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ADEX 2023 – Hanwha unveils an all-unmanned concept carrier

At adex 2023 hanwha exhibited the model of a concept ship, shown last june at madex, designed as an unmanned carrier, capable to deploy unmanned air, surface and underwater vehicles.

When visiting an Aerospace and Defense Exhibition, the spelling for ADEX, mostly oriented towards aviation and land equipment, writing on naval subjects might seem strange. But what is even stranger is the model exhibited by Hanwha, a futuristic approach to the unmanned naval world.

The “Ghost Commander”, the name says all, is a concept study that gave birth to two ship designs, a bigger one and a smaller one, that in perspective will allow an unmanned ship to deploy air, surface and subsurface unmanned assets to ensure a number of missions without putting at risk human crews.

The bigger ship, which eye-catching model was exhibited at the Seoul event, is a 16,000 tonnes hybrid between a battleship and an aircraft carrier, with a length of 200 metres and a maximum speed of 25 knots. The trimaran hull is characterised by an inverted bow, all-electric propulsion being provided electric motors powered by hydrogen fuel cells, a two-pod solution being proposed, each with a five-blade propeller. The main flight deck is coaxial with the hull and runs along the whole ship, a takeoff runway being also coaxial while a second much shorter runway is located starboard, slightly angled to the right. Both are used only for take-off operations, as the stern superstructure does not allow landings. While the longer runway is used to launch bigger UAVs, the starboard one is reserved to smaller airframes.

As for landing, a very short runway with arresting cable is located on top of the superstructure, angled left; an elevator on the port side allows to lower the landed UAV in the hangar where a robotic system will allow automatic turnaround operations to get the airframe ready for the next mission. On that same flight deck, on the port side, we could see the landing spots for vertical take-off and landing UAVs.

Being a concept ship many solutions might change, however catapult-assisted take off and arresting gear landings seem to be the current choice, although much will depend on UAV performances. Six long-range reconnaissance UAVs with a nearly fly wing configuration are hosted o the ship, the same number of shorter rage airframes being also embarked. For offensive and defensive purposes a total of 48 vertically launched systems, with a mix of loitering munitions and antidrone UAVs, compete the flight detachment.

Transversally to the ship, a rail system allows to carry unmanned surface vessels (USV) at the launch station, where a sort of cage takes the system and lowers it at sea. Two types of USV will be embarked, six specialised in reconnaissance missions, six other being multipurpose boats. No more details were available on USVs.

Another rail allows bringing astern unmanned underwater vehicles (UUV) to be launched. The ship hosts eight surveillance UUVs, also defined MRXUUVs, MR standing for multirole as they are reconfigurable according to the mission, that can be anti submarine warfare (ASuW) or mine warfare (MIW). Around 24 metres long, with a 3.0 metres diameter, it has a weight of around 50 tonnes. Propulsion is provided by a fuel cell air independent propulsion system and a lithium ion battery pack that powers the electric motor activating a ducted blade propeller that ensures an 8 knots maximum speed. It is fitted with flank array sonars and with a forward looking sonar. Free flooded rings complete its sensors suite, while a mine module allows it to be used for offensive or defensive mine operations. The MRXUUV is fitted with a hoistable mast that carries electro-optic sensors and antennas for surface and satellite communications.

The ship also hosts three Combat XLLUVs. Its dimensions and weight are not very dissimilar from those of the MRXUUV, with a 2.5 metres diameter and a 23 metres length, weight remaining the same at 50 tonnes; only the maximum speed is considerably higher, up to 15 knots. Its stealth characteristics are improved thank to the low noise propeller, a minimal magnetic signature and the strict control on underwater radiated noise. It can be fitted with flank array sonar and multiple aperture sonar and can be armed with torpedoes and mines. It can be equipped with a mast dedicated to a LEO ( Low Earth Orbit ) satellite antenna as well as with a second mast for other equipment, for example electro-optic, both being foldable. The Combat XLLUV can be tasked for numerous missions, antisubmarine, antisurface, mine warfare as well as counter-mine operations.

