Type: Anti Submarine Frigate
Dimensions
Displacement: 3000 tons (full load)
Length: 125 meters
Beam: 12.5 meters
Draft: 4.5 meters
Complement: 120
Propulsion
COGES-IEP
2x 25MW intercooled gas turbines & synchronous DC turbogenerators, side-exit exhaust
2x 18MW DC induction motors
Driving two 7 blade screws ( 46,480 shaft horsepower)
Performance
Speed(max): 33 knots
Speed(cruise): 15 knots
Range: 4700 nautical miles at cruise speed
Sensors
SES RS-2248C "Magen" S-band AESA multipurpose radar
SES RS-2210 X-band 2D air/surface radar
SES EHMS-F Hull Mounted Sonar
SES TCAPS-2 Towed Sonar Array
EO/IIR search and targeting system
Countermeasures
SES SEWS Electronic Warfare Suite
"Kaspit" Integrated Decoy System
“Tamnun” anti-torpedo torpedo
Communications and computing
"Mifras" Integrated Bridge System and FCS
BASTION II Battle Management System
Radio and Satellite external communications
Internal PA and radio communication systems.
Armament
32 cell Mk.13 strike length VLS for VTDG-20 rocket deployed torpedoes and/or LRC-2100, Morena 5, Hammerhead, Whipsnake or Viper-5 missiles.(fore)
1 Mk.5 76mm naval gun turret (fore)
2 4-tube 324mm torpedo launchers for Asfirana torpedoes(mid)
2X32 racks for ASN.400 "Seadevil" Armed Sonobuoys(aft)
1x "Minerva" CADS Turret (mid)
Aviation Facilities
Flight deck and hangar for two medium helicopters.
Cost: 775,000,000USD
DPR: 2,000,000,000USD
While the Lochemet class frigate was designed as a smaller, more affordable multi-purpose surface combatant to complement Nachmerean destroyers, the Royal Navy was still concerned about securing the sea lanes in Greater Prussia against submarine threats in case of all out war. Having previously cooperated with Royal Marquesan Exports on naval projects, Schwerpunkt believed technologies developed by that conglomerate would be extremely useful in designing such a small, fast sub killer. The resulting Shaldag (Kingfisher) frigate combines Marquesan propulsion, hull design and short range air defense with previously designed Nachmerean sensors, weapons and countermeasures. The Shaldag is mainly aimed at detecting, chasing down and destroying enemy submarines, but remains capable of considerable anti-surface and anti-air operations.
General Design
The Shaldag is a medium surface combatant displacing 3000 tons and measuring 124 meters. The ship pairs a traditional bow with the deep V hull and transom stern. The high length to beam ratio compliments an advanced Marquesan propulsion system to provide the high flank speed and endurance needed to hunt down submarines. Extensive use of titanium and composites has been chosen to lighten the ship, while the design and material choices for the superstructure greatly reduce the radar and thermal cross section. Most of the ship's armaments are located in the fore section, housing the gun and vertical launch system. The bridge, integrated sensor mast and helicopter hangar take up most of the superstructure, while the rear of the ship has a helicopter landing pad, machine spaces and towed sonar array.
Propulsion
With speed and endurance both on priority for the Shaldag, Schwerpunkt relied on the extensive Marquesan experience in propulsion technology to provide the Shaldag with ample power for both its systems and mobility. The propulsion system is a COGES IEP system using two turbines generating 50mW of power, far exceeding the needed power to drive the ship at flank speed. The turbines are used to run generators, in turn charging batteries used to power the motors. This fully decoupled system means Shaldag can operate two shafts with only one turbine running, or use both turbines when speed is more important than economy. In addition to the advantages in speed and economy, the system is inherently quiet (an important feature for an ASW ship) and quick reacting.
Sensors
Though it was designed with ASW operations in mind, Shaldag is still a significant surface combatant and thus had to be designed to detect and engage air and surface threats. The main sensor for both of these roles is the SES RS-2248C "Magen" (“Shield”) S-band AESA radar. Installed high on the mast, Magen is a cutting edge and powerful AESA multi-function radar. Consisting of four large panels the radar covers 360 degrees around the ship out to 250km range. The RS-2248C utilizes doppler and multi-beam techniques combined with advanced ECCM to overcome jamming and spoofing attempts and detect surface and air targets at long ranges and cluttered environments. The radar can not only detect targets, but also guide missiles and perform splash detection and correction for the ship’s gun.
Though Magen is in theory capable of performing all tactical radar functions for the Shaldag class, another radar, the RS-2210, is installed to complement the main radar. RS-2210 is a simple and lightweight X-band maritime radar capable of detecting air and surface targets out to 100km. On Lochemet it is employed mostly for helicopter operations, but also “free” the main radar by directing gunfire, doing close range detection and navigation, and supporting detection efforts by adding another band.
