The American conceptual approach to the formation, together with the European allies in the NATO bloc and partners in the Asia-Pacific region, of a "fleet of a thousand warships" implies, in particular, the creation of coalition groups of diverse forces in the naval (oceanic) theaters of operations. This approach is largely due to the coordination of reform plans in the leading Western countries of the structure of the national naval forces, the content, focus and implementation of shipbuilding programs, as well as the organization of preparation and conduct of combat operations at sea.
So, in particular, the priority directions for the development of the navies of Germany, Italy, Great Britain, France, Spain and a number of other states of the Alliance are the creation of large ships of the main combat types (multipurpose aircraft carriers, destroyers, universal amphibious ships, corvettes and URO frigates). These ships are capable of performing combat missions for a long time at a great distance from their permanent bases. In this vein, the fight against the enemy's naval grouping in the waters adjacent to the coast of the above states is considered unlikely. In this regard, the protection of territorial waters and the protection of national interests in economic maritime zones are entrusted mainly to patrol ships (boats) of the Coast Guard.
In general, this was, perhaps, one of the main reasons for the curtailment of the construction of new missile boats (RCA) in these countries and the withdrawal of the existing RCA from the combat composition of the Navy. As a class, RCA data are preserved in the structure of the fleets of only some European countries that have a specific military-geographical position (the presence of small areas for navigation, access to a closed maritime theater of operations, island, straits, skerry zones, etc.), as well as territorial problems with neighboring states.
In this regard, one of the main directions in the development of the class of missile boats is the improvement of their tactical characteristics to increase the efficiency of solving emerging combat missions in the near sea and coastal zones. New anti-ship missiles (ASMs) with increased firing range, equipped with inertial control systems with correction according to the space radio navigation system (KRNS) data, telecontrol line equipment and anti-jamming homing systems, which ensure defeat as surface targets not only near the coastline, but also in the closed waters of ports and bays, and onshore facilities.
In addition, the current missile boats are equipped with effective means of self-defense, including rapid-fire artillery installations (AU, caliber 20-30 mm), short-range anti-aircraft missile systems, as well as universal artillery (AU caliber 57 mm and above). A widespread practice, in particular, is the use of 76-mm gun mounts "Kompatto" and "Super Rapid" (maximum effective firing range 16 km) of the Italian company OTO Melara on RCA.
The radio equipment of modern boats includes automated combat control, communication and reconnaissance systems (ASBU), coupled with radar and optoelectronic systems for lighting the surface and air situation, active and passive electronic warfare systems, systems for mutual information exchange, which, among other things, provide target designation data. from external sources.
It should be noted that, according to existing views, missile boats should provide an effective solution to problems at a relatively small distance from the basing points, which is covered by the firing range of anti-ship missiles. In peacetime, the main purpose of the RCA is to perform the functions of patrol boats. In this regard, the priority requirements for their main power plant (GEM) are: efficiency, reliability, sufficiently high specific power (maximum speed of 30-40 knots and more), as well as the ability to maintain a low speed mode for a long time (6- 7 knots). In most cases, this led to the choice by the developers of a diesel power plant.
During the construction of the spacecraft, advanced technologies for reducing the signature in various wavelength ranges are widely used. To reduce radar visibility, the superstructure skin is made of radio-absorbing materials, an X-shaped profile is given to the outer contours, and the multi-element structure in the superstructure architecture is minimized. In order to reduce visibility in the infrared range of wavelengths, exhaust gases from engines are usually discharged along a horizontal flue system below the waterline.
A typical example, in particular, is the Finnish boat of the "Hamina" type. Its power plant includes two diesel engines 16V 538 TV93 (total power of 7,550 hp) of the German company MTU, each of which operates through a gear transmission for two reversible water-jet propellers.
The main armament of the RCA is made up of four container launchers (PU) of MTO-85M anti-ship missiles. This missile was created by the Swedish company SAAB on the basis of the RBS-15 Mk 2 anti-ship missile system. The main difference from the prototype is the improved turbojet engine, thanks to which the maximum firing range is increased by 50% - up to 150 km. In addition, the boat is equipped with a 57-mm gun mount of the Bofors company, a vertical launch facility for eight Umkonto short-range anti-aircraft guided missiles (SAM) of the South African company Denel, as well as two 12.7 mm machine guns. The solution of anti-sabotage tasks is provided by the Elma nine-barreled grenade launcher.
The radio-electronic means include a three-coordinate radar station (RLS for detecting air and surface targets TRS-3D / I6-ES (maximum detection range of air targets 90 km), as well as a control system for fire weapons "Ceros 200" with radar, television, thermal imaging stations and laser rangefinder The boat is also equipped with a telescopic and lowered hydroacoustic stations.
