Third Singaporean LMV launches
Singapore Technologies Marine (ST Marine) has launched the third Littoral Mission Vessel (LMV) for the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN), Unity, the company announced on 13 October.
ST Marine received the contract to design and build eight LMVs for the RSN from the country's Ministry of Defence in 2013. Delivery of the vessels is expected to begin from 2016, with the vessels becoming fully operational by 2020. The LMVs will replace the Fearless-class patrol vessels that ST Marine designed and built in the 1990s.
The first LMV, Independence is currently undergoing its checkout, integration and testing phase for weapon systems on-board.
The second LMV, Sovereignty, will be entering sea trials soon, while the third LMV, Unity will embark on harbour acceptance trials shortly.
The LMVs are 80m long and are designed to operate in confined and congested littoral waters. The vessels can be configured with mission modules for various operations.
More from Naval Warfare
-
SEA to trial sonar software for UK Royal Navy
The UK Royal Navy’s anti-submarine warfare Spearhead programme, run by the service’s Develop Directorate, has been investigating future and existing technologies with a particular focus on the USV arena.
-
Australia’s new frigate options: No easy choices as pressure mounts on DoD
A new class of General Purpose ‘Tier 2’ frigate will replace the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN’s) Anzac-class frigates, but the selected design options appear to have major issues in terms of compatibility and availability for the future fleet.
-
Royal Navy welcomes mine-hunting mothership
RFA Stirling Castle, a 6,000-tonne vessel, will start operations later this year.
-
Royal Navy to receive DragonFire laser system
The UK Ministry of Defense (MoD) made the decision to accelerate the laser programme from the demonstrational stage to an operational laser weapon.