naval-forces-focus-french-technology

Sea and Navy18INTERNATIONAL SHOWS » 2014-2015DefendseasIn addition to contributing to MistraltypeLHD programmes and theBrave logistic support vessel projectin cooperation with DCNS, STXFrance's Saint-Nazaire shipyard alsoproposes its own range of frigatesand corvettes. This effort began withthe New-Generation SurveillanceFrigate, a modernised version of theeight Floréal-class vessels deliveredto the French and Moroccan Navies inthe 1990s and 2000s. More recently,STX France took the world by surprisewhen it announced the Defendseascorvette based on a ground-breakingconcept. The design arose as part of anR&D project looking at new conceptsfor civil and naval vessels. A dedicatedproject team has been in place since2013.Drawing on advances by the Ecorizon®green lifecycle R&D team, which havebrought significant improvements in theenergy efficiency and environmentalperformance of STX France products,Defendseas integrates varioustechnological building blocks andinnovations with an architectureoptimised to meet customer needs.The result is a complete toolbox of newideas that can be mixed and matchedto expand the capabilities of warshipsof all displacements according to thecustomer's operational requirements.The Defendseas team has also builton STX France's expertise in civiland naval shipbuilding to propose aplatform combining proven solutionswith an innovative architecture andlayout. One of the eye-catchingfeatures of the corvette design is aningenious helo handling system in theform of a lift that fits between twosections of a retractable deck. As aresult, the superstructure volumenormally occupied by the hangar canbe reappropriated, with all storagespaces moved to the lower deckand all platform management andaccommodation located separately.Overall, the new design offers betteruse of available volumes.The hangar opens directly aft ontoa 500sq.m modular space dividedinto three mission-configurable bays(typically for 9.5m heavy RHIBs) andfour more for 20 foot containers (foradditional RHIBs or light militaryvehicles). The rigid-hull inflatable boatsare launched and recovered one or twoat a time via a stern ramp and two sidedoors. All RHIBs and containers arehandled by a single overhead crane.The superstructure combines apanoramic bridge offering 360° vision,the flight deck control station, the livingquarters and all operational areas,including the ops room with its six toeight consoles. The superstructurealso houses a space for an unmannedaircraft system (UAS).The Defendseas combat systemincludes 12 vertical launch cells near theflight deck for surface-to-air missiles,four anti-ship missiles stored in pairedlaunchers, a 76mm gun flanked bya pair of 12.7mm machine guns onthe forward deck, and two remotelycontrolled 20mm machine guns aft.The sensor suite features a 3D searchradar and an optronic fire control system.Last but not least, the superstructure,weapon systems and payload areall designed for optimal stealth. «» DISPLACEMENT: 2,500 t» DIMENSIONS (m): 90 x 15» SPEED: 25 kts» RANGE: 6,000 NM at 12 kts» ACCOMMODATION: 70» WEAPONS:12 x SAM missiles (VLS)4 x SSM missiles1 x 76 mm2 x 20 mm1 Helicopter» ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS:Radars: 3D, S-Band, X-Band© STX FRANCE © STX FRANCE