Trident-class Frigate

Iverican test configuration of FFG-222 Trident in Súbic, 2019
Class overview
Builders:	Argis-Marenesia Maritime Industries
Operators:	Armada Iverica Royal Gallambrian Navy Salvian Navy
Preceded by:	Súbic-class frigate (ARIV) Defender-class frigate (RGN) Matilda-class frigate (RGN)
Subclasses:	Type-32 Frigate (E-Class) (RGN) Type-33 Frigate (F-Class) (RGN) Type-34 Frigate (G-Class) (RGN)
Cost:	ca. $850 million-$1.1 billion depending on variant (2021)
Built:	2016–present
In commission:	2019-present
Planned:	Trident-Class: 36 Type-32 (E-Class): 14 Type-33 (F-Class): 9 Type-34 (G-Class): 24
Building:	Trident-Class: 6 Type-32 (E-Class): 2 Type-33 (F-Class): 2
Completed:	Trident-Class: 16 Type-32 (E-Class): 12 Type-33 (F-Class): 2
Active:	Trident-Class: 15 Type-32 (E-Class): 10
General characteristics (Displays the equipment of all Flights)
Type:	Frigate
Displacement:	Flight I-A: 7,300 tonnes Flight I-B: 7,400 tonnes Flight I-C: 7,400 tonnes Flight II-A: 7,400 tonnes Flight II-B: 7,600 tonnes Flight II-C: 7,500 tonnes
Length:	151.18 m (496 ft 0 in)
Beam:	19.80 m (65 ft 0 in)
Draft:	4 m (13 ft 1 in)
Propulsion:	CODLAG 2 × 16 MW gas turbines 2 × 6 MW electric motors 4 × 5 MW diesel generators 3 × gearboxes: one for each shaft and one to crossconnect the gas turbine pair to them 2 × shafts, driving controllable pitch propellers 1 × 1 MW bow thruster
Speed:	24 kn (44 km/h) on dielsel-electric, in excess of 29 kn (54 km/h) max.
Range:	6,000 nautical miles (11,000 km) on diesel-electric. Approx. 4,000 nautical miles (7,400 km) using gas turbine.
Boats & landing craft carried:	2 × UUV/ROV 2 × 11 m (36 ft 1 in) RHIB, capable of more than 40 kn (74 km/h)
Capacity:	Space for 2 6.1 m (20 ft 0 in) containers
Complement:	190 (standard crew: 110)
Sensors and processing systems:	KG/SPY-103A Guardian AESA Radar KG/SPY-203 Guardian II TRS-4D AESA Radar (Flight II) RI/SPY-104(5) Multi-function Dual-face AESA (Flight II-C) RI-SPS-212 SMART-L Long-range Early-Warning Radar (Flight II-C) Aerano Combined Navigation, Air Guidance, and IFF Array KG/SPG-62 Fire-Control Radar (Flight I-A) RI/SSQ-18 Isengard Communications & ESM System Joint Defence Communications System Array RI/SAD-12 IRST RI/SAG-23 Electro-Optical System Fortis Defence Electronics Distrubuted Laser Warning Suite RI/SQR-208(7) Multi-function Variable-Depth Towed Array RI/SQQ-89 Submarine Warfare System (Flight I-B, Flight II) RI/SQS-15 Diver and Debris Detection Sonar (hull sonar)
Electronic warfare & decoys:	MASS (Multi Ammunition Softkill System) (Flight II) RI/SLQ-45 communications jammer (Flight II-A, II-B) RI/SLQ-101 Sirena Directed Radar Jammer (Flight II-C) RI/SLQ-51 Adarna Electronic Warfare Suite (Flight II-C) RI/SAQ-8 Electro-Optical Jammer (FFBNW) Manille Systems Myna Decoy Launchers (active radar & optical decoys) 2 × Manille Systems Nyx Towed Decoy Array (acoustic, magnetic, wake emulation decoys)
Armament:	Guns: 1 × 76 mm ARX Super Rapid Gun 1 × 128/64 ARX GNL (Flight I-B) 1 × 155/52 ARX GNH-A/C (Flight II-B) 2 × 30 mm ARX remote-controlled autocannons 6 × 12.7 mm remote-controlled machine gun turrets Close-In Weapon System: 1 × ARX Orthos CIWS (Flight I) 1 × Hydra CIWS (Flight-II) Vertical-Launch Missiles: 32 × cells G-42 Mod 2 VLS (Flight I) 2 × 4 × cells G-42 Mod 4 (Flight I) 46 × cells G-42 Mod 2 VLS (Flight II) Anti-ship missiles: 6 × RGM-220 Requiem anti-ship missiles (Flight I) 8 × RGM-220 Requiem anti-ship missiles (Flight II) Submarine & Mine Warfare: >6 × TVU-54 Torpedoes fired from 2 × Diluvio internal-magazine launchers TORINT agile defensive torpedo interceptors Mine Countermeasures Module Sea Mines (air and ship deployed) Non-Lethal: Water cannons (FFBNW)
Armor:	Shock hardened hull & bulkheads Composite armoured citadel with spall liner
Aircraft carried:	2 × helicopters Wangan HAS.1
Aviation facilities:	2 × hangars

