Surface Vessel Division

Kockums

The VISBY Class Corvette

Defining Stealth at Sea

tk
Kockums AB Kockums AB ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems
SE-205 55 Malmö, Sweden SE-371 82 Karlskrona, Sweden Surface Vessel Division
Phone: +46 40 34 80 00 Phone: +46 455 68 30 00 P.O. Box 10 07 20 · 20005 Hamburg · Germany
Telefax: +46 40 97 32 81 Telefax: +46 455 179 34 Phone: +49 40 3119 2275 · Telefax: +49 40 3119 3334
A company of
ThyssenKrupp
Technologies
ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems
e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] email: [email protected]
www.kockums.se www.kockums.se www.thyssenkrupp-marinesystems.com
Stealth:

The act or characteristic of moving

with extreme care and quietness,
esp. so as to avoid detection.*
*The Collins Concise Dictionary of the English Language
STEALTH TECHNOLOGY
The Visby corvette’s deceptive
paint scheme.

Stealth technology (more formally called Low Observable Technology) aims at mini-
mizing a vessel’s transmitted and reflected energies – heat, light, sound, electric
potential, and electromagnetic radiation – to deny an opponent the opportunity to
locate, identify, track, and attack it. Stealth technology makes full use of aggressive
architecture, controlled reflection and absorption, colour variation, machinery isola-
tion, ordnance concealment, shielding, and electronic countermeasures (jamming or
false imaging) to mask a vessel’s very existence.

We tend to think of stealth as a relatively new idea – developed for modern aircraft
such as the B-2 bomber introduced in 1988. In truth, stealth is an instinctive human
practice that appeared early in history. Millennia ago, “hunter-gatherers” wore facial
and body paint, feathers, tree branches, animal skins, or anything else to help them
fade into the background and not alarm foe or animals they sought.

DISGUISE STEALTH COMES IN

SEVERAL LEVELS

Disguise has always been an essen- Stealth comes in several levels. At the
tial aspect of warfare. Soldiers don first level, low signatures (the recognizable
camouflage suits; aircraft are painted in signals a vessel emits and reflects) impro-
irregular patterns and colours to blend ve the performance of on-board sensors
into the land when seen from above, – with no local interference caused by
and the sky from below; warships are shipboard components sensors are better
camouflaged in patterns that blur their able to “read” the local situation.
outlines against sea and sky.
At the next level, low signatures are more
In today’s warfare there is essentially easily concealed by active or passive
no place to hide. The ancient human countermeasures – jammers, chaff, or
senses have been made largely obso- flares.
lete by an astonishing array of passive
and active detection devices: radars, Finally, if signatures are reduced suffi-
optics and cameras, infra-red (heat) ciently to approach the environmental
sensors, sound-detecting systems and background, a vessel is not easily detec-
sonars, electromagnetic radiation and ted – as when its radar signature is redu-
pressure detectors, and other remote ced into the “sea clutter” and it produces
sensors beneath, on, or high above the no distinct “blip.” (Though stealth is quite
land and sea. effective, it can’t eliminate that blip entire-
ly: The radar image of an F-117A, which
Modern tanks, armoured vehicles, and is 19.4 meters long and weighs 23 625
an increasing number of warships have kilograms, is said to equal that of a 1.5-
faceted, angular forms rather than centimetre, 6-gram bumble bee!)
rounded ones, to reduce their radar
signatures. Angular, faceted, stealth
aircraft such as the American F-117A
have proven their ability to evade
modern electronic “eyes and ears”.

On Visby, great lengths have been taken to control the Radar Cross Section (RCS) signatures of
all exterior items: Angled hull surfaces and special reduced reflecting coating systems, concealed
weaponry and deck gear housings, non-reflecting window glass etc.

