F-110 Frigate - Design
The F-110 class frigates will be the future of the surface of the Spanish force. It is a joint design between Navantia and the Spanish Navy. They are intended to act in support of the ocean patrol of the BAM type when operating in conflict zones or in conjunction with the large F-101 Álvaro de Bazán class frigates providing complementary capabilities. The Navy seeks a multipurpose vessel with low operating costs and reduced radar signature. As these types of vessels will coexist for many years of its operational life. want to supplement features a versatile vessel with greater capacity than the existing anti-submarine and a smaller anti-aircraft potential. The end of the Cold War decreased the presence of submarine forces of the Warsaw Pact but there have appeared, or are in the process of emergence others in waters of interest to Spain, in countries located in the North of Africa, both sides of the Altantic, and in the Mediterranean.
The ships will work as an intermediate solution between the BAM (Buque de Acción Marítima) ships and Álvaro de Bazán class frigates, providing maritime security, mine countermeasures, escort duties and many other possibilities. The Navy already suggested that it would have features and a size midway between the current Maritime Action Ship (BAM), just over 93.9 meters in length and 2,670 tons displacement, and the frigates F-100, whose displacement is 5,800 tons spread over its 147 meters. Its design will highlight the innovation of having a single mast which will built with all antennas and rotating elements.
To suit the objectives of each moment, the F-110, which the Navy expected to have to beyond 2050, will have a multimission modular space. So, as appropriate, in this space can accommodate unmanned vehicles, special operations vessels or containers for different uses, depending on the nature of the operations to be undertaken. Most of the F-110 capabilities will be permanent, the "basic capabilities" of the ship. In addition, the F-110 will have a flexible multi-mission space dedicated to allocate modular capabilities, non- permanent, to increase the basic capabilities of the ship for specific mission profiles. Every modular capability is composed of a mission module, which is the mission systems and support equipment, plus the personnel required to operate them at sea.
A number of modular capabilities were identified, and outlined in the Staff Requirement Document. These include naval special warfare, unmanned vehicles operations (UAV, USV, et cetera), medical support, a prison module, and others. In accordance with the mission profile, different combinations of mission modules can be embarked. Studies are intended to identify all the requirements with regard to the frigate, both those directly related to the ship and also those related to doctrine, organization, infrastructure, facilities ashore, and related issues.
Although preliminary projects studied different hull designs, including a trimaran version, a monocoque solution was retained, with a bow bulb which will accommodate sonar transducer. The design seems to be derived of that of the frigates F-101 Álvaro de Bazán and F-300 Fridtjof Nansen. It would have as elements of stabilization of the platform, balance keels and fins stabilizers. The frigates will be between 4,500 and 5,000 tons displacement. What puts them in size above the F-80 and below the F-100.
For the propuision different combinations were studied with gas turbines and diesel. A hybrid plant of the type CODELAG (COmbined Diesel-ELectric And Gas) gas turbine with diesel engine and two electric motors would move two-axis propellers five blades and two rudders. There is that they can reach a maximum speed of 28 knots. keeping cruise 17 knots.
The superstructure occupies two-thirds of the length of the ship, leaving free the bow area for the installation of armament and the stern, as usual, for the flight deck. The bridge extends over entire width of the hull and is reminiscent of the already mentioned classes. Each side of the hull would have two large openings for the assault craft stowage and loading container with complementary equipment to other missions. A striking novelty is the integrated mast with antennas and sensors of all detection systems, located on the bridge spanning the breadth of the ship. The integrated mast occupies all the breadth of the ship and its height is equal to or superior to that of the hull and superstructure.
Is was expected that the sensors include Phased Array Radars [PAR] more advanced than the Aegis SPV-1 available in the F-100. The Navy believes that the Aegis are too expensive in the situation from a single supplier. Therefore, there are another way of solution. Thus was created a UTE (temporary Union of companies), formed by Indra and Navantia, with the aim of developing an air radar solid state and digital beam forming technology. The incorporation of a technology (Lockheed Martin or CEA) is probably the line to follow. If it is confirmed the interest of the Royal Australian Navy in these vessels, collaboration with the Australian company CEA, which has developed the CEAFAR (Active Phased Array Radar) and the CEAMOUNT (Active Phased Array llluminator) which can fit into the requirements of this class of frigates.
Additionally, each ship will have a towed sonar for its outstanding mission-submarine warfare. At this point, the F-110 significantly exceed the F-100, considered one of the best frigates in the world in assets, and the best of Europe, but it only has to deal with submersibles. The new frigates will also be equipped to repel especially asymmetric threats, an area that until recently was hardly considered. In the drawings available there is situated in the bulb's bow a bi-static or multi-static sonar. In the centre of the transom is a gate that may serve to accommodate any type of sound cable. Also on the transom there are openings for a system of deception of acoustic torpedoes. To half a boat length on the superstructure, between large portholes of the multi-mission spaces, other smaller openings can be possibly for ASW torpedo tubes.
In relation to systems of weapons in the bow area there would be a 127 mm, 5 "/54 Mark 45, or more probably 5"/62, a MR 41 VLS launcher with 24 cells for Standard or Sea Sparrow type missiles, although it was the missile still to be determined. On the superstructure, between integrated mast and the exhaust stack and placed in a pit there might be two quadruple missile launchers, possibly Harpoon or a derivative of this. More towards the stern are observed on the sides two 25 mm guns operated away from the CIC. According to some sources expected that the modernization of half life (MLU - Mid Life Update) can make use of systems against ballistic missiles. In relation to aviation, the frigates will have a wide flight aft, deck with hangar for two medium helicopters and UAVS. These will be the first Navy ships designed specifically to operate standalone UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) take-off vertically to patrol tasks and combat, AUV (Autonomous Underwater Vehicle) for tasks in the fight against mines and UNV (Unmanned on Vehicle) for surveillance and fight against mines.
The crew will be very small, in the neighborhood of 120-130 people, versus the 225 of the F-80 and 250 people of the F-100. Capacity will be available to increase number for personnel transport depending on the missions and specific equipment. This implies to be a ship with a high degree of automation that can carry out, without the presence of the crew, tasks that were formerly assumed by it.
Since these frigates were in phase of concept definition, it was likely that changes will be made in the design and characteristics that are pointed out here.
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