Endurance-class frigate
 An Endurance-class frigate of the Daoan Navy
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| Class overview | |
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| Builders: | Khuat Shipyards |
| Operators: | |
| Preceded by: | Independence-class frigate |
| Cost: | $385 million per ship |
| Built: | 2017 - Present |
| In commission: | 2020 - Present |
| Planned: | 10 |
| Building: | 2 |
| Completed: | 8 |
| Active: |
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| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Multi-Mission Frigate |
| Displacement: |
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| Length: | 140 m (459 ft 4 in) |
| Beam: | 20 m (65 ft 7 in) |
| Draught: | 5 m (16 ft 5 in) |
| Propulsion: |
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| Speed: | In excess of 30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph) |
| Range: | 7,100 nmi (13,000 km; 8,000 mi) |
| Endurance: | 30 days at sea |
| Boats & landing craft carried: |
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| Complement: |
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| Sensors and processing systems: |
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| Electronic warfare & decoys: |
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| Armament: |
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| Aircraft carried: |
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| Aviation facilities: | Helicopter deck & hangar. |
The Endurance-class (Daoan: Sức chịu đựng) multi-mission frigates is a class of frigates in service within the Daoan Congressional Republic Navy designed, developed & constructed by Khuat Shipyards. The Endurance-class is a development of the earlier Independence-class frigates, a lighter guided-missile frigate weapons platform. Aside from the standard anti-aircraft, anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare roles, of which the Independence-class were built for, Endurance-class frigates are able to fulfill a wider variety of mission profiles ranging from amphibious warfare and numerous other military operations other than war such as search and rescue, distribution of humanitarian aid, anti-piracy, counterterrorism and many more. The Endurance-class's versatility is largely owed to its enlarged capacity with it being 20 meters longer and 5 meters wider than the Independence-class. The extra space onboard the Endurance is capable of accomodating a large troop complement, up to 150 marines or a company's worth alongside a large cargo bay where variety vehicles such as motorized, armored fighting vehicles and landing crafts can be stored and deployed when required. Ships of the class have a small ramp with suport systems that act as a small well deck where its fleet of smaller landing or assault crafts can egress and ingress with ease. Vessels of the class are able to accomodate up to two medium helicopters and three unmanned aerial vehicles in its helicopter deck & hangar facilities. The type of vehicles or smaller craft that the Endurance carries can be easily changed to suit an Endurance's specific mission profile. The Endurance-class's role as a troop transport without sacrificing its firepower was purpose built for the Daoan navy where it requires more and more multi-mission vessels as to compared to larger and heavily specialized or dedicated vessels such as destroyers and helicopter carriers. As such, the Endurance-class is not only a used as an individual component of a task force/unit, but also as a force projection asset that is capable of operating independently for certain mission profiles. The Daoan navy has ordered three Endurance's to replace one of its ageing Dammay-class landing platform docks with the first ship, the TCD <INSERTNAME> commissioned in 2020.
Development
In 2014 the Daoan navy is in the midst of planning the retirement of its ageing Dammay-class landing platform docks but has yet to find a replacement for it. Debates were held whether to find a modern equivalent of the Dammay-class and either domesticaly develop it or procure it from an allied country, or to partially replace them with a lighter and more agile troop transport. Proposals for a replacement vesssel were submitted by various designers including Khuat Shipyards, a subsidiary of Khuat Corp, and foreign althogh ultimately the Daoan navy selected Khuat Shipyards's design as the winner. Concens for the new frigate would be that it renders the Independence-class obsolete, or that it was far to soon to procure a new frigate that essentailly has the same role and functions of the existing ones. The Endurance-class was designed as a significant improvement over the Independence-class which would allow it to take a greater number of mission profiles. While its predecessor was designed for combat, Endurance-class ships are able to act as command ships for anti-piracy or drug interdiction operations, or as agile troop transport that can ferry motorized infantry companies and deploy them in amphibious warfare. The ship's interior would be configured to a customer's requirement. Construction of the first vessel, the TCD <INSERTNAME>, began in 2017 and was commissioned in 2020 alongside her sister ship in 2021. A third vessel is currently under construction with plans to procure a fourth frigate.
Design
General Characteristics
Armament
The armament utilized by Endurance-class frigates are similar to that used by the Independence-class, with variation in the Endurance having more quantity and ammunition capacity. They are equipped with a diverse range of weapon systems that allows it to combat threats from all three theaters of war: air, land and sea.
- Guns: ships of the class are equipped with three types of guns. It is equipped with a primary KYC super-rapid fire 76mm naval gun with a rate of fire (RoF) of 120 rounds per minute (RPM). It is manufactured by Khuat Defense Systems and mounted on a stealth copula to help reduce its radar cross section. Two 35mm Shield CIWS manufactured by Tran Heavy Industries provides point-defense protection for the frigate against incoming airborne threats, primarily missiles & rockets, that has penetrated the frigates long-range anti-air missiles. It has a maximum effective range of 4,500 meters and if required can also be used against surface targets at close range. The Shield's four-chambered autocannon fires shells that will detonate and expel 170 armor piercing tungsten coated projectiles at pre-set distance from the target. The Shield CIWS has a rate of fire of 200 rounds per minute when firing in burst mode, and a rate of fire of 1,000 rounds per minute when firing in full auotomatic. Additionally, four remote controlled weapon system (RCWS) equipped with 12.7mm machine guns are installed on the port and starboard sides of the ship to engage surface targets. The 12.7mm RCWS platforms are manufactured by Khuat Defense Systems and is used in its V2 Badger IFVs.
