Netherlands’ Multifunction Support Ship concept via Navy Lookout

 Thanks to Joe for the link!

via Navy Lookout.

Following an evaluation of available systems, the Dutch Ministry of Defence has selected Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) as the main supplier of weapons and EW systems to equip MSS. Few nations can match the recent anti-missile combat experience and proven reliability of Israeli-manufactured systems.  The primary weapon will be the Barak-ER (Extended Range) surface-to-air missile. The MDBA Aster 30 Block 1NT missile was considered but cannot be containerised and the IAI Rafael Stunner did not fully meet RNLN requirements.

Paired with the LCF fire control and combat systems, Barak-ER can defeat a wide variety of targets, including crewed and uncrewed aircraft, anti-ship cruise missiles and ballistic missiles out to a range of 150 km and altitudes of up to 20,000m.

The MSS-based Barak-ER interceptor will be cued by the LCF’s SMART-L MM/N L-band radar that can detect threats at 2,000km range will provide the Netherlands with a short and medium-range anti-ballistic missile capability. The integration and ensuring an unbroken data link between the two platforms is perhaps the most demanding aspect of this project.

Primarily to support amphibious operations, the IAI Harap multi-mission, long-range loitering munition system has been selected for MSS. Harap can loiter over the battlespace for up to 6 hours communicating with the launch platform up to 200km range and can attack targets up to 1,000km away. It is propellor driven but can achieve speeds up to 225 knots. Harap is a human-in-the-loop system carrying an ISR payload to identify and strike targets and provide real-time battle damage assessment. It’s long range was the primary reason for selecting Harap as future amphibious operations will be carried out at dispersed locations and at increasing distance from the coast.

Harap will complete a well-balanced land attack capability being acquired by the RNLN through the LCF mid-life upgrade. This includes the 1000km-range Tomahawk missile and the Leonardo 127/64 LW Vulcano medium-calibre gun capable of firing extended-range, precision-guided Vulcano munitions up to 100km.

Increasing vulnerability of critical infrastructure in the North Sea has driven the RNLN to add underwater surveillance capabilities to the MSS. They will act as motherships for UUVs that will be procured off the shelf. MSS will be equipped with standard navigation radars but will have an IAI-made EW suite. This will enable the gathering of electronic signals and communications intelligence data and the jamming of adversary radars and UAS control systems.

MSS will be fitted with a remotely controlled cannon on the focsle, possibly the Aselsan 30 mm Muhafiz stabilised naval gun. Two crew-served .50cal machine guns will also be carried, one on either side of the bridge.

Read it all here