Landsort-class mine countermeasures vessel

	Bedok class MCMVs berthed at Changi Naval Base during the Navy Open House 2007
Class overview
Name	Landsort
Operators	Swedish Navy; Republic of Singapore Navy;
Subclasses	Bedok class; Koster class;
Completed	11
General characteristics
Type	mine countermeasures vessel
Displacement	270 tonnes (standard); 360 tonnes (full load);
Length	47.5 m (156 ft)
Beam	9.6 m (31 ft)
Draught	2.3 m (7.5 ft)
Installed power	Two 225 kVA, one 135 kVA
Propulsion	Four Saab Scania DSI 14 diesel engines, coupled to two Voith Schneider Propellers
Speed	15 knots (28 km/h)
Range	2,000 nautical miles (4,000 km) at 12 knots (22 km/h)
Sensors and ; processing systems	Navigation radar: Terma Electronic I-band navigation radar; Sonar: Thales Underwater System TSM-2022 hull-mounted mine hunting sonar; EOD: Saab Systems 9LV 100 optronic weapon director;
Electronic warfare ; & decoys	ESM: Thales Matilda radar warning system; Decoys: Saab Systems Philax decoy launchers;
Armament	Gun: 40 mm lvakan M/48; Anti-submarine: Saab anti-submarine mortar launchers;
Notes	Ships in class include: Sweden: HMS Landsort (M71), HMS Arholma (M72), HMS Koster (M73), HMS Kullen (M74), HMS Vinga (M75), HMS Ven (M76), HMS Ulvön (M77); Singapore: RSS Bedok (M105), RSS Kallang (M106), RSS Katong (M107), RSS Punggol (M108);

The Landsort class mine countermeasures vessel were built by Swedish shipbuilding company, Kockums (formerly Karlskronavarvet) for the Swedish Navy and the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) between 1983 and 1996.

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.

Bedok Class

The Bedok class of the Republic of Singapore Navy 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.^[1]

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

Koster Class

HMS Ulvön after "Koster" modernisation. The fire control radar is clearly visible.

In December 2004, the Swedish Navy awarded Kockums a contract for the mid-life upgrade for five of the Landsort class (excluding HMS Landsort and HMS Arholma). The upgrade includes a new mine countermeasures (MCM) system, adaptations for international operations as well as a new air defence systems involving moving and modification of the Arte 726 from the Kaparen class fast patrol boats.^[2] 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 HMS Koster (formerly the third ship in the Landsort class).^[3]

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.^[4]^[5] The system combines minehunting, minesweeping, mine disposal, surveillance and communication with other naval forces. It comprises an Atlas MCM Tactical Command and Control system, a broadband Atlas HMS-12M hull-mounted sonar and an 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.^[6]

The vessels are also upgraded to have Link 16 capability.^[7]

References

^ Stephen Saunders (2005). Jane's Fighting Ships, 2005-06. Jane's Information Group. ISBN 0-7106-2692-4.
^ "Midlife upgrade of Landsort class MCM vessels". Royal Swedish Navy. Retrieved 2008-04-18.^{[permanent dead link‍]}
^ "42. MCM Squadron". Royal Swedish Navy. Retrieved 2008-04-18.^{[permanent dead link‍]}
^ "Royal Swedish Navy Procures Atlas Minehunting Systems" (PDF). Atlas Elektronik. Retrieved 2008-04-18. ^{[dead link‍]}
^ "BAE Systems Investor Brief - February 2005". BAE Systems. Retrieved 2008-04-18.^{[permanent dead link‍]}
^ "IMCMS (Germany), Mine Warfare - Mine Warfare Combat Management". Jane's Underwater Warfare Systems. July 2007.
^ "Technical Specification for the Link 16 Stand Alone System" (PDF). Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-06-13. Retrieved 2008-04-18.

External links

[1] Stephen Saunders (2005). Jane's Fighting Ships, 2005-06. Jane's Information Group. ISBN 0-7106-2692-4.

[2] "Midlife upgrade of Landsort class MCM vessels". Royal Swedish Navy. Retrieved 2008-04-18.^{[permanent dead link‍]}

[3] "42. MCM Squadron". Royal Swedish Navy. Retrieved 2008-04-18.^{[permanent dead link‍]}

[4] "Royal Swedish Navy Procures Atlas Minehunting Systems" (PDF). Atlas Elektronik. Retrieved 2008-04-18. ^{[dead link‍]}

[5] "BAE Systems Investor Brief - February 2005". BAE Systems. Retrieved 2008-04-18.^{[permanent dead link‍]}

[6] "IMCMS (Germany), Mine Warfare - Mine Warfare Combat Management". Jane's Underwater Warfare Systems. July 2007.

[7] "Technical Specification for the Link 16 Stand Alone System" (PDF). Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-06-13. Retrieved 2008-04-18.

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