A model of the Littoral Mission Vessel (LMV) displayed at ST Marine's stand at the Singapore Airshow 2014 points to the design evolution that this upcoming Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) warship class has undergone since the concept was shown to the public in May last year.
While details are still sparse, the updated model provides telling indications of what we can expect the LMV design to look like when the first of class hits the water.
The hypotheses floated here assume the features on the scale model displayed at SA 2014 are a passable resemblance to the finished product.
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Spot the differences:The Littoral Mission Vessel (LMV) scale model displayed in February 2014 (above) shows subtle yet noteworthy differences to the first LMV model unveiled to the public in May 2013 (below) at the Republic of Singapore Navy Navy Open House.
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Prominent among the changes to her hull form is the addition of hull strengthening strakes either side of the bow. These strakes, which are common on salvage vessels and the ST Marine-built Submarine Support Rescue Vessel, MV Swift Rescue, are unique to this RSN warship class. The strengthened forr'ard hull might contribute to the LMV's robustness during incidents at sea which may involve ramming.
The new model also displays what appears to be air intakes/outlets under the flight deck for the air-breathing engines (of unknown type) and intakes for ship air handling units and machinery.
Topside, subtle yet noteworthy changes have been made to her superstructure and equipment fit.
These include:
* A prominent step of unknown purpose forr'ard of her bridge superstructure
* A pedestal for a fire control radar dish and what appears to be an electro-optic ball on the bridge roof. Placed in that position, both sensors should command a 180-degree coverage, which would be sufficient for the firing arc of the 76mm OTO Breda A-gun.
* As we move aft of the bridge wing, we note a flat faced array which appears to be a long-range acoustic device. These were used with notable success during RSN counter-piracy sweeps in the Gulf of Aden.
* The sensor mast is completed by a pole mast, possibly for hoisting signal halyards and navigation lights.
* The sensor mast has a different side elevation from the May 2013 incarnation.
Still missing are outlets for her air-breathing engines. These are expected to take the form of drowned exhausts and their location on her hull would be closely followed as these contribute to her wake profile and noise signature. It remains to be seen if bleed air from her engine exhaust would be used to coat her underwater hull with a layer of bubbles, which act as a masking device of sorts to reduce her acoustic signature.
When completed, each LMV should measure 80 metres bow to stern, 12 metres wide and have a displacement of around 1,150 tons. Max speed has been quoted as >27 knots. She would embark a core crew of 30 personnel and a mission crew of 30 pax.
As the LMV design evolution gathers pace, Singapore watchers should avoid placing too much scrutiny on drawings and models displayed by ST Marine and the RSN. Such open source material are known to have fallen far short of what the actual product looks like when the real thing is unveiled.
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The Missile Corvettes (MCVs) designed for the RSN under Project S are a classic example. One of the first drawings of the warship, published by Pioneer magazine in April 1988, excluded key anti-submarine warfare armament and sensors such as the torpedoes and VDS, along with all electronic warfare lumps and bumps eventually added to the MCVs under Project H, Project J, Project S and Project W.
17 Feb 2014 update: Added images of the ST Marine Offshore Patrol Vessel model as requested by a reader.
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While details are still sparse, the updated model provides telling indications of what we can expect the LMV design to look like when the first of class hits the water.
The hypotheses floated here assume the features on the scale model displayed at SA 2014 are a passable resemblance to the finished product.
Prominent among the changes to her hull form is the addition of hull strengthening strakes either side of the bow. These strakes, which are common on salvage vessels and the ST Marine-built Submarine Support Rescue Vessel, MV Swift Rescue, are unique to this RSN warship class. The strengthened forr'ard hull might contribute to the LMV's robustness during incidents at sea which may involve ramming.
The new model also displays what appears to be air intakes/outlets under the flight deck for the air-breathing engines (of unknown type) and intakes for ship air handling units and machinery.
Topside, subtle yet noteworthy changes have been made to her superstructure and equipment fit.
These include:
* A prominent step of unknown purpose forr'ard of her bridge superstructure
* A pedestal for a fire control radar dish and what appears to be an electro-optic ball on the bridge roof. Placed in that position, both sensors should command a 180-degree coverage, which would be sufficient for the firing arc of the 76mm OTO Breda A-gun.
* As we move aft of the bridge wing, we note a flat faced array which appears to be a long-range acoustic device. These were used with notable success during RSN counter-piracy sweeps in the Gulf of Aden.
* The sensor mast is completed by a pole mast, possibly for hoisting signal halyards and navigation lights.
* The sensor mast has a different side elevation from the May 2013 incarnation.
Still missing are outlets for her air-breathing engines. These are expected to take the form of drowned exhausts and their location on her hull would be closely followed as these contribute to her wake profile and noise signature. It remains to be seen if bleed air from her engine exhaust would be used to coat her underwater hull with a layer of bubbles, which act as a masking device of sorts to reduce her acoustic signature.
When completed, each LMV should measure 80 metres bow to stern, 12 metres wide and have a displacement of around 1,150 tons. Max speed has been quoted as >27 knots. She would embark a core crew of 30 personnel and a mission crew of 30 pax.
As the LMV design evolution gathers pace, Singapore watchers should avoid placing too much scrutiny on drawings and models displayed by ST Marine and the RSN. Such open source material are known to have fallen far short of what the actual product looks like when the real thing is unveiled.
The Missile Corvettes (MCVs) designed for the RSN under Project S are a classic example. One of the first drawings of the warship, published by Pioneer magazine in April 1988, excluded key anti-submarine warfare armament and sensors such as the torpedoes and VDS, along with all electronic warfare lumps and bumps eventually added to the MCVs under Project H, Project J, Project S and Project W.
17 Feb 2014 update: Added images of the ST Marine Offshore Patrol Vessel model as requested by a reader.