The Trident-class frigate refers to a multi-mission configurable frigate class designed and constructed by the Argis-Marenesia Maritime Industries, a joint Iverican and Gallambrian consortium for naval technology developers and shipbuilding services. The project was known within AMMI as AMMI PROJ. FF-71918, known as the Future-Frigate Program by the Gallambrian and Iverican governments. Member states of the TRIDENT also committed varying amounts of financial assistance to the project.

Though the Trident-class refers specifically to a base frigate design that can be mounted with differing mission configurations, 3 different pre-configured variants were stipulated as an additional objective of the Future-Frigate programme. All variants contracted had a baseline capability to conduct air defence and anti-submarine Warfare with the potential for ship-to-ship engagement depending on what missiles were loaded in the vertical-launch and amidships hardpoints. Flight I-A features surface combat systems and anti-submarine equipment. Flight I-B specialises in mine-laying, mine countermeasures, in-land fire support, and anti-submarine warfare. Flight I-C is a command ship equipped with enough instrumentation, processing, and intelligence suites to serve as a small flagship; Flight I-C also features several Electronic Warfare systems like radar jammers and electro-optical jammers.

Currently, three variants are designated Flights: I-A, I-B, and I-C. All three passed trials and are in production in the Súbic Naval Yards with production licenses granted to Gallambrian builder Mainwaring Trent. The designation "Trident-class" is an internal one and might be re-named depending on the military employing the ship.

Development

FFG-222 Trident in earlier stages of construction

The Trident-class was initially designed to provide TRIDENT nations with a flexible, configurable, and affordable hull design. In 2014, Iverican naval shipbuilder Manille Consolidated Maritime and Gallambrian peer company Mainwaring Trent began a project to design a large frigate hull that was compatible with the existing Iverican MIMiK. The design parameters also called for the use of newer 17-7PH stainless steel for cast and panelled sections of the hull and bulkheads. Likewise, parameters also required the use of lightweight precision-tooled cupro-nickel for internal fixtures and some surfaces. The joint project delivered a test model in 2016, with much success. The hull design received positive remarks for its relative mass-to-size ratio—largely thanks to Manille Consolidated's use of its new stainless steel and cupro-nickel alloys.

In June of 2016, both Manille Consolidated and Mainwaring Trent began a joint effort after receiving identical Requests for Proposal (RFP) from both Gallambrian and Iverican governments. The RFPs of both governments were consolidated as the Future-Frigate Programme later that month and outlined the requirement of a flexible Future-Frigate design that could be equipped for Anti-Submarine Warfare, Mine Warfare, and Command roles. In August of 2016, the keels for three test units were laid in the Súbic Naval Yard, Dock Complexes C, D, and E.. Production of the test units was conducted within Súbic's special projects area, within the facility's indoor workshop. Production proceeded quickly thanks to the complex's access to mechanised gantries and retractable scaffolds.

