Statistics:

Length: 46.9 m
Beam: 13.5 m
High: 15 m (On cushion)
Draft: .7 m (On cushon)
Draft: 1.9 m (Off cushion)
Speed: In excess of 55 knots
Displacement: 260 tons
Main engines:
2 gas turbines Rolls Royce Allison 571 KF 6000 kW (2 x 8160 Hp)
Auxillary systems:
2 Auxillary engines: MTU 6R 183 TE52 275 kW
2 Lift fan engines: MTU 12V TE92 735 kW
2 Manoeuvering engines: MTU 6R TE 92 370 kW
Generator:
440V 60Hz 3 phase 4 polar 228 kW
Propulsion:
2 x 80 cm KaMeWa water jets
Main gun:
76mm Oto Melara Super Rapid

More information about the Skjold Class
The Skjold class of missile fast patrol boats is characterised by its speed, reduced signatures, small size with heavy weapon load and its littoral combat capability. The Skjold ("Shield") has an air-cushioned catamaran hull (surface effect) which, with waterjet propulsion, provides high speed and manoeuvrability.

Covert Operational Capability
An important capability of the Skjold is its covert operational capability in littoral warfare, particularly in using Norway's coastal topography with its islands and fjords, to carry out surveillance and engage hostile forces from a close distance while remaining undetected. The shallow draft of 0.9m to 2.3m allows the ship to access very shallow waters denied to other vessels.

Air Cushion Catamaran (ACC) Design
The ship's configuration uses an Air Cushion Catamaran (ACC) design, which is an advanced variant of Surface Effect Ship (SES) technology. The ACC is based on a catamaran hull with an air cushion between the hulls and has been successfully proven with the Norwegian Oksoy class minehunters and minesweepers which entered service in 1994. The low area of wetted surface of the hulls gives an improved level of shock resistance and significantly reduced wave resistance compared to that of a conventional displaced or semi-displaced hull configuration.

The elevated position of the magnetic components reduces the magnetic signature. The combination of the twin hull and water jet propulsion provides very high and very responsive manoeuvrability. Vital systems have been duplicated for enhanced survivability and the ship remains operational with one engine room set lost.

The low draft of 0.9m on cushion gives an advantage of access to shallow coastal waters and lower vulnerability to impact against surface or tethered mines or other debris.

The hull is of composite construction. The hulls are laminated inside and outside with fibre reinforced plastic composed of glass fibre and carbon laminates bound with vinyl ester and polyester resin. A scrimp manufacturing process is used in construction, involving vacuum assisted resin injection. Carbon fibre and carbon loaded materials have been selected for the beams, mast and supporting structures, which need high tensile strength, for example the support structures for the gun and the electro-optical and radar weapon director.

Radar Absorbent Doors, Hatches, and Windows
Radar absorbent materials have been used in the load bearing structures over large areas of the ship. This strategy leads to significant weight saving compared to conventional construction techniques of applying RAM cladding to the external surfaces. The ship's profile has a faceted appearance with no right angle structures and few orientations of reflective panels. Doors and hatches are flush with the surfaces and the windows are flush without visible coaming (edge of window aperture) and are fitted with radar reflective screens.

Senit 2000 Combat Management System
DCN International (now Armaris) and Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace have jointly developed the lightweight Senit 2000 Combat Management System. The system has been selected for the modernisation of the Royal Norwegian Navy's Hauk class fast patrol boats and for the first of class Skjold with the option of supplying a further six ships of the class.

The Senit 2000 combat management system uses operating modes for littoral warfare and is interoperable with tactical datalinks 11 and 14. Senit 2000 gives fast response to pop-up air threats such as helicopters or other aircraft that suddenly emerge from cover.

Kongsberg NSM Anti-Ship Missiles
The ship is armed with eight Kongsberg NSM (Nye Sjoemaals Missiler or Norwegian Strike Missile) anti-ship missiles, which have been developed for the Skjold class ships and for the Fritjof Nansen Frigates. The NSM missile is equipped with an imaging infrared seeker and has a range in excess of 150km.

The ship's short-range surface-to-air missile is the infrared-guided MBDA Mistral in a portable configuration. A twin launcher will be deployed on the deck or on a land site. The missile is armed with a 3kg warhead and has a target range of 4km.

The ship's gun, for deployment against aircraft and other vessels, is the Oto Melara 76mm Super Rapid. The gun has a burst-firing rate of 120rpm, firing 6kg shells to a range of 16km.

Gas Turbine Propulsion Engines
The main propulsion is by waterjet, which gives a very shallow draught and extraordinary maneuvering capabilities. The waterjets are normally driven by gas turbines but may also be driven by small diesel engines in order to reduce infrared signature. The waterjet nozzles can be moved independently to manoeuvre the Skjold sideways without side propellers or bow propellers. The Skjold retains its ability to turn through very sharp angles even at high speed.

The prototype has two Rolls Royce Allison 571KF gas turbine engines, each rated at 6,000kW (8,160hp), driving two Kamewa water jets. These provide a maximum speed of more than 100km/h (55 knots). The new series of Skjold class ships is being fitted with four gas turbines from Pratt & Whitney, two ST18 rated at 2kW x 4,000kW and two ST 40 rated at 2kW x 2,000kW, driving the two Kamewa water jets. There are two auxiliary engines, MTU 6R 183 TE52 rated at 275kW and two manoeuvring engines MTU 6R TE92 rated at 3,700kW.

Two MTU 12V TE92 lift fan engines, rated at 735kW, drive the air into the air cushion between the hulls. A computer controlled ride control system controls the air cushion at a 0.5m water column pressure.

Price: 39.3 million

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