The smaller ship part of the Ghost Commander concept is also based on a trimaran hull and has a 5,000 tonnes displacement, is 130 metres long and can reach 25 knots, the propulsion plant remaining similar athough with a lesser power. Due to the central superstructure it has only a stern flight deck and therefore can only operate vertical take-off and landing UAVs. The ship carries four such UAVs, while a 24 cell system allows the vertical launch of loitering munitions and antidrone UAVs, half the load of the bigger ship. As for USVs and UUVs, the smaller ship capacity is for six each of the multirole assets. According to images provided in a presentation, the 5,000 tonnes ship will also be armed with a gun.

EDR On-Line understood that although the final target is to have a fully unmanned solution, intermediate steps might see the presence of a much reduced crew, awaiting some technologies to be fully developed. As for the timetable, a first prototype is foreseen in 10-15 years. And it might look pretty different from the model seen at ADEX, as concept studies tend to evolve pretty quickly.

Photos by P. Valpolini

• ← ADEX 2023 – Hyundai Rotem unveils its N-WAV 8×8 IFV prototype
• ADEX 2023 – KAI unveils its Combat Collaborative System →

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DSEI 2023: Hyundai Heavy Industries HHI unveils HCX-23 trimaran .

Amid the buzz and activity at the ongoing Defense and Security Equipment International (DSEI) 2023, Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) of South Korea has taken center stage with its latest naval innovation: the HCX-23 trimaran concept model. Follow Navy Recognition on Google News at this link

Previously showcased at the MADEX 2023 South Korean International Maritime Defense Industry Exhibition in Busan, this vessel is now drawing global attention.

The HCX-23 represents a significant leap in naval design with an emphasis on stealth. Its design incorporates a highly stealthy trimaran structure and a retractable radar system.

Notably, the rear of the bridge can accommodate multiple quadcopter drones. At the rear, there is a dedicated helicopter flight deck optimized for vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) operations. This deck is designed to host drones.

Beyond aerial capabilities, the HCX-23 is equipped for marine operations as well. Its stern features a specialized hatch that facilitates the launch and recovery of both unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) and unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs). With the integration of two water-jet propulsion systems, the vessel stands as a testament to HHI's commitment to advancing naval mobility.

Technical Specifications for the HCX-23 include a length of 130 meters, a breadth of 36 meters, and a displacement of 6,000 tonnes. In terms of armament, the ship features a laser weapon naval gun and a KVLS-I/II type vertical launch system with 48 cells.

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China’s New Super Carrier: How It Compares To The US Navy’s Ford Class

A new aircraft carrier, currently under construction in shanghai, is the most visible sign of china's rapidly expanding navy. it is larger than china's current two carriers and differs in key aspects. but the natural comparison is to the u.s. navy's latest carriers, the ford class..

H I Sutton 02 Jul 2021

Aircraft carriers are a strategic priority for the world’s leading navies. Experienced players such as the Royal Navy, French Navy (Marine Nationale) and Indian Navy are all in the process of bringing in new carriers. And Japan, South Korea and likely other countries are all taking steps to join the club. But nowhere is the capability gathering steam as much as in China. The Chinese Navy (PLAN) has already commissioned two carriers based on the Russian Admiral Kutzenov class. But their third carrier, known as Type-003 , promises to take the PLAN to the next level.

Meanwhile the U.S. Navy, for decades the world leader in this technology, is also modernizing with a new class of super carrier. The first Ford Class ship, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) was commissioned in 2017. While it has suffered some teething problems it remains the largest and most modern carrier afloat.

The Type-003 is very close in size to the U.S. Navy’s carriers. And although the definition is vague, it seems fair to also describe it as a “super carrier”.

Fresh commercial satellite imagery from Kompsat, via Shadowbreak Inti., allows us to finally measure the size and layout of the Type-003. This permits a general high-level comparison to the Ford Class.

