Trident-class Frigate

Iverican Test Model FFX-222 Pike in Súbic, 2019
Class overview
Builders:	Argis-Marenesia Maritime Industries
Operators:	Armada Iverica Royal Gallambrian Navy
Preceded by:	Súbic-class frigate
Cost:	ca. $850 million-$960 billion depending on variant (2021)
Built:	2018–present
In commission:	2019-present
Planned:	50
Building:	8
Completed:	12
Active:	12
General characteristics (Note that the final design may differ)
Type:	Frigate
Displacement:	Flight I-A: 7,300 tonnes Flight I-B: 7,200 tonnes Flight I-C: 7,000 tonnes
Length:	151.18 m (496 ft 0 in)
Beam:	19.80 m (65 ft 0 in)
Draft:	5 m (16 ft 5 in)
Propulsion:	CODLAG 1 × 20 MW gas turbine 2 × 5 MW electric motors 4 × 3 MW diesel generators 3 × gearboxes: one for each shaft and one to crossconnect the gas turbine 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 two 6.1 m (20 ft 0 in) containers
Complement:	190 (standard crew: 110)
Sensors and processing systems:	Aerano Defence & Security Systems KG/SPY-103A Guardian (AESA) radar KG/SPG Fire-Control Radars GAe Systems Multifunction Navigation & Helicopter Guidance Radar GAe Systems Magellen Suite with Tiehl Systems Bunjil Radar Transceiver (FFBNW) GAe Systems Occulus ESM (Flight I-C only) JDCS-A, B, C (Joint Defence Communications System) Fortis Defence Electronics Nousphera Shipboard Command Suite (Flight I-C) Capable of HF, UHF, VHF, SHF, and encrypt/decrypt Manille Systems Debris and Diver Detection Sonar (hull) Manille Naval Systems Multi-function Variable-Depth TAILS 2087 (Flight I-A & I-B) RI/SQQ Submarine Warfare System Link 11, Link16, Link 18, Link 22 communications systems
Electronic warfare & decoys:	TKWA/MASS (Multi Ammunition Softkill System) (FFBNW on Flights I-A and I-C, stock on I-B) Fortis Defence Electronics Electro-Optical Jammer and Laser Warning Suite (Flight I-C) Sirena Jamming System (Stock on Flight I-C and optional on Flight I-A) Radar and Sonar Decoys for missiles and torpedoes 2 × Towed decoy array (acoustic and magnetic) (Flight I-B)
Armament:	Naval guns: 12.8 cm ARX N-SBG with guided VULCANO ammunition for land-attack missions (range: more than 100 km (62 mi))(Flights I-A and I-B only) 1 × 75mm ARX (Flight I-C only) 2 × 30 mm ARX remote-controlled autocannons 5 × 12.7 mm remote-controlled machine gun turrets 2 × 12.7 mm HMG (manually controlled) Close-In Weapon System: 2 × ARX Orthos CIWS Vertical-Launch Missiles: ME-DE Missiles (assorted) mounted on 32-cell G-42 Mod 1 ME-DE Missiles on 2x 4-cell G-42 Mod 2 Anti-ship missiles: 6 × TevRan anti-ship missiles or 8x TVU-54 Torpedoes MIMiK Mine Warfare Module (Flight I-B only) Mine Countermeasures Module Mine Laying Module Non-Lethal: Water cannons (optional)
Aircraft carried:	2 × helicopters (depending on nation) SUR-31V NH-90
Aviation facilities:	2 × hangars

The Trident-class frigate refers to a multi-mission configurable frigate hull designed and constructed by the Argis-Marenesia Maritime Industries, a joint Iverican-Gallambrian and consortium for naval technology developers and shipbuilding services. The project was known within AMMI as AMMI PROJ. FF-71918; and 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 via pre-order.

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.

Design

FFG-220 Trident in earlier stages of construction

The Trident-class was initially designed with the goal of providing TRIDENT nations with a flexible, configurable, and affordable hull design. In 2014, Iverican naval shipbuilder Manille Consolidated Maritime and Gallambrian equivalent 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 the cast parts of the hull, with light-weight cupro-nickel fittings required for internals. Both companies joint-project delivered a successful test model in 2016. The hull design received remarks for its relative mass to size ratio—largely thanks to Manille Consolidated use of its new stainless steel and cupro-nickel alloys.

In June of 2016, both companies created Argis-Marenesia Maritime Industries in response to an identical Request for Proposal by both Gallambrian and Iverican governments; the RFP outlined the requirement of a flexible Future-Frigate design that could be equipped for Anti-Submarine Warfare, Mine Warfare, and Command roles. In 2017, AMMI was announced as the contracted party for the Future-Frigate Programme.

Beginning as the AMMI PROJ. FF-71918, the Trident-class went through a number of delays and re-designs for 2 successive years until finally entering trial and pre-production in 2018. 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 AMMI Snow Cub unmanned rotorcraft. The keels for three test units were laid in the Subic Naval Yard, Dock Complexes C, D, and E

Nevertheless, three hull configurations passed the Armada Iverica review. In mid-2018, 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 the course of 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 a number of empty mounting points which were to carry modules classified to be "Fitted-For But Not With" (FFBNW).

