Medium sized Vessel Derivative (MVD)

(also known as Maritime Versatile Derivative)

(Type 45 Batch 4?)
 

Type Designation: ?

Specification

The following speculative specification is based in the current Type 45 destroyer.  A hull stretch seems probable.

Displacement: 5,800 tonnes light; 7,350 tonnes deep load, 8000 tonnes design max
Dimensions: length 152.4m overall, 143.5m lbp; beam 21.2m; draught 5.7m (500.0 x 69.6 x 18.7 feet)
Speed: 29 knots max dash; 27 knots max sustained; cruise 18 knots
Endurance: 7000nm at 18 knots
Engines: Integrated Electric Propulsion (IEP); 2 x WR21 Rolls Royce-Northrop Grumman ICR gas turbines generator sets (WR-21 turbines down-rated to 21.5 MW each, Alstom supplied alternators at 21MW); 2 Alstom 15-phase electric induction motors (rated at 20MW each at 150 rpm); max total output 40MW (53,648 shp); 2 shafts;  2 x Wartsila 12V200 diesel Hitzinger alternator sets (rated at 2.2MW each)  for low speed propulsion and ship service requirements.
Complement: 190 crew (20 officers, 170 ratings), berthing for 235 including up to 60 Royal Marines.

Missiles:
SAM: SAAM - 2 x 8 cell DCN Sylver A42 Vertical Launch System; 16 Aster 15; active doppler radar seeker; 1.7 km to 15 km (1 to 8 n miles) at 15,000 m (49,000 feet) altitude at 4.0 Mach; warhead ? kg (84C);
TLAM - 16 Raytheon Tactical Tomahawk (TLAM-E, Block IV) land attack; Tercom aided inertial navigation system (TAINS) and Global Positioning System (GPS); range 1,600 km (900 n miles) at 0.7 Mach; altitude 15-100 m; 318 kg unitary warhead.; 2 x 8 cell Mk41 Mod 0 Vertical Launch System.
Guns: 1 BAE RO 6 in (155 mm)/52 Mk 8 Mod3; 10-20 rds/min; to 36.6 km anti-surface; to70 km extended range land attack; 200+ rounds; weight of shell 45.5 kg.
2 Raytheon 20mm Phalanx Block 1B Mk15 CIWS;
2 DES/MSI DS 30B 30 mm/75; REMSIG variant, 650 rds/min to 10 km (5.4 n miles) anti-surface; 3 km (1.6 n miles) anti-aircraft; weight of shell 0.36 kg
Torpedoes: 4 Cray Marine 324 mm fixed (2 twin) tubes. Marconi Stingray; active/passive homing to 11 km (5.9 n miles) at 45 kt; warhead 35 kg (shaped charge); depth to 750 m (2,460 ft). Automatic reload in 9 minutes.
Countermeasures: Thales integrated intercept and jammer suite
Decoys: 4 8-tube decoy RL; 4 DLJ(2) floating decoy launchers (offboard decoy rounds - Mk251 IR Active Decoy Round (ADR), Mk214 Seduction Chaff, Mk216 Distraction Chaff.  
Type 2070; J-SSTD (SLQ-25A(V)) active and passive towed torpedo decoy.
Combat data systems: BAE/AMS CMS; Links 11, 14 and JTIDS 16; Lockheed Martin CEC [from 2012?]. Astrium SCOT 3 SATCOM.
Weapons control: GWS 60 (for SSM). GWS ? (for SAM).
Radars: Long Range Air/Surface Search & IFF: Alenia Marconi Systems S1850M Smartello; D-band 
Navigation: Kelvin Hughes Type 1007; I-band and Racal Decca Type 1008; E/F-band.
IFF: 1010/1011.
Sonars: Ultra-EDO Type 2100 medium-frequency system; bow-mounted; active search and attack.
Thales Underwater Systems Type 2087; active low-frequency towed body with a VLF passive array.
Helicopter: 1 AugustaWestland Merlin HMA.2.

Notes:
Project designation:  URD ?
Status: Currently in the Concept Phase.  Initial Gate 2007?
In Service Date:  2016-19

The Future Surface Combatant (FSC) project was effectively cancelled in late 2004 as scope, risks and likely costs got out of hand. 

However the DEC(AWE) continued to look investigations in to how the capabilities currently provided by the 4 existing Type 22 Batch 3 and 13 Type 23 frigates might be met in the long term.  In 2005 officials were stating that a two class solution currently was anticipated, the first being a four ship Medium Vessel Derivative (MVD), the second being the Versatile Surface Combatant (VSC).  Official sources indicated a 2016-19 in-service date for MVD, apparently time to replace the four type 22 Batch 3 frigates which are due to leave service in 2005-2008.