The imagery shows that it is approximately 320 meters (1,050 feet) long. This is about 13 meters (43 feet) shorter than the Ford Class. And it seems less than it sounds if you placed the two ships side by side.

The Chinese ship does have a narrower flight deck however, It’s width of about 73 meters (240 feet) is very similar to preceding Type-001 and Type-002 carriers. There may be logistical reasons for this, such as dry dock sizes. Or it may simply be that the Chinese planners were happy with the width of the current carriers.

Going Electromagnetic

The major step change over the current carriers however is in how aircraft will be launched. The new ship is CATOBAR (Catapult Assisted Take-Off But Arrested Recovery) while the first two are STOBAR (Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery). Like the Ford Class, the Type-003 is believed to use an Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) instead of a steam catapult. This should promise a faster launch rate. This is a cutting edge technology which has reportedly been less reliable so far on the Ford Class, although things are improving . Yet despite its challenges it is still seen as the way forward and we should not assume that the Chinese will have the same problems. For China it is pragmatic to go straight to EMALS and miss the steam catapult step.

The Type-003 has three catapults with two on the bow and one in a waist position. This is one fewer than the Ford Class which, like earlier American carriers with steam catapults, also has four.

Catapults, which are lacking on the current Chinese carriers, will allow new aircraft types to be carried. A new fixed-wing airborne early warning & control aircraft (AEW&C), the KJ-600, is expected to be aboard. This is, both in role and overall form, very similar to the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye. Other new aircraft are expected to include a carrier version of the FC-31 stealth fighter. A full-size mock-up of this has recently appeared at a test site in Wuhan. This will be generally equivalent of the Ford Classes’ F-35C Lightning-II. It has twin engines however, and possibly a larger internal weapons bay.

It is likely that this new plane will take some time to enter service so the Type-003 may start operations with a catapult capable version of the J-15 Flanker.

Finally here a clear image of the full carrier including its installed island. (Image via Tieba) and thanks a lot to @raz_liu pic.twitter.com/orewwGVuz3 — @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) June 30, 2021

Fewer Aircraft Elevators

The Ford Class has three aircraft elevators (lifts), one less than the preceding Nimitz Class. Despite this the combination of these and the ELAMS should provide a greater sortie rate than the Nimitz Class. The Chinese ship however has only two. These are both rectangular and on the starboard side of the flight deck. Possibly because of the larger island sits between them (unlike on the Ford Class where it is at the stern), the forward lift is very close to the catapults. The blast deflector is right next to it, not forward of it. This may limit its use while aircraft are taking off.

However, on paper the Chinese carrier should have a larger usable deck area thanks to fewer lifts. This may not be seen as a wise trade-off as it will take the Chinese longer to move aircraft up from the hangar. Actually the answer may lie in the Soviet legacy. The Type-003 appears to have inherited its twin lift arrangement directly from the Russian Admiral Kutzenov class.

The island of the Type-003 has only just been placed on the deck in the past few days. It appears shorter than the earlier Chinese carriers but retains their single-level control tower. Above it however will be large phased array radars. This is like the Ford Class.

To summarize, the Type-003 is slightly smaller in overall dimensions. It has fewer catapults and fewer aircraft elevators, which may reduce sortie rates. In general the American ship is a bold evolutionary leap based on decades of operational experience. The Chinese ship on the other hand is a much more conservative step forward from the less experienced carrier operator. There’s no denying that in overall terms the Type-003 is going to be a very large carrier which should be extremely potent. But it may be held back slightly by some design choices which are routed in Soviet thinking.

There are of course many details which we still cannot know about the Type-003. Or the Fords Class in some cases. But ultimately their combat effectiveness, if it ever comes to that, will partly be in the crew and doctrine. The PLAN lacks the vast experience of the U.S. Navy, but it is all the same rapidly gaining experience. it has been operating carriers for nearly 10 years and is clearly heavily invested in making them a success.

