Posted on 12/21/2016 9:23:20 PM PST by sukhoi-30mki
South Korea's defense procurement agency Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) placed an order with Hyundai Heavy & Industries (HHI) on Tuesday to build two Daegu-class FFX-II frigates ahead of schedule to support the ailing local shipbuilding industry.
Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) launched the lead ship of the new Daegu-class FFX-II frigate for the Republic of Korea Navy (ROK Navy) on June 2, 2016. Key updates of the Batch II over the ASW-focused Batch I include VLS and full electric propulsion system, as well as a larger hangar that can accomodate a 10-ton helicopter (Batch-I has hangar for lighter helicopters like AW159). The first FFX-II Batch II ROKS Daegu during its launch ceremony. DSME picture.
The two FFX-II vessels will be the third and fourth in the series. Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) launched the lead ship of the new Daegu-class FFX-II (also known as FFX batch II) frigate for the Republic of Korea Navy (ROK Navy) on June 2, 2016. Key updates of the Batch II over the ASW-focused Batch I include VLS and full electric propulsion system, as well as a larger hangar that can accomodate a 10-ton helicopter.
FFX-II batch II is the first South Korean warship to be fitted with DRS Hybrid Electric Drive system, coupled with Rolls-Royce MT-30 gas turbine engine for CODLAG integrated full-electric propulsion. This configuration is shared with the US Navy's LCS and Zumwalt destroyers, as well as with the Royal Navy's QE aircraft carriers and future Type 26 GCS. In terms of engine technology and acoustic reduction technology, this makes FFX-II one of the most advanced and 'reduced accoustic signature' ASW frigates among western navies.
Contacted in June by Navy Recognition, a DSME reprensentative said that first ship of the class ROKS-818, Daegu will be delivered to ROK Navy in late 2017 and will be commissioned in late 2018.
FFX-II batch II is not fitted with Mk 41 VLS buth with KVLS meaning it will deploy Korean missiles (most probably designed by LIG Nex 1 such as the Cheolmae-2 medium-range air defense missile, Hong Sang Eo anti-submarine rocket, and possibly the Hyunmoo-3 series of land attack cruise missiles).
Daegu-class FFX-II frigate main specifications:
Displacement (Full): Abt. 2800 (3,600)
Length/ Beam: 122m / 14m
Max. Speed: 30 kts
Complement: 120 sailors
Major weapons: 5” Main gun (K Mk.45 Mod 4) / 20mm CIWS (Phalanx Block 1B) / KVLS (16 cells)
Propulsion: CODLOG
Incheon Class (FFX Batch-I, 6 ships)
811 – Incheon
812 – Gyeonggi
813 – Jeonbuk
815 – Gangwon
816 – Chungbuk
817 - Gwangju
Daegu Class(FFX-II or Batch-II, ? ships)
818 – Daegu
819 - ??? (Tender will be open in 2016)
Your thoughts on that idea?
Correcting the Article: LCS does not have a hybrid electric drive propulsion system.
Now, if you were Lockheed Martin, why would you be keen to allow more plug-and-play with your MK-41 system, in service with over 100 U.S. and international ships?
I think the logic behind the KVLS is for South Korea to have an added degree of sovereignty over its defense capabilities.
These are about the same size as the LCS class and are probably cheaper. Why not get Korea to build them for us?
How do they launch these?
Does whole cradle roll into water?
Curious.
Oh, I certainly understand if the ROKN want s greater autonomy over its systems. The point I would make to the Pentagon is that logistics should be more important than appeasing LockMart or any other defense contractor. Well, a guy can dream, can’t he?
We should have something like this instead of the Little Crappy Ship we are building.
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