3 4
THE VISBY

The Visby corvette is flexible and multi- affordable choice must be “Invisibility,”
mission capable and can be assigned a to which stealth is the obvious path.
broad spectrum of missions, including:
● Surface Combat The Visby corvette will be assigned a
● Anti Submarine Warfare (ASW) broad spectrum of missions related to
● Mine CounterMeasures (MCM) mines, submarines, surface combat,
● Mine laying surveillance, escort, civilian support,
● Air Defence search and rescue, undersea and air
● Surveillance and Patrol Service defense. It will likely join in cooperative
● Escort Duty international operations. The Visby is
● Search and Rescue (SAR) considered to be the first vessel with
● Civilian Support high operational versatility and fully
● International Operations developed stealth technology, and is
deemed the multi-purpose surface
Visby was conceived while the Cold combatant of the future.
War was still “hot,” and Sweden was
engaged in mine countermeasures Visby’s stealth characteristics came
and antisubmarine operations close about through meticulous planning
to home. Its mission was defensive: to and analysis. Visby’s visual details are
ward off potential interference to the minimal – no stacks, exposed weapons,
East, and to keep Baltic waters safe for or the usual clutter of deck gear and
commercial shipping – to strengthen anchors. Everything possible has been
Sweden’s hand in its own shoal-water, hidden: equipment, weapons, and acti-
island-filled environment, by enhan- ve sensors (also designed for minimal
cing what has traditionally been called signature) are built into the structure or
Sweden’s “littoral know-how”. concealed under hatches. Antennas are
flush-mounted, behind frequency-selec-
EXTREME LITTORALS tive surfaces. Radar-absorbing material
is used wherever low-signal properties
That know-how dovetailed perfectly are difficult to achieve. Signatures of
with the broad international shift away windows, openings, and hatches are
from open-sea naval operations, reduced.
toward actions in more contained and
difficult environments. In littoral waters, Visby’s hard-edge hull and super-
piloting and navigation difficulties, and structure limit radar reflection to four
the opponent’s proximity, increase a main directions and a single angle of
combatant’s risks, so these waters elevation, by critical arrangement of
have since gained the urgent-sounding their flat surfaces.
name “Extreme Littoral” – defined as
a high-threat environment that places To give Visby a low infrared signature,
additional demands on a vessel’s effi- with neither hot nor cold spots that
ciency, performance, and survivability. stand out against a temperature-neu-
tral background, the exhaust of her
INVISIBILITY engines and generators is triple-cooled
and exits aft, near the water’s surface.
A warship’s survivability can be built Belowdecks ventilation emissions are
on one of two premises: “Invincibility” concealed. The Visby’s hull material is
or “Invisibility.” For nations with deep thermo-insulating and exterior paint is
pockets and imposing military budgets selected for optimum heat insulation as
“Invincibility” is the chosen high-ticket well as camouflage.
objective. For countries with more
limited materiel resources, the more
The Visby class corvettes are designed for operations in the littorals.
Here building number two, HELSINGBORG, on mission in very tight waters.

5 6
LOW SIGNATURES

The low acoustic signature is which requires medium to high

achieved first by waterjets, which speed. But, for various reasons,
generate much less propulsion the mission shifted more toward
noise than propellers. Propulsion mine and antisubmarine warfare,
diesels and gensets are double- which requires more emphasis
elastically mounted to minimize on low and medium speed (for
transmission of noise and vibra- which the SES hullform is not so
tion into the hull, and are covered versatile).
by sound-absorbing hoods. All
other noise-generating equip- Visby’s hullform is therefore a
ment such as pumps and fans variation on a well-proven pla-
are mounted to damp out their ning monohull, optimized for
natural vibration. seaworthiness, stability, course-
keeping, and manoeuvrability.
Air intakes and exhausts are It is specifically designed for
designed for minimal flow noise. waterjet propulsion, with fixed
Fluid-filled pipes are insulated. fins for directional stability.