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Triton Trimaran

The Triton trimaran research ship was a technology demonstrator ship for the Royal Navy's future surface combatant (FSC)

Vosper Thornycroft

Gardline Marine Sciences

44 (14 civilian crew + 30 officers)

Gross Tonnage

Diesel electric propulsion

2 × Paxman 12VP185 2MW diesel engines

1 × five-bladed composite propeller

2 × 350kW electric side thrusters

The Triton trimaran research ship was a technology demonstrator ship for the Royal Navy’s future surface combatant (FSC) frigate requirement, due to enter service from 2013 and replace the Type 23 frigates. Triton is the world’s largest motor powered trimaran (triple-hulled) vessel, with a length of 90m and beam of 22m. QinetiQ (formerly DERA, the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency) funded the design and manufacture of the vessel, to be used to quantify the structural and seakeeping performance of the trimaran.

In August 1998, the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) awarded a contract to Vosper Thornycroft to construct the Trimaran, called RV (research vessel) Triton. The vessel was launched in May 2000 and delivered in August 2000. Triton then began a two-year risk reduction trials programme for the UK MoD and the US Department of Defense.

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Following completion of the trials programme, Triton has been used as a trials platform for other QinetiQ technologies including the composite propeller.

In January 2005, Triton was sold to Gardline Marine Sciences, a UK company based in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk. Triton was used for hydrographic survey work for the civil hydrography programme (CHP) on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). The vessel was fitted with a sensor suite which includes the Kongsberg Simrad EM1002 multibeam echo-sounder, a GPS attitude / heading system, surface navigation and ultra-short baseline sub-surface acoustic tracking system, Gardline Voyager5 integrated survey system and Caris post-processing system.

Triton was the launch vessel for the QinetiQ 1 programme to break the world altitude record for a manned balloon. The target altitude of 25 miles (132,000ft) would take the two pilots into the stratosphere.

The giant helium-filled balloon had a nine-acre area and was as high as the Empire State Building. An attempt on the record, in September 2003, was aborted after an 8m tear appeared in the helium balloon envelope during launch.

Triton has become a patrol vessel since it was chartered to the Australian Customs Service in December 2006. It has been deployed in northern waters of Australia to work along with other customs and Royal Australian Navy patrol boats.

The vessel has been modified to provide additional accommodation and also fitted with two 0.50-calibre machine guns to perform patrol operations. The vessel is also equipped with two 7.3m high-speed rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIBs). The boats are powered by Evinrude outboard motors and have the range of 200nm at 30kt speed. Following the modifications in the UK and Singapore shipyards, it was delivered to the customs in January 2007.

Trimaran hullform trials programme

The trials programme to determine the suitability of the trimaran hullform began in October 2000 and included operations in a variety of sea states and at differing speeds. Triton successfully completed replenishment at sea (RAS), structural loading and seakeeping trials, landing and take-off trials by a Royal Navy Lynx mk8 helicopter, towing operations and small boat launch and recovery. It also took part in trials with the US Coastguard. The trials were concluded in September 2002, successfully proving that the design could operate in exactly the same way as an equivalent mono-hull vessel.

Advantages of trimaran design

The advantages of a trimaran hullform over conventional mono-hulls are thought to be: reduced costs, reduced signature, significantly less drag increased speed, increased length, giving greater stability, and more room for the upper deck, which could be used for the flight deck as well as hangars for helicopters and extra armaments.

Applications

The Trimaran development has been driven by frigate type applications. Concept studies have been carried out for other roles including offshore patrol, concept studies for future vessel development – for example, the mini landing platform helicopter ship (mini LPH), fast roll-on / roll-off rapid deployment support ships, and air-capable stealth vessels.

Demonstrator vessel contruction

The demonstrator is built at two thirds the size of a full-scale warship and although not armed it is capable of carrying containerised Naval military systems at sea. The 90m length of the Trimaran demonstrator meets the structural constraints of the ship’s plating and longitudinal stiffening. The main hulls and bridge deck are of steel construction.