The processing of data coming from the specified radio equipment or external sources, and the issuance of target designation to weapon systems are carried out using ASBU ANCS-2000. In total, in the period from 1998 to 2007, four RCA of the "Hamina" type were built.
In the interests of the Greek Navy, seven Ipopliarhos Roussen missile boats are under construction. Taking into account the longer operating zone (includes the central part of the Mediterranean and the Aegean Seas), boats of this type, in comparison with the Finnish RCA, have an increased displacement (total - 660 tons) and are equipped with a four-shaft power plant (four 595TE diesel engines with a total capacity of 23,170 hp).
The armament includes: two four-container launchers of Exoset anti-ship missiles MM-40 block 2 (maximum firing range 70 km) or block 3 (180 km), as well as launchers of the Ram anti-aircraft missile system for 21 RIM-116 missiles, 76-mm gun mount "Super Rapid" and two 30-mm single-barreled guns of the Italian company "OTO Melara".
The opening of the tactical situation and the issuance of target designation to weapon systems is provided by the ASBU "Taktikos" according to the data of the three-coordinate radar system for detecting air and surface targets MW-08 and the optoelectronic system "Mirador", as well as from external sources via the link-11 communication line
The Greek Navy has five Ipopliarhos-Roussen-type RCA. The last two hulls are planned to be handed over to the fleet in 2012.
Tactical and technical characteristics, close to the Greek project, have been built since 1996 in Turkey, boats of the "Kilich" type (the project was developed by the German company "Friedrich Lursen Werft"). This RCA is also equipped with a four-shaft power plant (four 956 TB91 diesel engines from MTU) with a total power of 15,120 hp. and is characterized by comparable combat capabilities.
The boat's armament: two four-container launchers for firing anti-ship missiles "Harpoon" Block 2 (maximum firing range of 120 km), 76-mm single-barreled and 40-mm twin gun mounts from OTO Melara, two 7, 62-mm machine guns. The basis of radio electronic means, like on a Greek boat, is the MW-08 radar.
Eight boats have been built at the German shipyard "Lursen" and the Turkish "Istanbul" so far. The ninth corps was transferred to the fleet at the end of 2010. In addition, the command of the Turkish Navy is considering building two more RCA of this type.
Fundamentally different from these samples is the project of the Umoe Mendal company, which implements the program of construction for the Norwegian Navy air-cushion missile boats (RKAVP) of the Sled type of skeg type. Their design feature is two hulls connected by a common deck, which, along with the superstructure, are made of multilayer fiberglass reinforced with carbon fiber.
The catamaran scheme, according to experts, provides a higher stability of the boat than that of single-hull ships, and the use of composite structural materials - a significant decrease in its visibility in various wavelength ranges and a decrease in displacement.
The significant innovative capacity of this project ensured the high performance characteristics of the "Sheld" type boat and the ability to solve a wide range of tasks.
A combined diesel-gas turbine power plant was installed on the head RKAVP, which, during the tests, ensured the highest speed of 57 knots at 1 point in sea waves and 44 knots in waves of up to 3 points. On subsequent boats of the series, a more reliable and easy-to-operate gas turbine unit was used - two sustainer STI8 and two afterburner ST40 turbines (developed by the American company Pratt & Whitney). At the same time, the total power of the power plant (about 16,000 hp) did not change, which made it possible to maintain the speed characteristics of the lead boat.
It should be noted that according to the results of tests and experimental operation of the RCAVP in the Norwegian and US Navy, a number of changes were made to the project. In particular, the bow contours of the hull were given a more sloping shape in order to reduce shock loads and wave resistance of the water. The upper deck in the area of the tank is reinforced with an additional kit to accommodate the 76-mm "Super Rapid" artillery mount instead of the previously planned 57-mm gun mount. As the main armament, the boat carries two four-container launchers of new Norwegian NSM anti-ship missiles (maximum firing range of 185 km).
In turn, the development of missile boats is one of the important areas of modernization of the national navies in the leading states of East Asia. It is believed that large-scale construction of a RCA with relatively small amounts of financial costs makes it possible in a short time to expand the operational capabilities of surface forces not only in solving problems in the near sea zone, but also in combating enemy ship groupings, as well as in the interests of disrupting its communications in relatively remote areas.
The corresponding program has been implemented in Japan. The national naval forces have six Hayabusa-class RCA, which entered service in the navy in 2002-2005.
The boat's armament includes four SSM-IB anti-ship missile launchers (maximum firing range of 150 km), a 76-mm Super Rapid artillery mount and two 12.7 mm machine guns. The composition of radio-electronic means includes radar detecting surface targets of national production, as well as radar and optoelectronic gun mount fire control stations. The lack of radar stations for detecting air targets limits the boat's capabilities in self-defense against attacking air targets, primarily anti-ship missiles.