By April of 2018, both companies underwent a merger into a jointly-owned consortium, Argis-Marenesia Maritime Industries, which would officially continue development and pre-production. In May 2018, both governments oversaw trials by competing companies expecting entries to be in the near-finished state of development. After a 3-day run of trials, AMMI was announced as the contracted party for the consolidated Future-Frigate RFP. Part of AMMI's contract included an order to begin building a further 5 vessels of the same design, to be commissioned if test units passed Armada review.

In July of 2018, limited details released to the press stated that the AMMI test units were "nearing completion". The development stage of the project had gone over budget by an estimated $100 million Adapton Solidii. To address the excess costs, AMMI extended solicited private rounds of funding, issued corporate bonds on Iberic and Gallambrian Fixed-Income markets, and other issued equity offerings to state financial institutions within the TRIDENT.

Though the shipbuilding phase of the project began in 2016, the Trident-class development would experience several delays and re-designs. The test units completed sea trials and pre-production in early 2019, almost a year behind schedule. Initial requirements placed on the project by the Iverican Armada were far too ambitious; total vertical launching cells had to be reduced, along with the total cancellation of the proposed collapsing helicopter pad for the Iverican naval variant of the AMMI MQ-8 Snow Cub, the NR-8N unmanned rotorcraft. Successes and innovations were also noted by the team. Extensive use of 3D modelling, printing, and new simulation software allowed the team to correct structural faults well before pre-production; arguably, this measure saved time and capital.

Nevertheless, three hull configurations passed the Armada Iverica review. In April 2019, one functional test unit per configuration was delivered to the Súbic Naval Proving Zone. These were: Test Unit variants I-A, I-B, and I-C; dedicated surface combatant, shore-warfare ship, and command ship respectively. All variants had a baseline capability to conduct Air-Defence and Anti-Submarine Warfare; though each of the variants also possessed specialised modules or equipment that others did not. All flights passed a shakedown series of manoeuvres and live-fire exercises conducted over 3 days. 1 month following the Iverican admiralty submitted a request to have several allegedly "redundant" test modules removed from the final pre-production models. As a result, the Trident-class carries several empty mounting points which were to carry modules classified to be "Fitted-For But Not With" (FFBNW).

All 3 test units were commissioned into the Armada Iverica in June 2019. During this time the 5 additional Trident-class frigates on order were already being built in Súbic Naval Yards, Manille Yards, and in Altaria Shipworks.

Flight II

A second flight had been planned in 2018 after a design review by the joint Gallambrian-Iverican committee for the Future Frigate Programme. Published commentary following the review expressed concerns over the application of some weapon and sensor systems. The Future Frigate Committee decided to withhold some of these systems for a second flight to allow further development of the immature technologies. A secondary point of contention was on the design of the aftward deckhouse. One asymmetric design proposal, favoured for its mounting point layout, would be competing against the initial mirrored deckhouse design initially favoured for its lower Radar Cross-Section. Before the pre-production of Flight I in September 2018, the mirrored deckhouse was reviewed as being the superior choice for the class' overall build efficiency and reduced profile. However, the Committee ultimately decided to reserve its deployment for the planned Flight II and the asymmetric design was set as Flight I's production aft deckhouse.

The Armada Iverica Procurement Office also decided that it would limit its orders of Flight I Tridents to 13 ships. A tender for 3 Flight II demonstrators was signed early to keep the shipbuilders in constant operation with provisions to commission the demonstrators if they met review standards. These 3 demonstrators had been in rounds of testing just 6 months after the completion of the first 3 Flight I Trident ships in March 2019. Armada testing from March to December 2019 revealed that seakeeping was marginally superior on the symmetrical deckhouse design, though the asymmetric design allowed for a slight increase in radar range in the ship's rear arc, owing to the higher placement of panels on the aft tower. After a further X months in testing, the symmetrical deckhouse design was finalised for the Flight II ships.

