Landsort class mine countermeasures vessel

The "Landsort" class mine countermeasures vessel is built by Swedish shipbuilding company, Kockums (formerly Karlskronavarvet) for the Swedish Navy and the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN).

Design

As a mine countermeasure vessel, the hull is made out of glass-reinforced plastic in order to lower acoustic and magnetic signatures, as well as provide improved shock resistance to underwater explosions.

The "Landsort" class is equipped for mine sweeping with both conventional mechanical sweeping gear as well as electric and acoustic sweep systems. Mine hunting capability is provided by remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) from Saab Underwater Systems, such as the Double Eagle.

"Koster" Class

In December 2004, the Swedish Navy awarded Kockums a contract for the mid-life upgrade for five of the "Landsort" class (excluding HSWMS "Landsort" and HSWMS "Arholma"). The upgrade includes a new mine countermeasures (MCM) system, adaptations for interntational operations as well as a new air defence systems involving moving and modification of the Arte 726 from the "Kaparen" class fast patrol boats. [cite web | title=Midlife upgrade of Landsort class MCM vessels | work=Royal Swedish Navy | url=http://www.4sjostridsflj.mil.se/article.php?id=5368 | accessdate=2008-04-18] The first is expected to be completed in 2008. The upgraded vessels will be renamed as the "Koster" class, as the first vessel to be upgraded is HSwMS "Koster" (formerly the third ship in the "Landsort" class). [cite web | title=42. MCM Squadron | work=Royal Swedish Navy | url=http://www.4sjostridsflj.mil.se/article.php?id=15397 | accessdate=2008-04-18]

On 31 January 2005 a contract exceeding €30 million was awarded to Atlas Elektronik for the upgrade of these five vessels with the Atlas Integrated MCM Systems (IMCMS-S). The systems will be commissioned into operational service between 2008 and 2009. [cite web | title=Royal Swedish Navy Procures Atlas Minehunting Systems | work=Atlas Elektronik | url=http://www.atlas-elektronik.com/fileadmin/Objekte/pdf/public_relations/press_releases/newsletter/NL_01_2007.pdf | accessdate=2008-04-18] [cite web | title=BAE Systems Investor Brief - February 2005 | work=BAE Systems | url=http://ir.baesystems.com/investors/shareholder/comms/2005comms/2005-03-01/#ig1 | accessdate=2008-04-18] The system combines minehunting, minesweeping, mine disposal, surveillance and communication with other naval forces. It comprises a Atlas MCM Tactical Command and Control system, a broadband Atlas HMS-12M hull-mounted sonar and a Atlas mine identification and disposal system (MIDS) Seafox. The IMCMS-S onboard also fully integrates sensors and effectors like the self-propelled variable depth sonar, underwater positioning system, navigation radar and sensors, conventional MIDS systems, and air defence system. [cite journal | last= | first= | year=2007 | month=July | title=IMCMS (Germany), Mine Warfare - Mine Warfare Combat Management | journal=Jane's Underwater Warfare Systems | volume= | issue= | pages=]

The vessels are also upgraded to have Link 16 capability. [cite web | title=Technical Specification for the Link 16 Stand Alone System | work=Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) | url=http://www.fmv.se/upload/Bilder%20och%20dokument/Upphandling/Kaama/290736-AI688242.pdf | accessdate=2008-04-18]

"Bedok" Class

The "Bedok" class of the RSN is configured with the Thomson-CSF TSM 2061 Mk II mine hunting and mine disposal system, Thomson-CSF TSM 2022 hull-mounted high frequency sonar, two ECA PAP 104 Mk 5 ROVs, Signaal WM20 director, Norcontrol DB2000 navigation radar and Racal Precision Navigation System. [cite book | author=Stephen Saunders | title=Jane's Fighting Ships, 2005-06 | publisher=Jane's Information Group | year=2005 | id=ISBN 071-062-692-4]

The "Bedok" class form the 194 Squadron of the RSN, under the Coastal Command.

References

External links

* [http://www.kockums.se/SurfaceVessels/landsort.html Kockums - Landsort Class]
* [http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/landsort/ Naval Technology - Landsort Class MCMV]