FNS Pori (’83’), the newest of the four Hamina-class
vessels, underway. Source: Merivoimat FB
As the modernisation of the Finnish Navy’s surface fleet
continues, Saab has managed to secure two key contracts. Earlier, it was
announced that Saab would provide the new anti-submarine torpedoes set to be fielded by both the
modernised Hamina-class FAC as well as the new Pohjanmaa-class corvettes
(Squadron 2020). In many ways this was the low hanging fruit for Saab. Not only
is development of their new torpedo well underway with Sweden as the launch
customer, it is also based on proved technology in the form of the earlier
Torpedo 45, making it possible to operate the older version from the installed
tubes until the new Torpedo 47 is ready. Perhaps crucially, it is one of few
weapons of its class designed with an eye to use in littoral and brackish
waters, key features of the operating environment of the Finnish Navy.
Leadship of the class, FNS Hamina (’80’) two years ago.
Note forward 57 mm main gun, roof-mounted CEROS 200, and 12.7 mm NSV heavy
machine gun behind bridge. Source: Merivoimat FB
This week Saab landed a bigger fish, as it was announced that they will provide the combat management
system, fire-control system, integrated communication systems, as well as
optronic sensors for the Hamina MLU. The odd bird out is the fact that the
order include the CEROS 200 optronic sensor, which is already fitted to the
vessels. Either these are worn out to the extent that buying newer is cheaper
from a maintenance point of view, or there have been internal upgrades of the
CEROS 200 since the original deliveries almost twenty years ago that have not
been reflected in the name of the product, but are extensive enough to warrant
buying complete units and not simply giving the CEROS its own MLU.
Another interesting inclusion is the Trackfire remote
weapon station, with the Hamina now being the third class in the Finnish Navy
to receive the RWS. The use of the Trackfire on the Hamina isn’t specified, but
the wording in the press release does seem to indicate a single system per
ship. As such, while it is possible that two stations per vessel will replace
the port and starboard manually operated 12.7 mm NSV heavy machine guns mounted
amidships, the likelier scenario is that they will take the place of the
main armament. There has been talk (so far unconfirmed?) that the main 57 mm
guns (Bofors Mk 3) of the Hamina vessels will be removed as
weight saving measures and transferred to the four Pohjanmaa-class vessels, and
this would fit right in. While the Trackfire is usually seen fitted with a
heavy machine gun as the main armament, it is capable of holding “lightweight
medium calibre cannons”, i.e. weapons up to and including low-pressure 30 mm
ones. This is not an unheard of solution, with e.g. the Israeli Typhoon RWS
being used with a number of the different Bushmaster-series of cannons as the main or secondary
gun on a number of different naval vessels out there. A 30 mm Bushmaster,
the Mk 44, is already found in Finnish service on the CV 9030
IFV, but before anyone gets too enthusiastic it should be noted that this uses
a longer high-pressure round, so there is no synergy to be had. Instead,
something like the M230LF, based on the chain gun found on the Apache
helicopter, is the more likely candidate.
Dropping down in calibre from 57 to 30 mm is not
necessarily a bad thing, as the main use of the weapon will likely be air
defence and intercepting light craft. Modern 30 mm rounds will do quite some damage against
soft targets such as warships as well, though naturally you won’t win a gun
fight against a large vessel sporting a 3 or 5 inch gun anytime soon (to be
fair, if you find your FAC up against a destroyer at gun range something has
likely gone very wrong already at an earlier stage of the battle).
Jehu-class landing craft with a Trackfire RWS on top of
the superstructure. For the landing crafts the usual mount is either a 12.7 mm
NSV or a 40 mm GMG, with a 7.62 mm PKM as a co-axial weapon. Source: Merivoimat
FB
At the heart of the Hamina order is the 9LV, an open
architecture system which allows integration of different sub-systems, sensors,
and weapons into a single integrated package. As such, different building
blocks can be integrated into CMS systems from other manufacturers, or other
manufacturers’ subsystems can be integrated into the 9LV CMS. That Saab gets
this kind of a complete deal including both the CMS, FCS, integrated
communication systems, and part of the weaponry is significant, especially when
looking towards the soon to be decided contract for a main systems integrator
for the Pohjanmaa-class, a job which will likely be of significantly higher
value than the Hamina MLU.
The main implications is that this makes Saab the
front-runner for the Pohjanmaa-class CMS. Earlier the Rauma-class FAC received
the 9LV during its MLU, and now on the Hamina 9LV is replacing Atlas
Elektronik’s ANCS 2000-system. While the requirements for the CMS of the Hamina
and the Pohjanmaa are not completely identical, there certainly is something to
be said when the former replaces one of the shortlisted CMS’s with the another
one, instead of simply upgrading it. It should also be remembered that several
subsystems, including most weapons, will be the same for both vessels.
Yet another noteworthy development is that Saab recently announced a new fixed face version of their
Sea Giraffe, in the form of the Sea Giraffe 4A FF. I have earlier questioned whether Saab’s twin rotating mast
solution would satisfy the requirements of the Navy, and it seems clear that
the 4A FF is a possible solution for the Pohjanmaa’s main long-distance sensor.
As Saab is also well positioned to secure the order for the new PTO2020 surface-to-surface missile, they just might be
on track to secure all major Finnish naval contracts they are bidding for.