The Manille Yards facility was selected for demonstrator production, with teams beginning work in January 2020 and completing the order in November 2022. On average, this was comparatively quick for the Manille Consolidated which had taken more than 3 years to complete the demonstrators for the second flight of Verde Sea-class frigates. The timeline had been expedited by AMMI's use of 3 already-finished Flight-I hulls. A further factor hastening the process was the presence of 2 partially completed aftward deckhouses, which had initially been built in anticipation of the mirrored deckhouse design. With 2 ships complete, the committee pushed trials ahead from the initially planned July schedule, counting on the performance of the 2 sister flight variants to stand in for the then-unfinished Flight II-A. A TRIDENT press release cited the growing tensions in the Adlantic Ocean as a factor in the alterations to Flight II's timeline.

Flight II entered full production in December of 2023, with all 3 original facilities selected for the production of Flight I beginning work on the new flight. In January of 2023, both the Flight II-B and Flight II-C demonstrators were commissioned as the VRI Ronconé (FFG-235) and VRI Sarissa (FFG-236) respectively.

II-A: Surface Warfare, Multirole

II-B: Shore Warfare, Mine Warfare, Anti-Submarine Warfare

II-C: Air-Defence, Electronic Warfare, and Command & Control

Flight II featured a new mirrored deckhouse design which simplified production and decreased the ship's overall RCS at the expense of slightly greater mass. New electronic systems integrated were the RI/WSC-9 broad-frequency system (integrated with the JDCS), the SLQ-45 communications jammer, the Aerano Guardian II SPY-203 AESA radar, and electro-optical fire-control systems. New armament improvements were the Diluvio Internal Magazine Torpedo System, the TORINT Submarine Munition Countermeasure, the Hydra combined gun-missile CIWS, and the Salamander Launcher - standardised class-3 missile deck launchers for the waist-mounted missiles.

Flight II-C ships notably exhibit the greatest divergence from their sister variants. The II-C incorporates structural differences to accommodate mounting space for air defence and electronic warfare equipment. Salamander quad-launchers on the waist were removed to accommodate a tall mast-like radar tower to mount the SMART-L long-range early-warning radar. The amidship communications mast was installed with a Fortis Defence Electronics Opera-V LFR/DF ESM system which is capable of accurate direction finding and signals intercept of emissions in the very-low to low frequency ranges. The SPY-203 radar panels were removed from their tower mounts to accommodate the RI/SLQ-51 Adarna Combined Electronic Warfare system. The SLQ-51 system is an enhancement of the existing RI/SLQ-33 system, adding antennae arrays and computers to enhance signals intelligence over a broader range of frequencies. The SLQ-51 would use combined signals intelligence from its own sensors, the Opera-LFR, and ship radar to provide updates to passive listening processing and active detection methods. The SLQ-51's computer identifies frequency-hopping schemes based on the patterns emitted by perceived threats and adjusts passive and active detection methods on a detected change-by-change basis; it can use collected data to inform its beamforming settings, allowing it to maintain accurate tracks despite being in a heavy jamming environment. The system can also use the data to update its radar signature spoofing capability in real-time and can use the ANCILE Combat System to provide fire-control for other EW systems like the SLQ-101 Sirena jammer. The SLQ-51 also functions as a broad frequency jammer and is capable of multiple jamming forms like barrage, pulse, or base jamming. Unlike the SLQ-101, the SLQ-51 uses an array of emitters and antennae with different output strengths and frequency ranges instead of a single jammer unit. It outputs a shorter effective jamming range than the SLQ-101 but can adjust its aperture to multiple narrow or wide beams 360° around the system. In place of the SPY-203 radars, the II-C ships mount a SPY-104(5) AESA system that uses rotating dual-antennae. The SPY-104(5) replaces the mount space used by the Isengard Communications & ESM system present on other flights.

