Feature 6 | Frigates and opvs
Integrated mast for Dutch OPVs
Thales Nederland has signed a E125 million contract for four integrated
mast systems to be installed on four OPVs.
A
t the end of 2007, The for the OPVs will provide a solution to a cabling is usually required, and much
Netherlands’ Defence Materiel number of sensor problems encountered on valuable space is required to accommodate
Organisation (DMO) contracted naval platforms, which may have as many processing cabinets.
Thales Nederland to develop and supply as 100 different antennas for surveillance, However, with the integrated mast, the
four integrated masts systems which will communications, fire control, and navigation, mast and equipment are built and tested in
be installed on four Ocean Patrol Vessels systems that usually compete for deck parallel with the ship, and when the ship is
(OPVs) that are being built for the Royal space, which may also block one another ready, the mast is installed on the ship as a
Netherlands Navy. The first ship is due to and cause electro-magnetic interference. turn-key system. It has a simple interface
be handed over to the Royal Netherlands Unfortunately, this phenomenon generally to the ship’s power supply, cooling water
Navy at the end of 2010. only becomes apparent after the installation supply, combat system, and deck structure.
The integrated mast is a radical departure of the equipment, especially if multiple The integrated mast concept thus reduces
from the traditional sensor layout onboard suppliers are involved. the time required to build the ship.
naval vessels, with one central mast Traditional sensor and antenna The Royal Netherlands Navy’s new
structure housing all radar, optronic, and arrangements significantly increase the OPVs are intended as flexible, high
communication sensors and antennas, as time and costs to build naval warships. endurance vessels designed for a range of
well as all cabinets and peripherals. The Apart from several iterations to find roles such as countering drug trafficking
advantages of this kind of integrated mast suitable antenna arrangements, shipyards and humanitarian missions. The integrated
and sensor concept are significant and have to negotiate with several equipment mast fitted onboard the OPVs will contain
include better operational performance, suppliers about power supplies, deck a number of the sensors, including SMILE,
higher operational availability, reduced structure adaptations, electrical interfaces, a non-rotating phased array radar with
shipbuilding time, reduced maintenance cabling, and cooling. Equipment four faces that is derived from the proven
requirements, and significant savings in installation is a critical path during SMART and APAR radar systems. SMILE
below-deck space. shipbuilding programmes, and a shipyard uses a multi-beam volume search concept
Thales is design authority for the starts installation only after it has finished with four active phased array faces that
integrated mast and will sub-contract the the ship, including the welding, painting, ensure simultaneous performance of
design and supply of the steel structure installation of cabins and so forth. It then operational tasks at a high update rate and
to shipyards and integrate all sensor and brings in the above-deck and below-deck very low false alarm rate.
communication systems. equipment, cabling and wave-guides, and Also fitted within the integrated mast on
Thales notes that the integrated masts integrates the sensors. Much expensive the OPVs will be SEASTAR, a non-rotating
active phased array radar for surface
surveillance. This system automatically
detects and tracks asymmetric threats and
very small objects such as swimmers and
periscopes in all weather conditions and
can also be used for helicopter guidance.
GATEKEEPER, a 360° panoramic
electro-optical surveillance and alerter
system based on IR/TV technology will
also be integrated into the mast. It is
designed to counter threats such as small
boats and swimmers, and increase short-
range situational awareness in the littoral
environment.WT
thales is the design authority for the
integrated mast for the royal netherlands
navy’s new opvs, shown here.
32 Warship Technology May 2008
WT May 08 - p32.indd 32 23/04/2008 16:18:11
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