The hull material is non-mag- The underbody has a fine “V”

netic, and standard equipment entry for slicing through waves,
components, where feasible, are a variable-deadrise bottom
selected for their non-magnetic geometry, squared bilges, and a
characteristics. An on-board de- deep spray chine forward. This
gausser takes care of exceptions. form was chosen over the typical
round-bilge patrol-boat form
Visby’s basic hull architecture because it meets the unequivocal
evolved considerably during the demand for radar-stealth geome-
research. It was originally inten- try. And, in combination with its
ded to be an Surface-Effect-Ship waterjet propulsion, produces a
(SES), as its prime mission was reasonably low pressure signa-
for attack as well as defence, ture and minimal wake and spray.

Example of signature analysis on VISBY type designs. A: IR analysis. B: RCS

hot-spot analysis. C: Wave pattern using Fluent (CFD). D: Radiated noise.

The vapour plume from diesel / gas turbine water cooled exhaust gases feigns
the vessel’s true location to infrared sensors on incoming threats.

7 8
 Good conductivity
Good surface flatness } Low radar signature
Good heat insulation Low infrared signature
Non-Magnetic Low magnetic signature
Low specific weight Fast, good manoeuvrability

Laminate
CARBON + CODOG
Core
Carbon fibre’s
excellent properties
Laminate
LIGHT + STRONG STRONG

CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY

Visby’s construction consists of The machinery to drive the Visby

100-percent carbon fibre skins is a combined diesel or gas tur-
over a foam core (manufactured bine (CODOG) system, provided
in a vacuum-assisted infusion by Vericor Power Systems. Four
system). This has excellent fire- Honeywell aeroderivative TF 50 A
containment properties. gas turbines (totalling 16 000 kW
shaft output) and two MTU 16V
With application of approved non- 2000 N90 diesels (totalling 2 600
blistering paint, and insulation as kW) are alternately connected to
required by the International Code twin Cincinnati MA-107 SBS gear-
of Safety for High-Speed Craft, the boxes driving the pumps of two
material conforms to International 125 SII KaMeWa waterjets.
Maritime Organization require-
ments for limiting toxicity in case The diesels sustain Visby at 15
of fire. knots for long duration, while the
turbines kick in when she has to
For stealth, Carbon fibre inherently do 35 knots or better.
shields against a wide range of
electromagnetic signals. At speed, steering is done by the
azimuthing waterjet buckets; in
In areas of high stress concentra- close-quarter manoeuvring the
tion, such as the gearbox moun- jets are assisted by a 125-kW HRP
tings, titanium reinforcing inserts 200-65 Holland Roer Propeller
are laminated into the composite. bow thruster.

Gas turbines (top, left) and the encapsulated diesels (top, right),
deliver power to the water jets as required (below)

High-tech in Carbon fibre: Water jet intakes and ducts are bonded to the hull, as all longitudinals
and bulkheads, and form a homogeneous structure of enormous rigidity.

9 10
EQUIPMENT
MINE COUNTERMEASURES water vehicle (ROV-S) is guided with mine rails, mine-launching extremely accurate plot. At slow crew work-load, improving safety. astern to avoid turbulence or its position and aims selected variable-depth, and hull-mounted
The Visby is equipped with myriad well ahead, at appropriate depth, gear, and computer capability to speed, the automated diesel pro- interference from the ship, and weapons at it. A hull-mounted sonars, and data from the ROVs.
machines and systems ready to where high-resolution sonar and set minefields and register mine pulsion, guided by more precise ANTI-SUBMARINE WARFARE can also detect surface vessels sonar helps classify submarines An Underwater Environmental
fulfill her missions, one of which television cameras identify and locations.) Differential GPS, closely follows a (ASW) running beyond the range of or detect mines. If the target Monitoring system supports the
is mine countermeasures. For locate mines long before the preset track or – by dynamic posi- The main submarine detec- Visby’s radar. For anti-submarine is lying on the seabed, the Hydra in mission planning.
this, Visby has active and passive vessel reaches them. The mines The navigation system takes tioning with waterjets and thruster tion sensor is a Hydroscience work, Visby also uses a towed ROV-S can also identify it. A
sensors that detect, classify, and are then destroyed by an expen- input data from the log, gyro, – holds the vessel stationary for Technologies passive Towed Array dual-frequency Variable-Depth Hydra multi-sonar suite from Visby corvettes are equipped with
home-in on mines. A remote-con- dable Atlas Elektronik Seafox and Global Positioning System mine work. The automation mini- Sonar (TAS) with hydrophones. Sonar (VDS). Once the TAS General Dynamics Canada inte- several anti-submarine weapon
trolled Double-Eagle Mk III under- ROV-E. (Visby is also equipped (GPS) satellites, and computes an mizes human error and reduces It is towed up to 1 000 meters detects a submarine, VDS fixes grates data from the towed-array, systems, beginning with four fixed