Other major changes included the removal of 2 of the 4 boat bays, the full integration of the MASS countermeasure system for all flights, the integration of electro-optical dazzlers for all flights, repositioning of the 3x 16-Cell VLS systems, and the installation of an amidships mast to mount the SLQ-45 jammer. There were also Flight-specific changes. Flight II-B was equipped with a 155 mm naval gun to enhance its shore bombardment mission and was given a dedicated hull-mounted sonar on the bow. Flight II-Cs were built with an additional tower for the SMART-L radar and had an additional forward mount for the RI/SLQ-101 Sirena directed jammer. All mounts for continuous-wave illuminators like the SPG-62 on Flight I ships were removed as Flight II ships would replace their air defence missile armaments with units using active-radar guidance.

Variants

FFG-225 Atgeir (foreground) and FFG-223 Albarde (background) under construction on 31 August 2019

Three veriants that had passed trials were initially designed, built, and tested in Iverica. The Flight I-A, Flight I-B, Flight I-C. According to Armada Iverica ship classification conventions, ship "flight" alphanumeric designations are set by one aroman numeral (e.g. I, II, III, IV) denoting the series of the hull and its major physical features; and one letter (A, B, C, D) denoting a configuration of equipment. All variants contracted had a baseline capability to conduct Air-Defence and Anti-Submarine Warfare with the potential for ship-to-ship engagement depending on what missiles were loaded in the vertical-launch and amidships mounts.

The Excalibur Subclass of the Trident refers to Trident class baseline units finished in Gallambria by shipbuilder Mainwaring Trent. Excalibur-class units are nearly identical but typically differ in the type of armament. Requiem missiles are usually not present on Excalibur models. Likewise, Orthros CIWS units on the Excaliburs are typically replaced with Gallambrian systems.

After trials, the Iverican Ministry of Defence chose not the re-designate the class. The Tridents entered Armada service under the same name. Beginning with FFG-222, most Iverican ships are named after Polearms or significant TRIDENT operations. FFG-225 Atgeir, is named after the Atgeir joint naval exercise, the first organisation-wide training event. An Atgeir is also the name of a Northern-Argic hewing-spear. Currently, the Iverican Armada operates 6 out of the 12 active units, with 36 more units on order. The Ministry of Defence is considering opening a second shipyard in Nou Stille to expedite production.

While technically a subclass, the two test ships FF(X)-220 and 221 are not considered fit for military service. FF(X)-220 suffers an irreparable warp to its keel sustained from testing manoeuvres during its earlier iterations. FF(X)-221 served as a testbed for an entirely different interior layout that used aluminium parts. Upon review, AMMI determined the currently available aluminium shipbuilding materials were unable to meet their corrosion resistance and cost ceiling standards. FF(X)-220 is due to be scrapped by the end of 2021, while FF(X)-221 is due to be redesignated as a research and exploratory vessel for the Iverican Ministry of Applied Science and Technology.

Thanks to the MIMiK system, all variants have the ability to be quickly refitted to fulfil some degree of another variant's role.

Stock systems that are equipped on Trident ships:

• Armaments:
  • At least 1 x Orthros CIWS (replaced with the Hydra CIWS on Flight II)- a variant of the Sagittario CIWS using 25 mm autocannons and 2 x octo-racks of RIM/MVI-66 instead of the Sagitarrio's 30mm and 2 x quad racks of MBI-90.
  • G-42 VLS- a Vertical-Launch System with 8-cell, 16-cell, and 32-cell configurations.
  • 2 x G-42, Mod 4- an 8-cell Vertical-Launch System (not present on Flight II).
  • 30 mm ARX Chainguns
  • 12.7mm Remote Machineguns
• Sensors and Processing Systems:
  • ANCILE Combat System- integrating ship sensors, computing, fire-control, and combat management.
  • Joint Defence Communications System (JDCS)- a communications array including ship-to-ship radio, satellite communications, high-frequency (VHF, SHF, UHF) communications, datalink, and encrypt/decrypt systems.
  • Aerano Combined Navigation, Air Guidance, and IFF Array- an array of 6 radars mirrored fore and aft using X-band, S-band, and IFF interrogator radar systems.
  • RI/SSQ-18 Isengard Communications & ESM System- a masted system combining passive radar and communications listening also integrating radio transmit and receive capabilities.
  • Manille Systems RI/SQS-15- a small short-range, low-power hull sonar used to detect debris, divers, submarine landforms, or sea mines.
  • RI/SQR-208(7)- a multi-function variable-depth towed array with the ability to be deployed at selected depths in the water column.
• Countermeasures:
  • Chaff and Decoys- launchable chaff, active radar decoys, visible-light flares, and infrared-dazzling flares. Launched from the MASS system on Flight I-B and Flight II ships. Manoeuvring missile-type decoys are fired from Myna Decoy Launchers.
  • Towed/Trailing Array Decoys- trailing acoustic and wake-emulation decoys. Deployed via Nyx pneumatic tubes at the stern of Trident ships.

