Norwegian frigate project

[heuhen]

The Norwegian frigate project was official started in 1997 where there was opened competition for new Norwegian frigates. company's from:

- USA
(Ingalls)
(Northrop Grumman Ship Systems)
(VT Shipbuilding with SaabTech)

- Germany
(Blohm + Voss (now ThyssenKrupp) teamed with BAE Systems)

- France
(Armaris)

- Spain
(Navantia with Lockheed Martin)

- UK
(can't remember the name)

- Norway
(NorEskort (team consisting of Kvaerner Marine, Umoe Sterkoder, and Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace AS (KDA))


On 15 July 1998, the RNoN announced its shortlist of bidders that would receive contracts for the project definition specification work and would receive RfPs for the final specifications. The final three bidders Navantia, Blohm + Voss, and NorEskort.

In May 1999, the Norwegian Government advised Navantia that the Navantia/Lockheed Martin option was its preferred choice for the Future Escort Frigate. The announcement of Navantia/Lockheed Martin as the preferred supplier set off a flurry of complex negotiations that continued through the summer and fall of 1999. Reportedly, the Blohm + Voss offer was within the budget limits, but the RNoN preferred the Aegis capability. The Navantia/Lockheed Martin offer, on the other hand, was over the budget and intense negotiations focused on developing an acceptable contract price. In June, the Norwegian Government announced that it would postpone its final decision on a prime contractor for the program from early August 1999 to January 2000; the extra time being necessary to continue the contract negotiations, and evaluate other offers.


Ingalls. it never get pass the first stage. (used some small things/inspiration from the Fridtjof Nansen class).

[bezobrazov]

Very nice! Can I borrow this for a future (hopefully!) project of mine?

[heuhen]

yeah sure!

[acelanceloet]

hell, those SPY arrays were cramped! are you sure they were regular SPY-1K arrays, and not another antenna system linked to AEGIS computers?

[heuhen]

hell, those SPY arrays were cramped! are you sure they were regular SPY-1K arrays, and not another antenna system linked to AEGIS computers?

yes!

they probably solved the problem with having all other equipment to the radar in the leg..

[acelanceloet]

if that was possible, why didn't they do it on the nansen instead of it's current mushroom?

[heuhen]

if that was possible, why didn't they do it on the nansen instead of it's current mushroom?

most likely that Norwegian Navy wanted all that equipment that is behind the radar in one place, other than that I don't know. I am not going to bother to call my step-dad that worked on that radar solution and ask him why.


But it would be the same as ask why those Spanish frigates or the US destroyers... etc.



I can only think that is better to have all electronic as close as possible to the radar, but you can move it around if no other way. But I bet if Norway had gone for Ingalls, the radar doom... would probably look different.

[Colombamike]

The Norwegian frigate project was official started in 1997 where there was opened competition for new Norwegian frigates. company's from: France (Armaris)

Hmmm, a French FFG design, by 1997-1999
I suspect a mix of these three design:
French Lafayette FFG class (ordered by 1988/1992, built by 1990/2001)

Taiwanese Kang Ding FFG class (ordered by 1989/1991, built by 1993/1998)

Saudi-Arabia Al-Riyadh class (ordered by 1994/1997, built by 1999-2004)


PS: hmmm, even the Formidable design
Singapore Formidable FFG class (ordered by 2000, built by 2002/2009 => the same timeline with norwegian !!!! )

[acelanceloet]

interestingly, all 3 those ships have the same hull, or one very close, and are quite often listed as all being lafayette class. (together with those from singapore, which are an larger deviation from the base design)

that said, heuhen, I find it interesting I see the design(s) with thales systems nowwhere in your list, neither do I see HSA/Holland Signaal Apparaten. were those in in an different round of the designs?

[heuhen]

interestingly, all 3 those ships have the same hull, or one very close, and are quite often listed as all being lafayette class. (together with those from singapore, which are an larger deviation from the base design)

that said, heuhen, I find it interesting I see the design(s) with thales systems nowwhere in your list, neither do I see HSA/Holland Signaal Apparaten. were those in in an different round of the designs?

In May 1999, the Norwegian Government advised Navantia that the Navantia/Lockheed Martin option was its preferred choice for the Future Escort Frigate. The announcement of Navantia/Lockheed Martin as the preferred supplier set off a flurry of complex negotiations that continued through the summer and fall of 1999. Reportedly, the Blohm + Voss offer was within the budget limits, but the RNoN preferred the Aegis capability. The Navantia/Lockheed Martin offer, on the other hand, was over the budget and intense negotiations focused on developing an acceptable contract price. In June, the Norwegian Government announced that it would postpone its final decision on a prime contractor for the program from early August 1999 to January 2000; the extra time being necessary to continue the contract negotiations, and evaluate other offers.

after the first round, where all company's delivered in there designs late. there was an second round with adjusted requirement.


What I know at the moment is:

Germany = Meko 200 design with APAR.
The British one that used an British electronics
US design: AEGIS combat system with it's equipment
And if the French designs was to meet the bill for an modern frigate that will from time to time have command of an NATO Naval force... APAR or similar.


If my head is remembering thins correct now. I think the British frigate suggestion was from: Vosper (and something else)


oh you asked about the SPY-1K arrays. Fridtjof Nansen class have SPY-1F!