Timescales

The project is officially in the Concept Phase and for planning purposes and the MOD is looking at a 2016-19 ISD window for the first ship, based largely on the additional costs and serviceability problems associated with excessively running on the Type 22 Batch 3 frigates (the first entered service in 1988, with an expected 25 year life.  A 2018 ISD is often suggested as the most likely target.

However there is also a clear need for MVD production to follow on seamlessly from the Type 45  destroyers if industrial capabilities are top be maintained and production costs are to be minimised.  A major problem that has evolved is the fact that the Type 45 construction programme has shrink in size - instead of 12 ships with the last delivered in 2015, it  became in 2004 just 8 units with the delivery of the last few stretched out to 2016/17, and it now (June 2006) seems that just six T45's will be built - and an maintaining an efficient built rate means that the last is scheduled for delivery in 2012.

Experience has shown that an approximately six year gap between the completion of the last Type 45 and the first MVD will be both expensive and the source of many problems.  What the solution will be, if any, remains to be seen.

Platform Design (Type 45 derivative)

The exact size and shape of ship selected as MVD will be determined during the 2-3 year long Assessment Phase studies.  However the MOD has stated that it is seeking a low-risk military off-the-shelf solution [for MVD], and officials sources confirmed in late 2004 that a variant of the Type 45 design was considered to be the most likely option when the project eventually moves forward.   The main disadvantage of using the Type 45 design as the basis for MVD is that by the time the project reaches the order stage it will be a decade old design that uses c.2000 technology - the last MVD won't enter service until about 2020 and presumably will serve until at least 2050.  While some incremental updates are possible, the basic design will be badly aged by 2020, and simply doesn't offer the fundamental "next generation" improvements that FSC had promised.  Also, there is a need to maintain industrial capabilities, including platform design, and to de-risk or develop some of the ideas being proposed for VSC post-2020.  This might all combine to justify a new design. 

It is thus being investigated whether the large Type 45 hull design may form a suitable basis for the MVD -  with its role changed from an emphasis on area air defence to a more multipurpose configuration with improved ASuW and ASW capabilities and in particular a greatly enhanced land-attack capability - with an ability to conduct deep strike against targets more than 100nm (180km) inland.

Basing the MVD design based on a modified Type 45 hull has obvious benefits in terms of ship commonality, reduced design and support costs, and personnel training.  Possible major changes include:

• Replacement of the PAAMS (Principal Anti-Air Missile System) and Aster 15/30 area air defence system with the SAAM (Surface to Air Anti-Missiles) and Aster 15 system intended for local air defence only;

• Replacement of the advanced but expensive BAE Systems Sampson multi-function radar with a less capable radar compatible with SAAM.  This could either be new or extant, e.g. the Thales Herkules radar.

• Replacement of some DCN Sylver A50 VLS cells with Lockheed-Martin VLS-41 cells loaded with Tomahawk land attack cruise missiles;

• A new medium calibre gun, probably 155mm;

• Revised fantail and stern for operating the Thomson Marconi Type 2087 Variable Depth Sonar;

• Enlarged flight deck and capability to operate both the Merlin anti-submarine helicopter and UAV's;

• Additional accommodation for an embarked military force

• Revised engineering plant incorporating IFEP and reduced low speed noise emission;

• So called "SMART ship" measures to substantially reduce crew size;

• Measures to reduce through-life costs compared with Type 45.

By late 2002 BAE Systems had already proposed several variants of the basic Type 45 design.  These include:

• General Purpose and ASW Variant.  A "frigate" size Type 45 with the hull shortened amidships and forward.  Compared with the Daring class it has a smaller VLS silo and no PAAMS (SAAM instead?), but is fitted with an integrated ASW suite, including a more capable low frequency bow-mounted sonar and a variable-depth sonar (Type 2087). S1850 search radar deleted.  Reduced noise signature.  This design was offered to the MOD as an affordable "new build" option for the RN's "Interim Frigate Capability" (IFC) requirement, an alternative to a proposed Service Life Extension Programme for the Type 23's.  A more developed and very stealthy version of this "frigate" also seems to have formed the basis of BAE's proposal for a low risk mono-hull design that met the RN's Future Surface Combatant requirement.  The IFC requirement  was quietly dropped by 2003.
• Land-Attack Variant.  A slightly stretched "cruiser" size development of the Type 45.  Amidships hull plug (an extra module at the widest section of the ship) to accommodate an extra small (16 cell?) VLS silo, presumably for Tactical Tomahawk or Naval  SCALP.  Another stern hull plug extends the flight deck (note that keel is not lengthened here) to enable the operation of heavy lift helicopters and UAV's.  The S1850 search radar is been deleted.  Improved range and speed, the later probably due to it finer lines rather than more powerful machinery.  However the amidships hull plug does means that the space is available to fit larger engines, so Integrated Full Electric Propulsion (IFEP) with 2 x MT30 Rolls Royce gas turbines generator sets is an option.  Accommodation and facilities for the embarked military force (EMF) are improved.  It's not claimed, but if also provided with some limited flagship facilities (C4I) then this design would be useful for commanding small RN Task Groups when an aircraft carrier or Albion Class LPD is not present - a role currently fulfilled by the Type 22 Batch 3 frigates.  If any are built they would almost certainly replace some of planned 12 standard units on a 1-of-1 basis, rather than be additional units.
• RAN Variant.  A variant of the Type 45 was offered by BAE Systems to the Royal Australian Navy to meet its Sea 4000 air defence destroyer requirement.  This variant was much modified with many systems replaced by their USN equivalent.  This includes the replacement of the PAAMS/Sylver/Aster air defence system with AEGIS/VLS Mk.41/Standard SM-2ER, although the Sampson MFR radar is retained.  This variant was not selected by Australia.

