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STX Defendseas

STX France took the world by surprise when it announced the Defendseas corvette based on a ground-breaking concept. The design arose as part of an R&D project looking at new concepts for civil and naval vessels. A dedicated project team has been in place since 2013. Defendseas, the corvette concept presented in October 2014 by STX France, incorporates a large number of technological bricks developed by the R&D department of the shipyard, in a compact and efficient ship architecture for a better operational efficiency.

A key element of the concept, the helicopter's storage shed is concentrated at the lower level of the ship and is serviced by an elevator system, thus freeing up space in the superstructure. This hangar is integrated in a large modular area of 500m² located at the rear and reconfigurable according to the missions, where can be stored heavy commando boats, 20 feet containers and / or light military vehicles. The launching of the RIB is ensured by a rear ramp or by two doors of plating. A unique multi-functional crane makes it possible both to launch boats and to load containers directly from a dock.

The superstructures, surmounted by a panoramic walkway with integrated PC Avia, shelter the living and operational premises and the storage of an aerial drone. Finally the Defendseas is designed to integrate a set of weapons and consistent sensors that give it all the qualities of a combat ship. The Defendseas team has also built on STX France’s expertise in civil and naval shipbuilding to propose a platform combining proven solutions with an innovative architecture and layout. One of the eye-catching features of the corvette design is an ingenious helo handling system in the form of a lift that fits between two sections of a retractable deck.

Overall, the new design offers better use of available volumes. The hangar opens directly aft onto a 500sq.m modular space divided into three mission-configurable bays (typically for 9.5m heavy RHIBs) and four more for 20 foot containers (for additional RHIBs or light military vehicles).

The Defendseas combat system includes 12 vertical launch cells near the flight deck for surface-to-air missiles, four anti-ship missiles stored in paired launchers, a 76mm gun flanked by a pair of 12.7mm machine guns on the forward deck, and two remotely controlled 20mm machine guns aft. The sensor suite features a 3D search radar and an optronicfire control system. Last but not least, the super.structure, weapon systems and payload are all designed for optimal stealth.