Radar cross section (RCS) reduction features have been incorporated into the Formidable class design, with inclined hull sides and bulwarks as well as concealment of ship boats and replenishment-at-sea equipment behind low-RCS curtains. The Formidable class have a significantly reduced profile than the La Fayette class and its other derivatives, due to the smaller superstructure and the use of enclosed sensor mast technology. The frigate is also constructed entirely of steel, unlike the La Fayette class which makes extensive use of weight-saving composite structures in its aft superstructure block. The frigates also possess better sea keeping qualities and are able to stay at sea for longer periods of time.
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Formidable |
| Builders: | DCNS, ST Engineering (Marine) |
| Operators: |  Republic of Singapore Navy |
| Completed: | 6 |
| Active: | 6 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Frigate |
| Displacement: | 3,200 tonnes (3,150 long tons; 3,530 short tons) |
| Length: | 114.8 m (376 ft 8 in) |
| Beam: | 16.3 m (53 ft 6 in) |
| Draught: | 6.0 m (19 ft 8 in) |
| Installed power: | 4× ISM V1708 diesel generators, each producing 800 kilowatts (1,070 shp) Total output: 3,200 kW (4,290 shp) |
| Propulsion: | 4× MTU 20V 8000 M90, each rated at 9,100 kW (12,200 shp) (CODAD) Total output: 36,400 kW (48,800 shp) |
| Speed: | Maximum: 27 knots (50.0 km/h; 31.1 mph) Cruising: 18 kn (33.3 km/h; 20.7 mph) |
| Range: | 4,200 nautical miles (7,780 km) |
| Complement: | 71, excluding air crew detachment of approx. 19 |
| Sensors and processing systems: | Search radar: Thales Herakles multi-function radar Navigation radar: Terma Electronic Scanter 2001 Sonar: EDO Model 980 active low frequency towed sonar (ALOFTS) |
| Electronic warfare and decoys: | ESM: RAFAEL C-PEARL-M Decoys: Sagem Défense Sécurité New Generation Dagaie System, 2× forward & 1× aft. |
| Armament: | Anti-ship: 8× RGM-84C Harpoon SSM Anti-air: MBDA Aster 15/30 launched from DCNS Sylver A50 32-cell VLS Anti-submarine: EuroTorp A244/S Mod 3 torpedoes launched from 2× B515 triple tubes with reloads Guns: Oto Melara 76mm Super Rapid gun (mounted in stealth cupola), 4× CIS 50MG 12.7 mm (0.50 in) HMG |
| Aircraft carried: | 1× S-70B Seahawk multi-mission capable naval helicopter |
| Aviation facilities: | Flight deck and enclosed hangar for up to two medium-lift helicopters |
The frigates are equipped with the Thales Herakles phased-array multi-function radar, which provides three-dimensional surveillance for up to 250 km (155.3 mi). The radar provides all-round automatic search and tracking of both air and surface targets, and is integrated with the MBDA Aster air defence system. Utilising the DCNS Sylver vertical launch system (VLS), each frigate is equipped with 32 cells. It is reported that the frigates have a special surface-to-air missile configuration, combining the Thales Herakles radar with the Sylver A50 launcher and a mix of Aster 15 and 30 missiles.
The frigates are equipped with Boeing Harpoon missiles and Oto Melara 76 mm guns for surface defence. The Harpoon missile has a range of 117 km (63 nmi) and uses active radar guidance. It is armed with a 227 kg (500 lb) warhead. The gun fires 6 kg (13 lb) shells to a maximum range of 30 km (33,000 yd) at a firing rate of up to 120 rounds per minute.
The frigates are also equipped with the EDO Corporation active low frequency towed sonar to enable long range submarine detection and classification, as well as EuroTorp A244/S Mod 3 lightweight torpedoes fired from two B515 triple-tube launchers hidden behind the bulwark.
The frigates are equipped with Sikorsky S-70B naval helicopters, an international derivative of the United States Navy Sikorsky SH-60B Seahawk. The Ministry of Defence signed a contract with Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation in January 2005 to acquire six of these helicopters, which will be organic to the frigates. Each of these naval helicopters are equipped with a Telephonics AN/APS-143 Ocean Eye X-band maritime surveillance and tracking radar, a L-3 Communications Helicopter Long Range Active Sonar (HELRAS) dipping sonar, EuroTorp A244/S Mod 3 torpedoes and a Raytheon AAS-44 electro-optic system to provide infrared detection and tracking. The naval helicopters will be raised as a squadron in the Republic of Singapore Air Force and piloted by air force pilots, but the system operators will be from the Navy.
Network-centric warfare
The Formidable class frigates are key nodes within the Singapore Armed Forces' Integrated Knowledge-based Command and Control network, a concept similar to the United States Department of Defense's network-centric warfare doctrine. The locally-developed Combat Management System integrates all the sensors and weapon systems onboard, and a dual Fast Ethernet data transfer system forms the backbone of this system.
Each frigate has a span of influence that stretches up to about 200 nmi (370 km), where it acts as the Navy's mobile operations centre out at sea and receives information from sister ships and aerial assets deployed within the range. The Combat Management System will then make sense of the different data, establish an accurate picture of the area of operations, and send the information back to shore and to its army and air force counterparts. This increases battlespace awareness and allows little time for the enemy to react due to the short sensor-to-shooter loops.