Surveillance radar in frequency-selective radome

Meteorological sensors

Retractable navigation radar

ESM/Radar warner in radome

Flush-mounted communication antennas

Director
EMC chaff launchers
57 mm automatic gun

Towed Array Sonar

(TAS) Space for Helicopter
ASW helicopter hangar bunker station
torpedoes
Variable Depth Sonar
(VDS)

ASW-grenade
launchers

Concealed Accommodations
exhaust 43 crew
outlets Bow
Combat Information
thruster
Centre (CIC)

Dismountable Hull mounted

helicopter landing Sonar (HMS)
Boat/RIB
deck gear
Remotely Operated
Vehicles (ROVs)
Reduction
for minehunting
gears
Low-Speed Engines and mine destruction
Surface-to-surface
(two diesels rated missiles (SSM)
Waterjet High-Speed
Engines (four gas at 1 300 kW each)
propulsion buckets with double flexible
Three turbines rated at
(KaMeWa 125) mountings, encapsulated
generators 4 000 kW each)
rated at 270 kW noise absorbing
each housings

11 12
 SELF-DEFENCE ON THE
VISBY
Visbys’ boats, RIBs, ROVs etc. are stored behind flush fitting hanger doors,
and launched from telescopic gantry cranes

40-cm tubes for firing Type 45 surroundings, and to decide what

wire-guided torpedoes with acti- signatures to show. (Some radars
ve/passive homing devices. There and infrared tracking systems
is a supply of depth charges as can “see” a stealth vessel to a
well as a suite of ASW 127-mm limited extent, so it is imperative
rocket launchers (which also that Visby’s command always be
can dispense torpedo counter- aware of their own signature, to
measures, or launch confusion control the tactics of a situation.)
materials such as chaff or infrared
decoy rounds). RADAR SYSTEMS
Not everything can be made
AIR DEFENCE passive and invisible. Visby
The Air Defence System – incor- has active radars – an Ericsson
porated into the Cetris C3 system Microwave Systems Sea Giraffe
automatically controls hard-kill AMB C 3-D surveillance radar, a
or soft-kill engagements, coor- Therma navigation radar, and a
dinating sensors, weapons, and Saab fire-control radar, to assist
manoeuvres. Its active element weapons in destroying incoming
is a Bofors 57-mm 70 SAK Mark missiles.
III general-purpose gun with fire
control, automated to reduce RADIO COMMUNICATIONS
reaction time, for example, in Radio communications and other
an attack by sea-skimming mis- essential emissions are, wherever
siles. The gun cupola forms an possible, transmitted in selected
integral part of Visby’s stealth sectors, highly directionalised,
superstructure, until the moment and even bounced off the iono-
it engages a target, when the gun sphere to limit detection to a
fires programmable ammunition very small field and to confuse
in complex patterns, selecting the opposing surveillance systems by
ammunition mode at the moment denying them sources to home
of firing. in on.