Variants

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 hardpoints.

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 all flights:

• Armaments:
  • At least 1 x Orthos CIWS
  • G-42, Mod 1 32-cell Vertical-Launch System
  • 2 x G-42, Mod 2 4-cell Vertical-Launch System
  • 25mm ARX Chainguns
  • 12.7mm Remote Machineguns
  • Orthos CIWS- a variant of the Sagittario CIWS using 20mm autocannons and 2 x octo-racks of MVI-66 instead of the Sagitarrio's 30mm and 2 x quadracks of MBI-90.
• Sensors and Processing Systems:
  • ANCILE Baseline A (SPY radar, ANCILE fire-control system, etc.)
  • JDCS-A, B, C (Joint Defence Communications System)
  • GAe Systems Multifunction Navigation & Helicopter Guidance Radar
  • Manille Systems Debris and Diver Detection Sonar (hull)
  • Manille Naval Systems Multi-function Variable-Depth TAILS 2087- a towed radar array with the ability to be deployed at selected depths in the water column.
• Countermeasures:
  • Chaff and Decoys- to counter radar, laser, and sonar locked systems.

Flight I-A

FFG-225 Atgeir and FFG-223 Albard under construction on 31 August 2019

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 very small destroyer. Given that the Flight I-A production cost is approximately half of a Ancile Combat System General Luna-class destroyer, it is argued that the Flight I-A provides the quantity of ships needed for comparable roles while also being much less of a financial loss if damaged or destroyed.

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 fire-control radar that searches a narrower band but yields high targeting-quality radar data and is rated to track small, very fast moving surface and aerial targets.

Notable Armaments

• 12.8 cm ARX N-SBG- standard 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.
• MVT-84DE (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.
• MVT-220- Armada designation for the supersonic, ramjet TevRan 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.
• ME-DE-1 (MVT-101)- a vertically-launched supersonic sea-skimming anti-ship missile fired from a G-42 Vertical-Launch System. Trident-classes may have any number of these inside its 40 cells carried.
• ME-DE-2 (MVT-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, Trident's can carry 4x triple tubes for a total of 12 torpedoes.
• 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.
• MVI-80DE- also known as the Golondrina missile; a compact surface-to-air missile designed to counter supersonic manoeuvering anti-ship missiles. May be quad-packed into one G-42 VLS cell. Usually equipped on all Trident-classes

• 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

• 

  a Orthos CIWS; armed with twin 20 mm guns and 2 quadracks of 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 firesupport. 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 2-3 unmanned and 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 TevRan missile in addition to its naval gun. Its vertical-launch system may also be equipped with land-attack versions of the ME-DE cruise missile.

Notable Sensor Systems

• RI/SQQ-89 Submarine Warefare 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, onboard trainer and a highly evolved display subsystem. It provides detection, classification, and targeting capability.
• Detection Systems on Rotorcraft and Underwater Vehicles- Snow Cub, SUR-31V, and a UUV can provide laser or sonar surveillance. Rotorcraft use an airborne laser mine detection system for sea-mines and a dipping sonar for submarines. The UUVs mount a RI/AQS-20A sensor system; they are capable of magnetic and acoustic detection.

Notable Armaments

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

• 12.8 cm ARX N-SBG- standard 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.
• MBT-220- a land-attack version of the TevRan Missile. Trident-classes may carry 2x triple-launchers amidships.
• ME-DE-2 (MVT-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 AMMI Snow Cub may be fitting with a pair of rocket pods containing 4 semi-active laser homing rockets each.

Notable Countermeasures

• TKWA/MASS (Multi Ammunition Softkill System)- originally designed to come stock on all Trident-class configurations, the Soft-Kill system was later removed as a cost-saving measure. It remains on the I-B as the ship is the most likely to encounter small rocket or missile weaponry while conducting its close-to-shore operations.
• Additional Towed Acoustic and Magnetic Decoys

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 constnatly 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

Notable Sensor Systems

ground variant of the Sirena towed jamming module on display.

• 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.
  • SPY-3 radar (additional)- for high-volume search.
• GAe Systems Occulus ESM- a passive listening suite that allows for analysis of a variety of different frequencies and bands of detected signals.
• Fortis Defence Electronics Nousphera Shipboard Command Suite.
  • Capable of HF, UHF, VHF, SHF, and encrypt/decrypt.
• Dedicated space for additional command & control facilities.

Notable Armaments

an IR lamp part of the Electro-Optical jamming suite

• 57mm ARX Rapid Gun- a high rate of fire weapon designed purely for close-range defence and as a counter to swarm tactics. Much lighter and cheaper to mount than the 12.8 cm gun.
• 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.
• MVI-80DE- also known as the Golondrina missile; a compact surface-to-air missile designed to counter supersonic manoeuvering 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
• 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 making this configuration capable of launching small amphibious sorties.