A comprehensive ballast system accommodates trials in various operating conditions. The structure will accept containerised trials equipment. The flight deck strength is to be rated to accommodate a Lynx helicopter and be capable of operating unmanned aerial vehicles.

Provision is made for future electric propulsion trials involving the installation of exchange permanent magnetic main motors, a battery/fuel cell compartment, and flight deck and engine room sites for at-sea tests of future gas turbine alternators. The demonstrator will accommodate integrated technology masts.

The engines exhaust between the hulls as a method of reducing the thermal signature of the ship. Low noise and radar signatures are achieved using commercially available materials and services.

Navigation and communications

The Triton navigation suite included Northrop Grumman Sperry Marine Bridgemaster E S-band and X-band flat screen radars with ARPA (Automatic Radar Plotting Aids), two Northrop Grumman (Litton) LMX400 GPS receivers, Furuno Loran-C receiver, Northrop Grumman electronic chart system and Skipper GDS 101 echo sounder.

Satellite communications systems include Northrop Grumman (Litton) INMARSAT SAT-C and INMARSAT SAT-M and Nera INMARSAT SAT-B.

Trials instrumentation system

The demonstrator had two laboratories. One laboratory housed the Trials Instrumentation System (TIS) which collected data including wind speed and direction, temperature, wave height and ship’s motion, with the other for general trials purposes. The TIS system can record over 400 channels of data at sampling rates of either 20Hz, 200Hz or 2,000Hz. All the data is time-stamped from a GPS sourced time synchronisation signal. TIS sensors include: Miros WAVEX wave height radar, TSK wave height radar, Trimble AGPS system, AGI windspeed and environmental monitoring system.

The propulsion system consists of two Paxman 12VP185 2MW diesel generators and two 350kW electric side thrusters with a single central screw. QinetiQ has replaced the fixed pitch propeller with a new composite propeller. The five-bladed composite propeller has a diameter of 2.9m. The use of the lighter composite allows for thicker blades which reduces vibration and consequently acoustic signature. Dowty Propellers manufactured the blades and Wärtsilä Propulsion the nickel aluminium bronze hub.

Accommodation

Accommodation for 14 civilian crew and up to 30 customs boarding party officers is provided in 48 berths. The other onboard features include a first aid centre, health screening and quarantine isolation area and secure holding areas.

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Navy's Trimaran Fighter Speeds Ahead

With the world's largest and most powerful fleet of aircraft carriers, destroyers and cruisers, the U.S. Navy absolutely dominates the deep water. But not so much in shallow waters -- the so-called "littoral zones." Close to land, a ship might face overwhelming numbers of shore-based guns and missiles, swarms of small attack boats, plus the occasional hull-destroying coral reef. It's far too dangerous for a $2-billion destroyer, to say nothing of a $10-billion carrier.

The Navy's solution is to build lots of smaller, cheaper ships. The heart of this effort is the 3,000-ton-displacement "Littoral Combat Ship." LCS adapts commercial yacht and ferry designs -- then adds weapons, sensors, and robots. When the ship was conceived in 2004, each copy was supposed to cost just $220 million -- and the Navy wanted to build the first 13 by 2009. But after years of design changes and botched contracts , only two LCSs have been finished, each at a cost of over $600 million.

It's been rough sailing for the Navy's inshore fighter. But there might be smoother waters ahead.

The second LCS, and the first built to General Dynamics triple-hull "trimaran" ferry design, has spent this month on builder's trials on the Gulf of Mexico. " I am hearing nothing but good news from every possible place” about LCS-2 Independence , Galrahn wrote. This in contrast to Lockheed Martin's LCS-1 Freedom , a modified yacht that proved a real gas guzzler on her own trials last year.