It is now possible that the Land Attack version may form the basis for MVD.

Platform Design (FREMM derivative)

A second option for MVD is a UK nationalised variant the Franco-Italian Frégate [Européenne] Multi-Missions (FREMM). 

The project is currently in design definition phase, with the first ships to ordered in 2005.   Armaris (a joint subsidiary of DCN and Thales) and Italian partner Orizzonte Sistemi Navali (a joint subsidiary of Fincantieri and Finmeccanica) act as co-prime contractors for the design definition phase.  DCN and Orizzonte will also act as the co-chief design bureaux.  The French Navy plans to order 17 FREMM frigates and the Italian Navy 10. 

After lengthy debate, France and Italy apparently reached agreement on the ship and propulsion definition parameters in summer 2004.  The frigates will have a displacement of 5,600 metric tons.  The hull will have a length of 134 meters, 128 meters at the waterline, and a maximum width of 18.5 meters.  The ships will feature a combined propulsion system, with a single gas turbine and diesel engines driving electric motors.  Top speed will be 27.5 kt., and an economic cruise of 16 kt will give a 6,000-naut-mi. range

The French and Italian Defence ministers signed a letter of intent at the Euronaval exhibit in Paris in October 2004, and (very ambitiously) the first vessels are expected to service in 2008.

The FREMM will be built in several versions. 

Nine French units will be configured as F-AVT "Frégates d'action vers la terre", intended primarily for land-attack warfare, armed with land attack cruise missiles and able to operate UAV's and carry commando's; and the eight other as F-ASM "Frégates d'action-sous-marine", fitted with sonars and ASW torpedo's for antisubmarine duties, but with the ability to launch land-attack missiles for which targeting would be provided by other platforms.   The Italians plan to buy 4 of the ASM variant, and 6 of a separate general purpose variant.

Among the weapons earmarked for the FREMM frigates are the SAAM air defence system, upgraded Exocet 3 (French version) and Teseo 2 (Italian version) antiship missiles, MU 90 torpedoes and 76-mm. guns. The SAAM will initially be equipped with short-range Aster 15 missiles, but may later carry longer range Aster 30 interceptors as well.  The French Navy's F-AVT's will be fitted with up to 30 of the new naval version of the Scalp cruise missile, currently under development.  Italy is partnered with France in SAAM and MU 90, but not yet in the naval Scalp program.  Italy is also considering a Tomahawk buy, for this reason, the Italian ships will be fitted to accept both a 16-cell European Sylver A70 vertical launcher, designed to fire the Aster, or the U.S. Mk.41.   Both variants will be able to carry two NH 90 helicopters and/or UAVs, however, deck size and strength is sufficient for the larger EH101 helicopter as well.

The degree of UK interest in FREMM will be influenced by decisions currently (March 2005) being made as to the ships equipment fit.  For example a decision on favour of the Rolls-Royce MT30 gas turbine over the rival LM-2500+ would be greatly preferred by the MOD.

DML Frigate Concept (FC65)

At DSEi 2005 in September, DML Group unveiled a new frigate design concept known as FC65, a potential alternative to existing designs for the Royal Navy’s Medium-sized Vessel Derivative requirement.

The FC65 is a high speed, long range, surface combatant, intended to offer good capability in both offensive and defensive roles. Approaching 150 metres in length and with a displacement of 6,600 tonnes loaded, the vessel is powered by twin MT30 gas turbines, with four large waterjets that allow it to reach its speed capability of 35 knots while being sufficiently efficient to provide the over 7,000 nautical miles endurance.  Two Merlin helicopters can be hanger’ed, and the flight deck can accommodate large rotorcraft.