Flight I-A

Broadside illustration of a Flight I-A vessel.

A dedicated surface combatant with air-defence and anti-submarine capabilities. Flight I-A was conceptualised as a cost-effective solution to fielding destroyers. Much of its armaments and systems are comparable to that of a small destroyer. Given that the Flight I-A production cost is approximately half of an Ancile Combat System General Luna-class destroyer, it is argued that the Flight I-A provides the number of ships needed for comparable roles while also being much less of a financial loss if damaged or destroyed. Recent commentary at press events suggests that the Iverican Armada plans to minimise future production of destroyers and lighter frigates, fully focusing on deploying formations of heavier frigates like the Trident-class.

Flight I-A carries all baseline modules that her sister ships carry. Though it is equipped with considerably more anti-ship missiles and missile interceptors.

Notable Sensor Systems

• KG/SPG- Gallambrian built dedicated continuous-wave fire-control radar.

Notable Armaments

• 76mm ARX Rapid Gun- a naval gun capable of firing 120 rounds per minute. Utilises different ammunition types making the gun ideal for engaging swarms of surface targets or fast-moving aerial targets.
• RGM/MVS-84 Block II- a near-sonic sea-skimming missile armed with a variety of electronic countermeasures and evasive programming. A cost-effective, short-range (280 km), anti-ship missile. Trident-classes may carry 2x quad-launchers amidships. Though the amidship hardpoints are capable of bearing the launchers, most Trident-classes will carry the MVS-220 triple launchers instead.
• RGM/MVS-220- Armada designation for the supersonic, ramjet Requiem Missile. A much faster, but much larger sea-skimming missile for engagements at medium range (650-700 km). Trident-classes may carry 2x triple-launchers amidships.
• RGM/MVS-101- a vertically-launched, supersonic, sea-skimming, anti-ship missile fired from a G-42 Vertical-Launch System.
• RUM/MVU-102- a vertically-launched, supersonic, sea-skimming, anti-submarine missile. It consists of three stages, one booster with a thrust vector nozzle, one conventional booster, and one anti-submarine light torpedo. The system does not require an exact lock; the third-stage torpedo is capable of seeking sonar signatures independently over a small area.
• TVU-54- a light, short-range (9.1 km) torpedo capable of active, passive, or semi-active acoustic guidance. Trident-classes may carry 2x triple tubes amidships or in in the quarterdeck. If amidships anti-ship launchers are removed, Tridents can carry 4x triple tubes for a total of 12 torpedoes.
• RIM/MVI-201- also known as the ANCILE-1 missile; supersonic interceptor missile capable of shooting down missiles or aircraft. Is also known to be capable of an anti-ship role, but suffers from a slow, gliding terminal stage and high-angle of attack when in this mode.
• RIM/MVI-80DE- also known as the Golondrina missile; a compact surface-to-air missile designed to counter supersonic manoeuvring anti-ship missiles. May be quad-packed into one G-42 VLS cell. Usually equipped on all Trident-classes

Notable Countermeasures

• 2 × Towed decoy array (acoustic and magnetic)

• Flight I-A systems
• 

  ANCILE-1 fired from an Iverican Destroyer

• 

  TVU-54 torpedo launched from a Trident-class frigate

• 

  KG/SPG-62 fire-control radar

• 

  an Orthros CIWS; armed with twin 20 mm guns and 2 octo-racks of RIM/MVI-66.