ELECTRONIC SUPPORT MISSILES

MEASURES The Visbys will not initially be
Visby is equipped with an Elec- fitted with an air-defence missile
tronic Support Measure (ESM) system. But space has been
sensor system, the Condor allocated for Surface-to-Air
Systems CS-3701, that permits Missiles (SAM). Up to eight Saab
surveillance across the radar RBS 15 Mk II (later Mk III) anti-
spectrum. A Communication ESM ship missiles can be installed
(CESM) to cover radio signals instead of, or combined with,
and an Infra-Red Search and mine-countermeasure equipment.
Track (IRST) enhance surveillance In order to assure stealth, SAM
capability. To maximize stealth or SSM systems will function in a
by operating in electromagnetic “fire and forget” mode – without
“silence”, all three systems are continual radar guidance that pro-
passive – they emit no signals. ject a detectable signature toward
This enables a vessel’s com- the threat.
mander to capture a picture of the

HELSINGBORG and VISBY at flank speed of 35+ knots. In order to render themselves detectable for Radar in friendly waters,
both vessels have reflectors set astern of the bridges. The railings and life rings, detrimental to the RCS, are only rigged on
non-hostile missions when maximum stealth is not of importance.

13 14
FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTION

COMMAND, CONTROL, An opponent can only “see” a

COMMUNICATIONS Visby close up, which is too late,
Visby is equipped with the Saab as her command and crew have
Cetris for Command, Control, and already had time to exercise their
Communications. This directs options. Visby’s motto might be:
the combat management, air “We see them before they see
defence, and navigation func- us.”
tions, enabling Visby to assume
tactical command of a vessel Visby’s 43 officers and conscripts
group. Command and Control live in quarters that are minimalist
and weapons systems feature with absolutely no compromises
surveillance radar, electronic sup- to deter her and her crew from its
port system with radar warning missions.
device, fire-control direction, and
navigation. It is also fitted with HELICOPTER
Infra-Red scanning, missile cont- Although corvettes don’t usually
rol and, later, radar-jamming. carry one, the Visby is designed
to accommodate a helicopter
The Command Support is also – the Agusta Bell A109 (HKP-15
integrated into the Swedish to Swedish Armed Forces). The
Armed Forces’ common com- helicopter lands, takes off, and
mand system, thus is capable refuels on the upper deck, and
of full exchange of information stows in a belowdecks hangar
among the Swedish Air Force (where the alternate medium-
airborne FSR 890 surveillance range, vertical-launch air-defence
radar and the multi-role JAS 39 missiles would be).
Gripen aircraft.
The helicopter can be used for
It should be obvious that the sensor deployment, transport,
Visby corvette is a classic examp- mine detection and destruction,
le of Louis Sullivan’s famous, and search and rescue, medical
oft-repeated, 1896 injunction: evacuation, radar reconnais-
“Form ever follows function.” sance, anti-submarine action,
That is, there is no device aboard and environmental inspection,
Visby that has no function, and and it can map the seabed with
its form is conceived solely to deep-penetration lasers. The
execute that function. Although chopper could also be fitted with
the corvette’s form is not totally missiles and targeting equipment
invisible, it is very difficult to for laser-guided weapons.
detect.

At 35+ knot speeds, a Visby is quickly re-positioned. In addition to her

inherent stealth properties, sheer speed makes it very difficult to track
and detect a Visby operating in the littorals (top).

Minimalistic design below deck: Wardroom and cabin (far left).

The bridge’s high vantage point is ideally located for visual sea
surveillance (left).

The CIC: state-of-the-art (right).

