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propulsion system, operating through two huge nozzles protruding from the rear of the ship, as shown. One could imagine that the whole inclination of the vessel shifts into a planing position, like a true speedboat once the forward propulsion via water jets is engaged. This would explain an absence of an unspecified speed limit. The radar signatures of the two protruding water jets at the rear of the vessel would be lowered to around or below the water line, making accurate radar or sonar detection most difficult. Herein may lie the secret of the stealth propulsion system. In a planing vessel with the propulsion at the water line, and only stealth material above, there is no object.
The stealthy slopes on the angular sides of the vessel make pilotage difficult in dock. Side mounted cameras and crew lookouts aid the process of parallel parking by use of the manoeuvrable jets. Three decks below, presumably located at the water line for minimal roll, the combat information centre (CIC) is another marvel of engineering. Five dimensional warfare capability is achieved thus: there are no standalone systems on the Swedish ship: All are networked in a LAN type configuration. Further, most terminals are of a single kind allowing the user to log in as a particular role at which point the terminal becomes dedicated for that purpose. This is an extremely versatile method for waging war providing a redundancy of systems which can never be achieved by analogue systems found universally elsewhere. The universal terminals were the first flat screen CIC equipment seen on any tour at DSEi and were produced by SAAB. Dedicated terminals were provided for the deployment of remote unmanned underwater vehicles and navigation. Even the deployment of the UUV was via a stealth sloped hole of the under side of the vessel.
Even the systems with bespoke terminals are all fully integrated into the onboard network. At the flick of a switch the CIC can transfer from operation to simulation – just one
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of the advantages of using a ship-wide networked solution. This functionality enables small training groups to practice set manoeuvers without the need to leave port. A crew of just 21 can wage 5 dimensional warfare with 16 sailors conscripted to serve 1 year tours of duty on board. Normally a crew complement of 45 would be found onboard.
After a brief ascent by ladder we entered a stealth concealed armory integrated into the upper deck. Not yet fully kitted out this room will be home to the |
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RBS-15, a radar homing subsonic anti-ship missile. A curious looking projectile with a bonnet like air intake situated on the underside of the rear, the RBS-15 missile is launched from a canister assisted by solid fuel boosters detaching after launch, which for the remainder of its trajectory is powered by turbo jet. Type 45 torpedoes take care of submarine threats and the stealth encased automatic gun above deck provides air cover. Towed sonar can be deployed beneath the keel or in a towed array. Trailing a sonar buoy behind the ship can remove interference effects from the ship which can act on sonar systems enhancing the range and clarity of signals received from the vessel, helping with the multiple roles of the ship in minehunting for instance.
Throughout the ship there was evidence for the obvious advantages of the internal network; switchboard control stations and full information relay between the bridge and the CIC being just two examples. In all, the Swedish stealth ship is a huge leap forward in maritime technology providing five dimensional warfare capabilities; air, land, sea, electronic and stealth all within a single stealth vessel capable of evading detection from the air, land or sea based radars. Meanwhile an American version awaits financial approval on Capitol Hill.
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