The largest number of RCA in combat strength among the countries of the world is at the disposal of the PRC Navy (more than 100 units). Since 2005, China has launched serial construction of Project 022 missile catamarans of the Houbei type in order to replace the outdated Huangfeng and Housin RCA types. This project, developed on the basis of the Australian high-speed cargo-passenger ferry company "Austal", is characterized by a high degree of use of innovative solutions and, according to Western experts, is the most successful experience in introducing modern technologies to reduce the visibility and improve the running performance of a boat in the practice of Chinese military shipbuilding.
The double-hull architecture provides the RCA with increased seaworthiness, and a significant deck area - the placement of weapon systems and technical equipment.
A characteristic feature is the two-arch design of the bow, formed by two lateral displacement hulls and the main platform connecting them, which in normal conditions is above the structural waterline. This design makes it possible to reduce the impact of shock loads, as well as the likelihood of the body's own vibration, in case of oncoming waves without reducing the travel speed. In order to reduce the weight of the boat, all hull structures and elements of the set are made of aluminum alloys.
Low level of underwater noise is ensured by the use of two-stage depreciation of the main units of the main power plant. It includes two diesel engines with a total capacity of 6,865 liters. s, each of which works through gears for two reversible water jet propulsion devices. Along with improved contours of the underwater part of the hulls, this allows a maximum speed of up to 38 knots.
Reducing the thermal signature of the RCA is ensured by the outlet of exhaust gases cooled to 60-80 ° C into the space between the hulls at the waterline level.
The boats are equipped with two hangar-type quadruple launchers for firing YJ-83 anti-ship missiles (maximum firing range 150 km), a launcher for the Jianwei portable anti-aircraft missile system (12 SAM ammunition) is installed on the superstructure, a six-barreled 30-mm AU " Type 630 ".
In addition to navigation, the radio-electronic means include the Type 362 surface and air target detection radar, as well as the HHOS 300 optoelectronic surveillance complex, which includes a thermal imager, a high-sensitivity TV camera and a laser rangefinder.
The construction of boats of the Houbei type is carried out simultaneously at four shipyards: Qiuxin Shipyard (Shanghai), Huanglu Shipyard (Guangzhou), Xijiang Shipyard (Liuzhou) and No. 4810 (Lushun). To date, at least 40 RCA have been built.
In Taiwan, the serial construction of the "Quang Hua-6" type RCA is underway, equipped with a three-shaft diesel power plant of the German company MTU with a total capacity of 9,600 hp. Its onboard armament is based on four Xiongfeng-2 anti-ship missile launchers (maximum firing range of 150 km) and a 20-mm Type 75 artillery mount of national production. In addition, space has been reserved for another Type 75 missile launcher and a support-launcher for portable anti-aircraft missile systems.
It was envisaged to use RSA as functional elements of a distributed information support system and control of heterogeneous forces and means of the Taiwanese Navy. Due to the lack of its own target designation means, the formation of flight tasks for firing anti-ship missiles is carried out by the ship-based ASBU "Ta Chen" only on the basis of data from external sources.
The construction of missile boats is carried out in sub-series of two units. The first sub-series was commissioned in the Navy in May 2009, and the transfer of the fourth and fifth corps is expected by the end of this year. In total, by 2012, it is planned to build 30 RCA to replace the outdated type "High Oy".
A large-scale program for the creation of missile and artillery boats under a single project "Komtoksuri" is being implemented in the Republic of Korea. Unlike most foreign analogues, the Korean RCA has a combined diesel-gas turbine power plant, which includes two 16V1163 cruise diesel engines from MTU and two gas turbine LM500 from General Electric, connected through a gearbox at full speed.
The boats are equipped with national weapons systems, including two double-container launchers of SSM-700K Heson anti-ship missiles (maximum firing range 150 km) from LIG NEX1, as well as one 76-mm and twin 40-mm artillery mounts from Daewoo … Radioelectronic facilities are represented by radar stations MW-08 and "Tseros 200" (gun mounts firing control).
In March 2008, the country's Navy was handed over to the Yong Yungha lead RCA, and at the end of 2010 - the second and third boats in the series. In total, by 2018, at the shipyards of Hanjin Heavy Industries (Masan) and STX Shipbuilding (Chinhe), it is planned to build 24 missile boats and 18 artillery boats.
In general, the analysis of the main trends in the design and construction of missile boats in foreign countries allows us to conclude that they are developing as multifunctional combat systems, which, in terms of the nomenclature of their radio-technical and missile-artillery armament, are close to corvette-class ships and light frigates. Along with the traditional functions of anti-ship (antiboat) support for the actions of heterogeneous forces of the national naval forces of the RCA, they are widely used primarily in peacetime to solve the tasks of sentinel and border-customs services.
