Feature 4 | Corvettes
be delivered between 2009 and 2016.
The Baynunah class has a steel hull and
aluminium superstructure and is 71.30m
overall with a breadth of 11.00m, maximum
draft of 2.90m, displacement of 915tonnes,
endurance of 14 days, a maximum speed
of 30knots, range at 15knots of 2000nm
and a propulsion plant based on four
diesel engines and three waterjets – two
wing-mounted waterjets and a booster.
The four type 12V595 TE90 diesel engines
from MTU are each rated at 4.2MW. This
arrangement confers both a high cruise
speed and high level of manoeuvrability, the
cruise and maximum speeds being 15knots
and in excess of 30knots, respectively.
The corvette has a deep-V hard-chine
hull and reduced draught, which allows the
corvette to operate in shallow water. CMN The 72m Baynunah class is derived from an enhanced new-generation Combattante I
has also emphasised good seakeeping hullform.
characteristics and manoeuvrability in
the design.
The new corvettes are substantially larger The new corvettes are also capable of I-band navigation radar. Fire control radar
than the new-generation Combattante I, the deploying a full range of mine-laying, for the NA-25 is the Selex Orion RTN 25
Um Almaradim class patrol vessels supplied mine detection, avoidance and X-band radar. The electronic warfare suite
to Kuwait from 1998 to 2000 and have a disposal systems to suit the operational includes an NLWS310 laser warning system
stealthy superstructure, helicopter landing requirements of the UAE’s Navy, and from Saab Avitronics in South Africa, an
deck and hangar. The Baynunah corvette the layout of the flight deck allows the Elettronica SLR-736E radar electronic
has a stern-mounted helicopter deck with installation of mine rails for mine laying. support measures system (ESM) and a
a single landing spot for a medium-sized The combat management system includes Thales Altesse communications ESM.
helicopter such as the AS 565. The UAE minefield planning software. The NDS The MASS decoy system, supplied by
operates seven Eurocopter AS 565 Panther 3070 Vanguard hull-mounted mine and Rheinmetall Waffe Munition (formerly
anti-surface helicopters. The corvette has a obstacle avoidance sonar, from L-3 ELAC Buck Neue Technologien), will be installed,
fully equipped hangar. Nautik, will be installed and a remotely one to port and one to the starboard side.
In July 2004, Alenia Marconi Systems, operated vehicle for detection, location MASS can launch up to 32 Omni-Trap
now Selex Sistemi Integrati, was awarded and disposal of mines may also be fitted. spin-stabilised omni-spectral projectiles
a contract to supply the IPN-S command The Baynunah corvettes are also fitted in a time-staggered configuration against
and control system and the NA-25XM fire with a Saab Microwave Systems (formerly anti-ship missiles and guided projectiles. The
control system for the main gun. Selex is Ericsson) Sea Giraffe Agile Multiple Beam MASS decoy covers radar, infrared, electro-
also responsible for integration of weapons (AMB) 3-D surveillance radar and a Terma optic, laser and ultraviolet wavebands. WT
and sensors into the combat system. The
Baynunah vessels will also be fitted with
The next five
the Sagem Vigy EOMS infrared search and
Baynunah class
track and weapons director.
units will be built
The corvette’s main gun is the Oto Melara
in the UAE at Abu
76/62mm Super Rapide capable of firing
Dhabi Shipbuilding,
120 rounds a minute. The anti-ship missile
rather than at
system comprises eight MBDA MM40
CMN’s shipyard, as
block 3 Exocet missiles. For air defence the
shown here.
corvettes will be fitted with four Raytheon
Mk 56 eight-cell vertical launchers for the
Evolved SeaSparrow Missile (ESSM) and the
Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) system for
close-in air defence. A Mk49 Mod3 21-cell
RAM launcher for the RAM block 1A
missile system is fitted atop the hangar.
26 Warship Technology October 2009
WT Corvettes OCT09.indd 26 17/09/2009 11:01:49
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