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.
Pukul Habis: Now available from Amazon sites that serve your location. "Look Inside" function on some sites shows sample pages.
Singapore: https://bit.ly/3XJzInH
Australia: https://amzn.to/3ViaX0i
Canada: https://amzn.to/3VkjqQP Look Inside
France: https://amzn.to/3uenBS5 Look Inside
Germany: https://amzn.to/3XLcJc0 Look Inside
Japan: https://amzn.to/3gS2Loz Look Inside
Spain: https://amzn.to/3OSfi7S
Sweden: https://bit.ly/3GWq7UI
United Kingdom: https://amzn.to/3EZ6clA Look Inside
USA: https://amzn.to/3Ui3Eo1 Look Inside
Is that a water cannon on the port side forward of the 50cal? Or a 30mm gun?
ReplyDeleteoh yes, now i see it clearer on the home 23" screen ... the water jet are the red coloured installation on starboard and port aft in line with the remote weapon station light cannon.
ReplyDeletewow so the forward port and starboard installations look like a 25mm/30mm gun turret! Nice ;-)
The raised structure just behind the A gun i suppose are for point defence Barak type of missile VLS.
Just in front of the A gun there is another raised structure ... The gun has to be brought to 0/180 in order to launch from the VLS there? Rather unlikely.
The LMV is not worth an aggressor's anti-ship missile. Likely encounter speed boat in swamp attack using RPG/spike type of weapon?
Or the aggressor may make use of civilians to overwhelm the LMV in the form of refugees, fishing boats or even their non-naval maritime surveillance craft.
Can install a couple more water jets with reservoir tank mixture of sea water and pepper spray concentrate?
Outside the front bridge window: could be a CIWS or a chaff launcher.
ReplyDeleteMidway down the bridge window: could be a .50 HMG.
Device labelled as LRAD could also be a chaff launcher.
The graphic helps us visualize how the Barak VLS fits into the ship.
ReplyDeleteGiven the size of the raised platform, you can fit as more than 32 barak vls missiles or combination of other missiles like griffins. The doors under the flight deck could be panel doors for ssms like harpoon missiles. The ssm missiles are inside the ship like visby stealth corvettes
ReplyDeleteDavid, do you have a picture of st's new 95m opv. I thought i saw camm launchers. Thx
ReplyDeleteThe panels doors for ASuM Harpoons? Cool... but what about the vent for the Harpoon back blast?
ReplyDeleteWhy dont you take a look at how it is done in the Visby or other stealth ships? At any rate, the final design is evolving.
ReplyDeleteAm glad to know the LMV can mount ASM if it's really so ...
ReplyDeleteDear Anon 5:47PM,
ReplyDeleteYes, I have a pix of STM's 95m OPV. Let me dig it up.
re: SSM capability. Am keen to see how this design evolves.
Apparently the bumps for the drowned exhausts are on the model, but hard to see in this image.
Best regards,
David
Can the tube launch ASuM Harpoon quad pack be mounted almost horizontally? This way, the back blast can be vented out on the opposite vent.
ReplyDeleteIt would be even more potent if the aft pair vent opens up to launch ASW triple tube torpedoes.
Boring boat.
ReplyDeleteHope this is not the design.
Like that may as well just update Fearless class.
Or get Visby class and modify.
This boat look like 20 year old design plus unstable oversize hanger on top. Where got power?
20 year old design? Can you name the ships that are like the lmv? Lets see, us lcs, meko lcs and dcns gowind-opv. Any more? Are these 20 year old designs?
DeleteThis ship look boring leh.
ReplyDeleteMaybe no catch fire like Indon ship but helicopter platform on top look unstable and hull so conventional.
Better use Swedish Visby design, modify.
Yes, really look like 20 year old design but with some update (wayang stealth)
I hope this is not the final design
Why not stealth?
ReplyDeleteThis design looks obsolete...
Why use barak?
Should they look for other advance system...if Aster 15 is too high cost, there are other system better than barak.
Even the 76mm gun is not stealth cupola...then might as well continue using the current Fearless and MVC for another 30 years