The U.S. Navy still plans on buying at least 55 of the fast, coast-hugging LCSs, despite the cost over-runs and technical glitches on the first batch of vessels. The Navy has learned from Freedom and Independence , and costs should come down, according to Adm. Gary Roughead, the sea service's top officer. " We've turned the corner ," Roughead said.

Navy support for the LCS is undiminished, according to one officer working on the Navy portions of the forthcoming Quadrennial Defense Review, the Pentagon's mega-strategy document. The officer, who requested anonymity, said the inshore ship is "the only way the Navy gets bigger." Navy planners still hope to expand the fleet from today's 280 combat vessels, to as many as 313.

The Navy's love for LCS does not extend to other small vessels that could help the sea service in the littorals, however. According to our source, the sea service is only grudgingly accepting the shallow-water catamaran transports that Secretary of Defense Robert Gates endorsed in his April speech announcing major shifts in weapons investment.

As for new versions of the coastal patrol boats and river craft that have proved so useful in Iraq? "I believe in the end we will see these vessels built as an outcome of QDR deliberations, but the Navy will state that they were forced upon them, and attempt to ignore them," the officer said. He added that the Navy might consign all future small ships to the "purgatory" that is the Navy's new Expeditionary Combat Command -- the same command that oversees Navy construction workers and port security guards.

[PHOTO: General Dynamics]

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The Navy Is Launching a New Littoral Combat Ship—the Last of Its Class

The USS Cleveland is heading out for duty.

The U.S. Navy’s latest Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) is heading to sea.

Lockheed Martin will launch the USS Cleveland (LCS 31) into Wisconsin’s Menominee River on Saturday, April 15. The ship is the 16th and last of a controversial class of vessels that have been plagued by technical snags and doubts over their ability to take part in combat.

Fast and Stealthy

The Cleveland is designed to be stealthy and sneak into areas where other ships can’t go. A littoral combat ship is a type of surface vessel that is designed for operations near shore. It can also perform various missions such as surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, and mine countermeasures.

There are two classes of LCS: the Freedom class and the Independence class, each with different hull designs and capabilities. The Cleveland is a Freedom -class variant that has a monohull design. The Independence -class littoral combat ship, made by General Dynamics, has a trimaran hull.

The LCS program began in 2002 to address the threats posed by shallow-water, coastal, and asymmetric warfare. The Navy originally planned to acquire 55 LCSs, but later reduced the number to 35 due to cost overruns and technical issues. The program has faced delays, mechanical failures, and questions over the platforms’ survivability in high-intensity combat.

One thing the Cleveland will bring to the table is adaptability. The LCS is designed to be modular and adaptable. The mission packages include surface warfare (SUW), anti-submarine warfare (ASW), mine countermeasures (MCM), and special operations forces support.

The LCS has a core crew of about 50 sailors, but can accommodate up to 98 personnel with mission package crews and aviation detachments. The LCS also has a flight deck and hangar to support two MH-60R/S Seahawk helicopters, one MH-60R/S, and one MQ-8 Fire Scout uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV).

The LCS has a top speed of over 40 knots and a range of 3,500 nautical miles at 14 knots. It has a shallow draft of 14.1 feet that allows it to operate in coastal regions that larger ships cannot access.

Packing a Punch

The LCS is armed with a 57-mm Mk 110 gun, a SeaRAM or Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) launcher for short-range air defense, and various machine guns and small arms. Depending on the mission package, it can also carry Hellfire missiles, Naval Strike Missiles, Longbow Hellfire missiles, or Harpoon anti-ship missiles.

The Cleveland and its crew will be assigned to Littoral Combat Ship Squadron 2 (LCSRON TWO), homeported in Mayport, Florida. From there, it will deploy around the globe.

Sascha Brodsky, a freelance journalist based in New York City and a graduate of the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and Columbia's School of International and Public Affairs, writes about many aspects of technology including personal technology, AI, and virtual reality. His work has appeared in The New York Times , The Atlantic , The Guardian , and many other publications. In his spare time, he enjoys cycling and hiking. 

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