15 16
VISBY MAIN TECHNICAL DATA TOMMOROW’S VISBY THE VISBY FAMILY
MAIN PARTICULARS MISSION EQUIPMENT, EFFECTORS AND SENSORS HMS VISBY experienced her first trials at sea on
Length over all: 72.7 m 1 Saab Double-Eagle Mk III with Sonar (ROV-S) 6 December 2001 and entered navy service in 2005,
Length between perpendiculars: 61.5 m 1 Atlas Elektronik Seafox Mine Disposal Vehicle (ROV-E) with the last of her sisters set to be on duty by 2007.
Beam: max. 10.4 m 1 Hydroscience Technologies Towed Array Sonar (TAS) The Visby was designed for the Swedish littoral. VISBY LIGHT
Draught: approx. 2.4 m 1 GDC Variable Depth Sonar (VDS) But, despite Sweden’s continued abstention from 56 m, 550 t, 25 kn
Displacement, fully equipped: approx. 640 tons 1 GDC Hull Mounted Sonar (HMS) the “ocean option”, its navy is likely to be called
Speed at full displacement: 35+ knots 1 Bofors 57-mm Mk 3 General Purpose Gun on to join others in military or security operations
with Saab CEROS 200 Fire Control Radar System in waters farther from its traditional dominion. This
8 Saab RBS15 Surface-to-Surface Missiles (SSM) has given impetus to the Visby of tomorrow, or the
HULL Carbon fibre sandwich HMS VISBY (RSwN) VISBY EXPORT
4 Saab 40-cm ASW Torpedoes “Visby Plus.”
72.7 m, 640 t, 35+ kn 68 m, 650 t, 35 kn
CREW 43 ASW rockets
Decoy Dispensers At Kockums development is going ahead on larger
Mine Rails versions of Visby, designed in accordance with
CODOG PROPULSION CHAIN: Det Norske Veritas Naval Rules, with a variety of
2 KaMeWa waterjets, twin gearboxes Saab 9LV Cetris Command, Control and Communication System equipment options aimed at the international mar-
4 Honeywell gas turbines, 4 000 kW each 16 000 kW Ericsson Sea Giraffe AMB 3-D Surveillance Radar ket. The Visby Plus has been programmed to reduce VISBY +
2 MTU diesel engines, 1 300 kW each 2 600 kW Condor CS-3701 ESM System production costs, even as it will have full stealth 88 m, 1 550 t, 33 kn
technology. Its design takes a modular approach to
simplify customization, including weight and volume
reserved for future modifications.

The initial Visby Plus carbon-fibre cored composite VISBY ++

model is 88 meters LOA, with 1 500 tonnes displace- 104 m, 2 200 t, 33-45 kn
ment. Its prime functions will be anti-submarine war-
fare, surface attack, air defence, training, and patrol.
According to preliminary calculations, when compa-
red to a conventional propeller-driven steel vessel,
with an aluminium superstructure, funnel exhausts,
and non-stealth weapons and sensors, the new
design will have the following considerable gains:

● A lower profile for a reduced visual signature

● A lighter, more shock-resistant structure
● A lower displacement and draft, requiring
less engine power
● Reduced fuel consumption, hull maintenance,
VISBY EXPORT STEALTH CORVETTE
and operating costs
Length 68,3 m · Beam 12,3 m · Draught 2,4 m · Diplacement (full) 650 t
● Lower hydroacoustic, magnetic, infrared,
Speed at full displ. 35+ kn · Range at 15 kn: 2 500 nm · Endurance approx. 21 days
and radar signatures.

The new corvette will have berths for 71 crew, a

helipad and hangar, two universal cranes and two
ship’s boats. The propulsion will be four diesel
engines of about 7 400 kW driving four waterjets.
The engine room will be set aft, to leave appreciable
volume amidships for operations. An integrated
system will control, monitor, and provide support for
navigation, propulsion, electrical power, peripheral
systems, ship safety, fire protection, and damage
control. Weapons and command-and-control sys-
tems will be NATO-compatible. VISBY+ STEALTH CORVETTE
Length 88,0 m · Beam 15,0 m · Draught 3,2 m · Diplacement (full) 1 500 t
Credits: The writing for this brochure has been taken from the Speed at full displ. 33 kn · Range at 14 kn: 3 000 nm · Endurance approx. 21 days
book ON THE CREST OF A WAVE, produced by Jack A. Somer
and Peter Neumann. Interior photographs by Peter Nilsson,
exteriors by Peter Neumann.

17 18