The Formidable class multi-role stealth frigates are the latest platforms to enter into service with the Republic of Singapore Navy, and are multi-mission derivatives of the French Navy’s La Fayette class frigate.^[1] The frigates are key network-centric warfare nodes and are “by far the most advanced surface combatants in Southeast Asia".^[2] The six ships form the 185 Squadron of the Navy. Image File history File links RSS Formidable at sea © MINDEF File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Principle of a CODAD propulsion system Combined diesel and diesel (CODAD) is a propulsion system for ships using two diesel engines to power a single propeller shaft. ... The Harpoon is an all-weather, over-the-horizon, anti-ship missile system, originally developed by McDonnell Douglas of the United States, with development and manufacturing now taken over by Boeing Integrated Defense Systems. ... Aster is a family of surface-to-air missiles manufactured by Eurosam, a European consortium consisting of MBDA France, MBDA Italy (combined 66%) and the Thales Group (33%). // The Aster family was developed to perform three distinct missions: Naval autodefence — using the Aster 15 surface-to-air anti-missile missile... DCNS is a naval defence company based in France and is one of Europes leading shipbuilders. ... The Oto Melara 76 mm gun is a polyvalent naval artillery piece built by the Italian company Otobreda and Oto Melara. ... The Thales Group (Euronext: HO) is a global electronics company serving aerospace, defence, and information technology markets worldwide. ... Terma A/S is a Danish company that develops and markets high-tech solutions, systems, and products for civilian and military applications. ... EDO Corporation (NYSE: EDO) designs and manufactures a diverse range of products for defense, intelligence, and commercial markets, and provides related engineering and professional services. ... RAFAEL logo RAFAEL Armament Development Authority, known as RAFAEL or Rafael, (also spelled as Raphael or Rephael, and in Hebrew: רפאל - רשות לפיתוח אמצעי לחימה) is the Israeli authority for development of weapons and military technology. ... For the lead singer of Republica see Saffron Saffron is the name given to the dried stigmata and part of the style of the saffron crocus, traditionally called Crocus sativus, which are harvested, dried, and used for cooking. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with UH-60 Black Hawk. ... The Republic of Singapore Navy (Abbreviation: RSN; Chinese: 新加坡共和国海军部队; Malay: Angkatan Laut Republik Singapura) is the navy of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), responsible for the defence of Singapore against sea-borne threats and protection of its sea lines of communications. ... The French Navy, officially called the National Navy (French: Marine Nationale) is the maritime arm of the French military. ... The La Fayette class units are light multi-mission frigates built by DCN and operated by France (Marine Nationale), Saudi Arabia, Singapore (Republic of Singapore Navy) and Republic of China (Taiwan) (Republic of China Navy). ... Network-centric warfare (NCW), now commonly called Network-centric operations (NCO), is a new military doctrine or theory of war pioneered by the United States Department of Defense. ...

History

The search for a replacement for the aging Sea Wolf class missile gunboats, which entered into service in 1972, started in the mid 1990s. In March 2000, the Singapore Ministry of Defence awarded the contract to DCNS for the design and construction of six frigates. A key feature of the contract was the technology transfer arrangement. Under the arrangement, DCNS was to design and build the first frigate in its Lorient yard in France while the remaining five frigates were to be built locally by Singapore Technologies (ST) Marine at its Benoi yard in Singapore. Subsequent maintenance and mid-life retrofit will be done by ST Marine. The Ministry of Defence (abbreviated MINDEF) is entrusted with overseeing the defence needs of the Republic of Singapore. ... DCNS is a naval defence company based in France and is one of Europes leading shipbuilders. ... Technology transfer is the process of developing practical applications for the results of scientific research. ...

Construction of the Formidable began in late 2002, when the keel was laid down in Lorient on November 2002.

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Design & Construction

Stealth technology has been incorporated into the design of the Formidable class and they are shaped to reduce their radar cross section. The Formidable class have a significantly reduced profile than the La Fayette class and its other derivatives,^[3] due to the smaller superstructure and the use of enclosed sensor mast technology.^[4] The frigates also possess better sea keeping qualities and are able to stay at sea for longer periods of time.^[5] F-117 Stealth Fighter Stealth technology covers a range of techniques used with aircraft, ships and missiles, in order to make them less visible (ideally invisible) to radar, infrared and other detection methods. ... Radar cross section (RCS) is a description of how an object reflects an incident electromagnetic wave. ...