Original post: corporalfrisk.com
Related articles:
Hamina Class: Details
TRACKFIRE - REMOTE WEAPON STATION
saab.com
STABILISED INDEPENDENT LINE OF SIGHT (SILOS)
The unique configuration of Trackfire provides a true
Stabilised Independent Line Of Sight (SILOS). As the independently stabilised
Sensor Module is decoupled from the weapon/s axes (and hence isolated from
weapon recoil effects), the operator is able to maintain the line of sight on
the target, thereby greatly reducing target acquisition times.
Furthermore, this configuration enables a target to be
continuously lased during the engagement sequence; thereby providing a true
comprehensive ballistic calculation including 3D target prediction.
FEATURES
The Trackfire RWS provides exceptional capabilities
across the full operational spectrum and enhances force multiplication through
reliability, superior hit performance and adaptable modularity.
Trackfire consists of the following components:
- Director
Unit (DU)
- Sensor
Module (SM)
- Human
Machine Interface (HMI)
- Gunners
Display (GD)
- Fire
Control Panel (FCP)
- Control
Handle (CH)
- Video
Tracker (VT)
MAIN FEATURES
Trackfire RWS provides the hit performance required to
engage threats effectively under all conditions. Trackfire has been developed
with the operator in mind.
All primary functionality is ergonomically presented on
the Human Machine Interface (HMI), ensuring that Surveillance and Target
Acquisition (STA) cycles are near instantaneous without the operator having to
break visual contact with the Gunners Display (GD).
A dual command facilitates shared capabilities, shorter
response times and reduced sensor-to-shooter cycles. Fully prepared for the
integration into other platform systems, target and image data can be
transmitted within the platform as well as to and from other systems and
platforms.
FIREPOWER
A wide range of weapon effects (including complimentary
solution such as Non-Lethal effectors) can be mounted, often in combination
with one another.
The operator is able to select from the mounted effect
with just a switch of a button on the HMI – the embedded Fire Control Computer
does the rest. System flexibility also means that both NATO and Eastern Bloc
weapons can be mounted.
INTEGRATED SURVIVABILITY
For maximum crew protection, all Trackfire RWS operations
can be performed from below armour or deck, thereby increasing their
fightability whilst removing them from harm’s way.
Graceful degradation also ensures system functionality in
the event of battlefield damage or a malfunction and a reversionary mode
ensures that full crew-served operation is still possible.
MOBILITY
Trackfire RWS is designed to meet all operational
requirements, ranging from small craft in severe weather conditions to Armoured
Fighting Vehicles (AFV) moving at high speed through challenging terrain – all
whilst engaging the target with the highest degree of precision
OPTIONAL ENHANCEMENTS
- Smoke
Grenade Launchers (SGL)
- Full
training suite, ranging from laser-based Integrated Gunnery Trainer (IGT)
through to desktop/classroom synthesis training environments
- Dual
Command
- Appliquée
Armour
- Integration
with platform sub-systems, including:
- Battlefield
Management Systems (BMS) / Combat Management System (CMS)
- Navigation
Systems
- Defensive
Aides Suites (DAS)
- Video
Distribution System (VDS)
- Health
& Usage Monitoring Systems (HUMS)
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
The Trackfire RWS provides exceptional capabilities
across the full operational spectrum and enhances force multiplication through
reliability, superior hit performance and adaptable modularity. The system
consists of the following components:
saab.com
HUMAN MACHINE INTERFACE (HMI)
Consisting of the Fire Control Panel (FCP), Control
Handle (CH) and Gunners Display (GD); the HMI is intuitive to operate. The menu
structure has a logical hierarchy to ensure the Operator is able to maintain
visual contact of the situation picture via the GD, whilst simultaneously
having access to all system primary functionality.
WEAPONS
A wide range of small, medium and heavy Machine Guns,
Automatic Grenade Launchers (AGL), lightweight medium calibre cannons, as well
as Non-Lethal Effects (NLE) can all be integrated; many of which can be
simultaneously mounted to enable a graded effects capability.
SENSOR MODULE (SM)
As a self-contained sub-system, the Sensor Module (SM)
provides CCD TV, IR and Laser Range Finder (LRF) channels for the operator. The
modular approach allows for a wide range of visual and infra-red sensors to be
integrated dependent on User requirements. A wash/wipe capability can also be
incorporated. Source: saab.com
Torpedo 47
Torpedo 47 is Sweden's new lightweight torpedo system for
defense against foreign submarines. FMV has contracted Saab AB to develop,
produce and integrate the system. The cooperation also includes FOI (the
Swedish Defence Research Agency) and the Swedish Armed Forces (SwAF).
There are major challenges in locating and attacking
foreign submarines in the Baltic Sea. The factors that contribute to the
difficulties are the shallow waters of the Baltic Sea, with a topography and a
bottom that challenges the sonar systems. The brackish water, the complexities
of the archipelago and the intensive sea traffic are further aggravating
factors.
These factors set tough requirements on the torpedo’s
ability to:
- Localize
and identify submarines
- Navigate
under water
- Communicate
with the firing platform
The sensor system that will localize and identify
submarines is tailor made for the environment in the Baltic Sea. Depending on
the local environment the torpedo must have the ability to alter speed,
navigate with high accuracy and communicate efficiently with the firing
platform.
The new torpedo system is primarily intended for the
Swedish submarines and Visby-class corvettes. The system in also prepared for
helicopter integration.
Source: fmv.se
Related articles:
Hamina Class: Details
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