• 

  A missile decoy being launched.

Flight I-B

An AMMI Snow Cub loitering.

Flight I-B was conceptualised out of the perceived necessity to maintain an ocean-going vessel capable of keeping up with carrier formations and then providing mine-sweeping and countermeasures capability once in the Area of Operation. Its mine warfare and anti-submarine specialities were integrated as a cost-saving measure; both missions require an indexed capability to deploy sonar sensors effectively. The decision to include an in-land fire support role came out of I-B's perceived operating environment; noting that mine-warfare operations already happen in and around littoral zones, the Trident design team decided to integrate the mission with I-B's already expansive capabilities.

Flight I-B fulfils the role of a group escort that could provide the baseline roles (air defence, escort) while armed with specialised sonar sensors and land-attack armaments for its primary roles of mine warfare, anti-submarine warfare, and in-land fire support. I-B carries a hull sonar, towed variable-depth sonar, sonobuoys, torpedoes, unmanned underwater vehicles, and a rotorcraft equipped with mine detection and mine-neutralisation modules; I-B may also carry 2-4 unmanned, mine-countermeasures equipped rotorcraft in place of the manned utility rotor. These rotorcraft and sensors are also used for anti-submarine warfare; the I-B comes further equipped with a RI/SQQ submarine warfare system that acts much like the ANCILE Combat System, allowing for the quick communication of surveillance sensors and guidance sensors to neutralise an enemy submarine. For in-land fire support, this configuration is also armed with land-attack versions of the Requiem missile in addition to its 12.8 cm naval gun. Its vertical-launch system may also be equipped with land-attack versions of the ME-DE cruise missile.

Notable Sensor Systems

A dipping sonar being lowered from a SUR-31V helicopter

• RI/SQQ-89 Submarine Warfare System- The system presents an integrated picture of the tactical situation by receiving, combining and processing active and passive sensor data from the hull-mounted array, towed array and sonobuoys. SQQ-89 is integrated with the ANCILE combat system and provides a full range of undersea warfare (USW) functions including active and passive sensors, underwater fire control, an onboard trainer, and a highly evolved display subsystem. It provides detection, classification, and targeting capability.
• Detection Systems on Rotorcraft and Underwater Vehicles- NR-8N Catumar, SUR-31V, NH-90, and a UUV can provide laser or sonar surveillance. Rotorcraft can equip an airborne laser mine detection system for sea mines and a dipping sonar for submarines. The UUVs mount an RI/AQS-20A sensor system; they are capable of magnetic and acoustic detection.

Notable Armaments

ME-DE-2's third-stage vertically-launched torpedo.

• 128/64 ARX GNL- a long-range naval gun for main-line surface warfare combatants. Can engage aerial and surface targets. Can be loaded with a satellite-guided rocket-assisted munition for in-land fire support at a range of up to 100km.
• MBT-220- a land-attack version of the Requiem Missile. Trident-classes may carry 2x triple-launchers amidships.
• RUM/MVU-102- a vertically-launched, supersonic, sea-skimming, anti-submarine missile. It consists of three stages, one booster with a thrust vector nozzle, one conventional booster, and one anti-submarine light torpedo.
• TVU-54- a light, short-range (9.1 km) torpedo capable of active, passive, or semi-active acoustic guidance. Trident-classes may carry 2x triple tubes amidships or in in the quarterdeck. If amidships anti-ship launchers are removed, Tridents can carry 4x triple tubes for a total of 12 torpedoes.
• Airborne Mine Neutralisation System- carried by rotorcraft; the RI/ASQ-235 uses a handling system and a neutraliser vehicle carrying an armour-piercing warhead. Once a threat is detected, the system is deployed by rotorcraft and lowered to the vicinity of the mine. The warhead is fired and the mine is detonated.
• Snow Cub Guided Rockets- the MQ-8/NR-8N may be fitting with a pair of rocket pods containing 4 semi-active laser-homing rockets each.
• G-65A Airborne Sea Mine- a magnetic sea mine which can be dropped from the ship's rotor complement.
• G-66R Sea Mine- a 200 kg remotely controlled mobile mine deployed from the aft slip bay.
• G-67T Torpedo Mine- Comprised of a torpedo canister, cable, and anchor, the G-67T sinks when deployed until its computerised acoustic or magnetic fuzes are triggered. The G-67T then fires a lightweight, short-range homing torpedo at its target.
• I-B may also carry any other missile system that is compatible with the G-42 VLS.

