military force or a passive ASW team. Another area coming under close


scrutiny is power and propulsion. Given drivers of cost and endurance, one attractive option is an all-diesel prime mover fit, operating either as a direct drive arrangement or as part of a hybrid diesel-electric configuration. It is noteworthy that the SDSR requirement to operate unsupported for extended periods to build up better regional understanding, and better predict and prevent future conflict, has led to a substantial increase in the endurance requirement for Type 26. The stern mission bay developed


during the C1 concept phase is retained in revised Type 26/GCS baseline, although it is itself scaled back in size. Te mission bay offers the modularity to embark different mission payloads, such as unmanned surface vessels and autonomous unmanned vehicles while


being able to operate seaboats from a protected stern ramp.


Planning assumptions Te MoD expects the Type 26 programme to complete its analysis of the options phase towards the end of 2011, and then move into Stage 1 design. With SDSR trimming the Royal Navy’s frigate/ destroyer force down to 19 ships, the current planning assumption is for 13 Type 26 vessels (eight ASW variants and a further five general purpose variants) to progressively replace the current Type 23 frigates one-for-one from about 2021. The emergence of the Global


Combat Ship initiative reflects the UK government’s desire to increase the export potential of the Type 26. Rather than attempt full-scale collaboration, the approach being taken by the MoD, BAE Systems and UK Trade & Investment is to partner with other nations which want


to leverage the Type 26 ship architecture to meet their specific user requirements, and access full technology of transfer to enable the build and integration of complex warships in-country. Te UK in September 2010 formally


invited Brazil to become the first international partner. In a parliamentary reply on 31 January 2011, Gerald Howarth MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (International Security Strategy), acknowledged that dialogue had also been established with the governments of Canada, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand and Turkey. He added: “All those countries have


expressed interest in joining the United Kingdom in a collaborative programme that would have the benefit of bringing together not only members of the Commonwealth but some of our key allies, while also driving down costs for the Royal Navy.” WT


First Project 28 ASW corvette due to be delivered in 2012


Built at Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), the first of four much-delayed Project 28 Kamorta class ASW corvettes (ASWC) for the Indian Navy is now due to be delivered by mid-2012.


in conjunction with GRSE’s design group, with specialised design input from a number of other sources (DCNS engineered the raſt-mounted propulsion power transmission system [PPTS]). The key design objective was to


T


minimise signatures, including a very low underwater radiated noise signature. Te X-shaped hull and superstructure reduces radar cross section (RCS) while exhaust gas ducts have infrared suppression devices. Maximization of indigenous content


was another important goal of the programme. According to GRSE, the ships have around 85% local content – a


Warship Technology May 2011


he Project 28 (P-28) corvette was designed by the Indian Navy’s Directorate of Naval Design


figure that is considerably greater than previous Indian warship projects. Te combat system is largely indigenous, using Indian-designed and license- built equipment. Key weapons suppliers are Larsen and Toubro, Bharat Heavy Electricals, the Ordnance Factory Board. Bharat Electronics (BEL) supplied sensors and communications systems. Although work commenced on


the lead ship several years ago – in March 2003 – with the expectation that launching would take place 24 months later, there have been serious delays for a number of reasons. Tese include delays in obtaining shipbuilding steel, some shipyard issues, supply-chain issues, developing brand new equipment concurrently, and delays in finalizing the


weapons and sensors, which resulted in frequent design changes. Te ASWC was launched in April 2010, the keel having been laid in November 2006. As of November 2010, there had been around 1200 design changes since the start of production. Tis was the first time that GRSE had launched a large surface combatant with a largely complete superstructure and a relatively high degree of outfitting – close to 40%.


Stringent requirements Applying lessons


learnt from recent


projects, for the Indian Navy, supply chain delays were considered acceptable as long as shipboard equipment met the stringent quality and signature requirements.


31


Feature 3


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40