Skjold

The Skjold-class of fast attack craft has been designed to meet the requirements of the Royal Norwegian Navy for an anti-invasion, fast attack operations and patrolling in the waters surrounding Norway. Also referred to as Missile Torpedo Boats (MTBs), these ships are based on the air cushion catamaran design with the hull made of fiber reinforced plastic (FRP). The prototype, KNM Skjold, was handed over to the Norwegian Navy in 1999 for evaluation. In November 2003, the Norwegian Ministry of Defense awarded a 2 billion NOK contract to Skjold Prime Consortium (SPC) for the upgrade of prototype and delivery of five vessels between 2008 and 2009. SPC consortium comprises Umoe Mandal, Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace and Armaris (DCNS + Thales) as lead contractor. The Skjold class vessel has been provided with stealthy hull design, special doors and hatches, hull-integrated missile launchers at the aft deck, and Radar Absorbing Materials (RAM) resulting in a low radar signature ship. The ship's infrared, magnetic and underwater acoustic signatures have been reduced as well. The propulsion system comprises two Rolls Royce S-80 water jets and 2 x 4000 kW plus 2x2000 kW Pratt & Whitney gas turbines in COGAG (Combined Gas and Gas) configurations. The two 700 kW MTU diesel engines provide power for the two lift fans and the electric power supply. All in, the Skjold-class crafts develop a top speed of 60 knots with seastate 0 and 45 knots with seastate 3. The weapon package provided to these ships include an OTO Melara 76/62mm naval gun with stealth shield mounted on the fore deck and eight NSM anti-ship missiles. Mistral surface-to-air missiles are also planned. The state-of-the-art combat management system is based on DCNS SENIT 2000 and only requires seven operators. Two-man are assigned to the ship's navigation. The sensor package includes: Thales MRR /3D NG surveillance radar; SAGEM VIGY 20 Electro optical multi sensor; Sofresud QPD Optical sight; EDO RSS CS 3701 ESM; Saab Tech CEROS 200 Fire Control Tracker; Litton Navigation radar; and THALES IFF interrogator/transponder. DCNS will provide link 11 and 16 interoperable data links. Typically, the Skjold-class fast attack crafts will operate with a crew of 15 to 18 men. However, these vessels can accommodate up to 21 people. In 2016 the Norwegian government decided to scrap all Skjold vessels as soon as the F-35A becomes fully operational with the Air Force in the early 2020s.

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