. Daniel Petit

Product Executive

Matra BAE Dynamics Alenia (MBDA)

20-22 rue Grange Dame Rose

BP 150

78141 Velizy-Villacoublay Cedex

France

Tel: + 33 1 3488 1859

Fax: + 33 1 3488 2626

Mr. Rangesh Kasturi
Vice President, Marketing & Sales
Marine Systems
L-3 MAPPS
Tel: +1 514 340 5391
Fax: +1 514 734 5617

E-mail: rangesh.kasturi@L-3com.com

Website: www.mapps.L-3com.com

 

Pratt & Whitney Power Systems
80 Lamberton Road, MS 191-15
Windsor, CT 06095
Phone: +1 860 565-0356
Fax: +1 860 755-4819

Website: http://www.pratt-whitney.com/