In addition to the radars the ship is equipped with a state of the art electro optic system for both detecting and engaging targets. Mounted on the mast, in a 360 degree rotating stabilized gimbal. It includes a highly capable 1280X1024px thermal imager able to detect aircraft and ships at beyond visual range distances, as well as full high definition digital camera, and eyesafe laser rangefinder/designator. Thanks to the combination of an excellent thermal imager and camera this unit is operable in extremely adverse weather, through smoke etc. The electro-optics unit is capable of automated tracking of targets at high air speeds even at close range. The system can be used to cue both the ships missiles and the ships 76mm gun.
To detect and engage submarines the Shaldag class is equipped with both a hull mounted and towed sonar. The towed system, TCAPS-2 is an advanced, passive and active variable depth sonar capable of operation down to 230 meters and at sea state 6. It is capable of detecting submerged threats out to 60 kilometers from the ship. For constant submarine, mine and torpedo detection the EHMS-F hull mounted sonar is installed. Acting simultaneously in active and passive modes the EHMS-F is capable of detecting submarines out to 35km, as well as providing torpedo warning and tracking for the ships anti-torpedo system.
Armament
Shaldag was designed primarily for anti-submarine operations, but is also capable of anti-air, anti-ship and land strike missions. The “Mifras'' integrated bridge system receives and integrates data from the various sensors as well as the BASTION II network and integrates it to provide the bridge officers full situational awareness. “Mifras” also gives the bridge complete and fast control of the ship’s armament. This integration of communications, weapons and sensors allows the ship to quickly and decisively engage targets.
For long range rapid engagement of submarines the Shaldag employs VTDR-20 rocket deployed torpedoes fired from a 32 cell strike length Mk.13 vertical launch system. VTDR-20 allows the ship to engage submarines at up to 55km range, and thanks to the rocket delivery engagement is extremely fast. The Mk.13 can also be used to carry various other weapons, including anti-ship, land strike and anti-aircraft missiles.The vertical launch system makes Shaldag a highly versatile asset.
To engage surface, land and air targets the Yahalom is armed with a 76mm quick firing naval gun. The 76mm can fire up to 120 rounds per minute, to a range of 40km. The gun elevates from -15 to + 85 degrees and traverses through 360 degrees in 6 seconds. The gun can be directed using data from the main radar or the EO system, and is corrected for internal and external factors - roll of the ship, external temperature, ammo temperature, wind, coriolis effect, etc.
In the midsection of the ship, on each side, are 4 tube 324mm launchers for the MPLT-20 “Asfirana” torpedo. These are used for close range engagement of submarines and serve a limited anti-ship role.
Unlike all other Schwerpunkt designed ships the Shaldag forgoes the venerable Mk.8 CIWS 20mm system in favor of the Marquesan “Minerva” combined air defense system. This choice recognises the main role of the ship as an anti-submarine frigate, allowing the Shaldag to be operated with few or no SAMs in the VLS, and relying on the Minervas 38mm guns and Bayonet medium range missiles to protect the ship against all aerial threats.
Adding further weight to the ship’s anti-submarine arsenal are 64 ASN.400 "Seadevil" armed solar sonobuoys launched from two racks in the ship's stern. These buoys allow the Shaldag to spread a “net” denying large areas of ocean to enemy submarines, detecting the threats and engaging them autonomously or alerting the ship to their presence.
Electronic Warfare and Countermeasures
Shaldag is equipped to identify and defeat electronic and kinetic threats. The SES SEWS electronic warfare suite includes radar and laser warning receivers to identify and jam or counter incoming emissions and munitions. The system is capable of identification and jamming or deception of multiple threats. SEWS uses advanced DRFM techniques and cutting edge power management to jam or spoof hostile ship, aircraft and missile radars. It employs several laser dazzlers to defeat incoming laser guided munitions.
SEWS is operated by a single crew member and is modular enabling expansion according to user requirements. It is seamlessly integrated with BASTION II and the ship’s sensors. If SEWS fails to defend the ship using radar or laser jamming/spoofing, the Yahalom will be defended by the “Kaspit” (Mercury) integrated decoy system. “Kaspit” is a launcher system capable of deploying various types of decoys quickly and according to the type of threat attacking the ship.
The system comprises 4 360 degree rotating 40 barrel launchers for various decoys, connected to a computerized threat assessment and reaction system. The system is connected both to Mifras and BASTION II, and using the ships sensors allows the operator to deploy the optimal decoy at the optimal location.
Each launcher has 36 115mm tubes and 4 90mm tubes, allowing it to fire the following types of decoys:
To defend the vessel against torpedoes, a "Tamnun" (Octupus) anti-torpedo torpedo launcher is mounted on either side. "Tamnun" launches a 200mm, 52kg countermeasure at incoming torpedoes, using data from the ship's towed sonar array. The countermeasure uses active homing to locate and attack the torpedo, detonating by proximity fuse and either damages its homing systems or utterly destroys it.
Aviation and boat facilities
Shaldag has a hangar and helipad to service two medium helicopters, provided they have foldable main and tail rotors. The ship also carries one rigid hull inflatable boat internally on the starboard side of the superstructure, which can be lowered and launched by crane.
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