The frigates are equipped with the Thales Herakles phased-array multi-function radar, which provides three-dimensional surveillance for up to 250 kilometres.^[6] The radar provides all-round automatic search & tracking of both air and surface targets, and is integrated with the MBDA Aster air defence system.^[7] Utilising the DCNS Sylver A43 vertical launch system, each frigate is capable of carrying 32 cells. In anti-missile mode, the Aster 15 onboard has a range of 15km. The Aster 15 also provides protection against manned and unmanned aircraft up to a range of 30km.^[8] The Thales Group (Euronext: HO) is a global electronics company serving aerospace, defence, and information technology markets worldwide. ... Aster is a family of surface-to-air missiles manufactured by Eurosam, a European consortium consisting of MBDA France, MBDA Italy (combined 66%) and the Thales Group (33%). // The Aster family was developed to perform three distinct missions: Naval autodefence — using the Aster 15 surface-to-air anti-missile missile... Categories: Stub ...

The frigates are equipped with Boeing Harpoon missiles and Oto Melara 76 mm guns for surface defence. The Harpoon has a range of 117km and uses active radar guidance. It is armed with a 227kg warhead. The Oto Melara 76 mm gun gun fires 6kg shells to a range of 16km at a firing rate up to 120 rounds per minute. The Harpoon is an all-weather, over-the-horizon, anti-ship missile system, originally developed by McDonnell Douglas of the United States, with development and manufacturing now taken over by Boeing Integrated Defense Systems. ... The Oto Melara 76 mm gun is a polyvalent naval artillery piece built by the Italian company Otobreda and Oto Melara. ... The Oto Melara 76 mm gun is a polyvalent naval artillery piece built by the Italian company Otobreda and Oto Melara. ...

The frigates are also equipped with the EDO active low frequency towed sonar to enable long range submarine detection and classification, as well as two triple-barrelled lightweight torpedo launchers armed with Eurotorp A244/S Mod 3 torpedoes. EDO Corporation (NYSE: EDO) designs and manufactures a diverse range of products for defense, intelligence, and commercial markets, and provides related engineering and professional services. ...

The frigates will be equipped with Sikorsky S-70B naval helicopters, an international derivative of the United States Navy SH-60B Seahawk. The Ministry of Defence signed a contract with Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation in January 2005 to acquire six of these helicopters, which will be organic to the frigates. These naval helicopters are equipped with anti-surface and anti-submarine combat systems, extending the ship’s own surveillance and over-the-horizon targeting and anti-submarine warfare capabilities. The naval helicopters will be raised as a squadron in the Republic of Singapore Air Force and piloted by air force pilots, but the system operators will be from the Navy. The naval helicopters are projected for delivery between 2008 and 2010.^[9] The United States Navy, also known as the USN or the U.S. Navy, is a branch of the United States armed forces responsible for conducting naval operations. ... Sikorsky SH-60B Seahawk The SH-60B is designed to operate as an integral fighting unit aboard specifically configured Oliver Hazard Perry (FFG-7) class Guided Missile Frigates, Spruance (DDG-963) class Destroyers, Kidd (DDG-993), class Guided Missile Destroyers and Ticonderoga (CG-47) class Guided Missile Cruisers. ... Sikorsky is an American aircraft and helicopter manufacturer. ...

References

1. ^ Formidable Frigate. DCNS. Retrieved on 2007-05-28.
2. ^ Singapore’s Navy Cruises Toward Blue-Water Force. Defence News. Retrieved on 2007-05-29.
3. ^ DCNS - European Leader in Naval Defence. DCNS. Retrieved on 2007-05-29.
4. ^ Surface Forces. Strategy Page. Retrieved on 2007-05-29.
5. ^ Capabilities of the Frigate. MINDEF. Retrieved on 2007-05-28.
6. ^ Thales Herakles. Thales. Retrieved on 2007-05-28.
7. ^ Combat Systems of the Frigate. MINDEF. Retrieved on 2007-05-28.
8. ^ Formidable Class Multi-Mission Frigates, Singapore. Naval Technology. Retrieved on 2007-05-28.
9. ^ Republic of Singapore Navy Acquires Six New Naval Helicopters. Sikorsky Corporation. Retrieved on 2005-01-26.