The FC65 features a versatile vertical launch system for both offensive and defensive stores, and has a Mk45 5-inch gun to provide shore bombardment support. Special Forces are catered for in the flexible internal cargo deck aft.  This can be re-configured for military or non-military tasks.  At 40 metres long and 12 metres wide, the space is large enough to allow transportation of a wide range of vehicles, stores, boats, personnel or other cargo.

The design deliberately focuses on rapid adaptability, and can be rapidly reconfigured for military and non-military roles and duties ranging from benign and constabulary to Task Group command and Land Attack/ASW functions.  The platform has been optimised to allow sustained global operations with high endurance, and has the ability both to undertake a wide range of tasks unsupported, and to command task group operations.

No further work is being undertaken on the concept, but some of its feature may indicate thinking in relationto any new UK design.

Crew

MVD will probably be able to embark at least a platoon of Royal Marines (or other military) with all their equipment and supplies.

Mission duration will probably be 45 days. 

Armament

The armament of the MVD uncertain but likely base-line elements include: up to 16 Land Attack Cruise Missiles (LACM's) – probably the 1400nm range Tomahawk Block IV (Tactical Tomahawk - TacTom) and/or the 300nm range Naval SCALP which is being developed by MBDA from the existing airborne launched Scalp EG/Storm Shadow cruise missile for the French Navy; Harpoon Block II; Aster 15 SAM missiles (the Global Cruiser will have a reduced air-defence capability compared with the specialist Type 45 destroyers); a new 155mm gun for Naval Gunfire Support; and the EH101 Merlin helicopter.  It's hoped for commonality and flexibility that the Sylver Vertical Launch System developed for Aster missiles can be modified to also accommodate the LACM's.  Otherwise either multiple VLS systems will have to be fitted or consideration given to purchasing the more versatile Lockheed-Martin VLS-41 launcher.  To reduce procurement costs, possibly only a limited number of VLS cells will be initially fitted, but space and weight will be allowed to install additional cells later. 

The French MOD is buying 250 Naval SCALP land attack missiles, at a cost of €785 million ($691 million). The FREMM frigates will be equipped with them from 2011, as well as six Barracuda submarines from 2015.  Considerable political pressure may build for the RN to adopt Naval SCALP for MVD rather than the cheaper and more capable TacTom, moreover Naval SCALP will be able to use Sylver A70 VLS cells (a slightly lengthened variant of the A50 being bought for the Type 45 destroyers) while TacTom will require Lockheed Martin Mk.41 VLS cells, which are not currently used by the RN.  The Royal Navy is very happy with Tomahawk, but politically, the Naval SCALP and A70 combination may be more attractive than the Mk.41 VLS and TacTom. 

It's far from clear what medium calibre gun will be adopted, other than that it will be a 155 or 127 mm calibre.   In early 2003 a licence built version of United Defense's lightweight Mk.45 5-inch/62-caliber Mod 4 (ERGM capable) gun - which is widely used by the US Navy - emerged as strong contender for RN's new medium calibre gun requirement.  This gun offers significantly improved firepower compared with the Mk.8, combined with low cost and moderate size and weight compared with a new 155mm gun.  The expected availability of the Raytheon Systems Extended Range Guided Munition (ERGM) EX-171 "smart" round for the Mk.45 is also a factor.  Team Naval Gun UK (consisting of  United Defense, Alvis and DML) has been lobbying the RN and MOD hard in favour of the Mark 45, but no decision has been taken.  BAE Systems has continued to submit proposals for a new naval 155 mm gun system, most recently (late 2004) an intriguing proposal known as the 155 Third generation Maritime Fire support (TMF).  The proposed development would combine the 155 mm/39-cal gun used in the British Army's AS90 and the existing mount for the 114mm Mk 8 Mod 1 (4.5 inch) naval gun.   Apparently the mounting is strong enough to cope with the extra recoil and the weight increase is small: it will weigh 24.5 tons compared with 22.5 tons for the 4.5 inch Mk 8 Mod 1 (and 26.4 tons for the original Mk 8 Mod 0).  The system would mainly need to be modified to cope with a double-stroke loading cycle which will reduce the Rate of Fire (although sustained RoF for NGS is limited by  barrel heating anyway).  BAE Systems argues that this hybrid solution offers a significant enhancement to the range and lethality of the UK Royal Navy's (RN's) naval gunfire support capability at very modest risk and cost.

For ASW operations, a towed Type 2087 towed body variable depth sonar is expected to be fitted. 

An enlarged large flight deck with a double hanger able to accommodate at least two helicopters or other air vehicles.  

The upgraded multi-role variant of the EH-101 Merlin  helicopter proposed by Lockheed Marin is a leading contender for the preferred air vehicle.  This would be capable of carrying out ASW, ASuW, transport, search and rescue, and other missions  But other helicopters and UAV's also seem very likely to have a role.