Dearsan unveils its new F 142 frigate concept and USV 15 models

Luca Peruzzi

Exploiting the success obtained with the shipbuilding programme for the Turkmenistan Armed Forces, centered on the delivery of the Deniz Han corvette in August 2021, together with the two 76 meters OPV76 for the Nigerian Navy, which contract was signed one month later, alongside the launching of its unmanned surface vehicle (USV) at the beginning of 2022, the Turkish Dearsan shipyard showed for the first time at DIMDEX 2022 its new concept for a heavy armed combatant platform.

The new F 142 concept design is for a high-end frigate capable to conduct the full range of naval operations, equipped with last generation combat systems featuring active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars as well as a full range of weapon systems. Characterized by a stealth and modular design with a main integrated mast and both steel-built hull and superstructures, alongside a stern helicopter platform with hangar, according to released information, the F 142 concept frigate is 141.40 meters long and 18.50 meters wide with a displacement of 5,500 tonnes and accommodations for 188 persons. The propulsion and power generation system is centered on four main diesel engines in a CODAD (COmbined Diesel And Diesel) configuration on two shaft lines and featherable controllable pitch propellers, together with four diesel generators, providing a maximum speed of over 27 knots and an endurance of over 5,000 nm at undisclosed speed and 90 days.

The configurable combat system is characterized by an open system architecture, a high level of automation (also for the platform) and a redundant system approach. It features an advanced combat management system with advanced communications that include a tactical data link system. The sensors and weapons suite includes an air and surface surveillance 3D radar with four fixed face arrays, IFF and radar electronic support and countermeasures system (RESM/RECM) in addition to chaff and decoy launchers, electro-optical reconnaissance and surveillance system together with IRST and a 76/62 mm main gun armament fire control system as well as Strales/DART guided munitions guidance package. For anti-submarine operations, the new frigate is equipped with a hull mounted sonar and diver detection sonar (retractable) in addition to a torpedo countermeasures system. The armament includes a Leonardo 76/62 mm Super Rapido gun with Strales guided munitions, two 35 mm Rheinmetall Millennium Close-in Weapon systems, four 8-cell vertical launching system modules for surface-to-air missiles and two 8-canister launchers for anti-ship missiles, together with two 12.7 mm remotely controlled weapon systems and two torpedo launching systems.

Although the Istanbul-based shipyard announced the launch of its first unmanned surface vehicle called USV 15 last December, Dearsan unveiled its model for the first time during DIMDEX 2022.

The 15 meters USV Attack, as it has been designed, is the first member of a family of USV under development to conduct a range of naval operations including reconnaissance, surveillance and intelligence gathering, surface and asymmetric warfare, armed escort, and strategic facility security. In addition to the 15 meters multirole USV, the family also include a smaller 11-meter USV which comes in two different versions. Characterized by an open system architecture and capable to be launched, recovered and operated by a larger naval platform, the new USV can be remotely controlled from mobile vehicles, headquarters, combat centers, and floating platforms.

With a composite-made hull platform 14.79 meters long and 3.83 meters wide, the new USV propulsion is based on two diesel engines and two waterjets ensuring a maximum speed of 50 knots as well as a range of 300 nm at undisclosed speed. Characterized by an autonomous management system and a navigation and surveillance suite centered on closed-circuit TV cameras and a four thermal cameras package providing 360 degrees coverage, navigation radar, AIS, gyro, DGPS and echo sounder, the unmanned platform in its attack version is fitted with an EO/IR reconnaissance, surveillance and targeting system and two remotely controlled weapon stations, respectively equipped with a 12.7 mm machine gun and missile system, the latter weapon station firing laser-guided Cirit and L-UMTAS missiles from Turkey’s Roketsan. The communications suite with the C2 station includes SATCOM for over-the-horizon communications and a wideband transceiver for line-of-sight image/data transfer and control.

Photos by L. Peruzzi

Tweet
Share
Share