Notable Countermeasures

• Additional Towed Acoustic and Magnetic Decoys
• Fortis Defence Electronics Electro-Optical Jammer and Laser Warning Suite (Flight I-B)
• Manille Systems MASS (Multi Ammunition Softkill System)- originally designed to come stock on all Trident-class configurations, the Soft-Kill system was later removed from Flights I-A and I-C as a cost-saving measure. Returned on all variants of Flight II

Flight I-C

Flight I-C features expanded Command & Control facilities.

The Flight I-C Trident-class is a command configuration of the Trident-class. While retaining the capability to be armed with anti-ship missiles and torpedoes, I-C also carries a wide array of signals equipment and command & control facilities. Additional surface and air search radars permit the I-C to constantly monitor an area of operations. ESM equipment allow for intelligence gathering while additional operations rooms allow more command or intelligence staff to operate synchronously.

This configuration is also equipped with radar jammers, expanding its role to include electronic warfare. Within a group, the I-C can support units by jamming enemy aircraft, drones, or nearby ships and land installations. I-C's Sirena jammer can also be used to cause a communications blackout over a certain area; limiting the use of radio or cellular communications. Additionally, the I-C can act as a missile instrumentation ship, tracking long-range launches.

Notable Sensor Systems

SMART-L Radar

• ANCILE Baseline C- a much more sophisticated radar suite comprised of the SPY radar, an additional surface and aerial search radar, and instrumentation and designation radar.
  • SMART-L Radar (additional)- for long-range, high-volume search.
• Fortis Defence Electronics Isengard Communications & ESM system- a combined communications mast and passive listening suite that operates in the 0.5–40 GHz frequency range. It receives signals in very-high frequency and ultra-high frequency bands—sensitive to both communications and radar emissions. The system has a maximum detection range of 350 km, although the detection of surface vessels is limited to around 70–80 km, depending on the height of the target and the antenna.
• Fortis Defence Electronics Noosphera Shipboard Command Suite.
  • Capable of HF, UHF, VHF, and SHF encrypt/decrypt.
• Dedicated space for additional command & control facilities.

Notable Armaments

an IR lamp part of the Electro-Optical jamming suite

• 76mm ARX Rapid Gun- a naval gun capable of firing 120 rounds per minute. Utilises different ammunition types making the gun ideal for engaging swarms of surface targets or fast-moving aerial targets.
• RIM/MVI-201- also known as the ANCILE-1 missile; supersonic interceptor missile capable of shooting down missiles or aircraft. Is also known to be capable of an anti-ship role, but suffers from a slow, gliding terminal stage and high-angle of attack.
• RIM/MVI-80DE- also known as the Golondrina missile; a compact surface-to-air missile designed to counter supersonic manoeuvring anti-ship missiles. May be quad-packed into one G-42 VLS cell. Usually equipped on all Trident-classes
• I-C may also carry any other missile system that is compatible with the G-42 VLS.

Notable Countermeasures

• Electro-Optical Jammer and Laser Warning Suite- Infrared dazzlers and Directed-Infrared Countermeasures. Can be used to
• RI/SLQ-101 Sirena Jamming System- intended to jam AWACS/AEW&C aircraft or drones. Can also be used to jam communications.

Additional Systems Carried

• The I-C has space for an additional 2 RHIBs or two armed ROVs launched from an aft slip bay below the helicopter landing deck. The slip bay can also house a single narrow-body assault boat in place of 2 smaller boats. The I-C can carry a total of 6 boats, making this configuration capable of larger than normal amphibious sorties.