- Missiles & Rockets: all Endurance-class frigates are equipped with a single 32-cell vertical launching system that is capable of launching both surface-to-air missiles and anti-submarine rockets. Anti-surface cruise missiles are launched via two, four barrelled, launch tubes at the center of the center of the ship. With the exception of the cruise missile launch tubes, the adoption of a VLS platform allows the Endurance class to reduce the number of externally mounted missile launchers or tubes on the ship's hull which reduces its radar cross section. For anti-aircraft warfare Endurance-class ships are outfitted with AS-13 medium-range surface-to-air missiles with an operational range of 70km (43.5 mi). The ship's VLS is also capable of launching AW-10 anti-submarine rockets with a reported maximum range of 30km (18.6 mi). The AW-10 is comprised of two components: the rocket itself and a torpedo payload. When a target submarine is identified via the ship's mounted sonar or through its ASW helicopters, the rocket is launched in the general direction of the target submarine. Upon reaching a certain point the rocket releases its torpedo payload which, upon entry in the water, will activate the torpedo's guidance system using either active or passive sonar. For surface-to-surface combat ships are equipped with the AS-19 "Longbow" subsonic cruise missiles to engage both land and naval based surface targets. The AS-19 has a maximum operational range of up to 1,500km (930 mi) and is launched from two 4-barreled launchers, one from each port and starboard sides of the ship. Alternatively it can also be equipped with AS-21 "Rapier" supersonic cruise missiles. It has a maximum speed of Mach 4, travels at a speed of Mach 1.5 - 2 during its journey towards the target before eventually accelerating to its maximum speed in the terminal flight phase. It has a an operational range of 250km - 400km (160–250 mi; 130–220 nmi). Both the Longbow & Rapier cruise missiles are equipped with a secured data link system which can be utilized to change the missile's data mid-course. Additionally they are equiped with a active radar homing system allowing it to track targets auotonomously. The "Longbow" and "Rapier" cruise missiles are manufactured by Khuat Defense Systems and was originally launched from land-based silos or launchers. By default all Endurance-class frigates carry a minimum of eight cruise missiles.
- Torpedoes: The TP-9 is the standard ASW torpedo of the Daoan Navy and is found onboard all Endurance & Independence-class frigates. The TP-9 utilizes a pump-jet propulsion method, it is also quieter compared to its predecessor the TP-8 and is able to operate in depths up to 700 meters. The TP-9 is launched from two 3-barreled launchers located on both the starboard and port sides of the ship, providing the ship with a total of six TP-9 ASW torpedoes.
Sensors & Processing Systems
The key component of the Endurance’s sensor & processing system is the Protector Combat System (PCS), an integrated naval weapons system developed & produced by Mach Aerospace. The sensory & processing component of the PCS is composed of multiple sensors & processing systems working together to identify, track and neutralize threats towards the ship & fleet under its protection. The RAS35 AESA Block 1 S-band volume search multipurpose radar is a significantly improved version of the older RAS30 used on the Independence-class frigate. The RAS35 is comprised of four faced, non-rotating, active phased array panels that utilize AESA technology, designed to simultaneously provide air & surface surveillance, helicopter control and weapon control functions. In this sense it integrates the functions of surveillance and fire control radars into one system. The RAS35's four faces provide unrestricted coverage of the ship's area of operation and its sytem architecture allows simultaneous functionality at high update rates regardless of environmental conditions. It has a large search volume with high elevation coverage, detection of small targets such as sea-skimming missiles, fast attack crafts and unmanned aerial vehicles, rapid automation track initiation and theoretically a low false alarm rate. Like its predecessor, the RAS35 is capable of providing mid-course correction to airborne missiles. It has an instrumented detection range of up to 500 km for air, 100 km for surface targets, and is capable of tracking up to 80 surface and 850 air targets. The RAS35 installed on the Endurance-class would later be classified as the Block 1 sub-class when the TBD-destroyer class was developed and an improved version of the RAS35, the Block 2, was utilized for it. Endurance-classes are equipped with the LS-9 secondary surveillance radar (SSR) as a backup radar system. For anti-submarine warfare Independence-class frigates are equipped with hull-mounted SNR-360 active/passive sonar array developed by Khuat Systems.
Aviation & Hangar Facilities
Ships of the class are capable of supporting two medium sized helicopters, one positioned on the flight deck and one inside its hangar. The ship's enlarged size allows it to host up a mechanized or motorized infantry company (up to 150 personnel) when required alongside two landing crafts. If not outfitted for troop transport, the Endurance is able to host up to three small attack crafts. These capabilities allows the Endurance to not only participate in combat but to also project force and obscure a task force's composition to enemy forces. The ship's small well deck is comprised of a slope that allows the deployment of landing and attack crafts that is supported by machinery for the craft's egress and ingress processes.
Variants
| FSV 14020 FFM | FSV 14020 ASW | FSV 14030 AHR | FSV 14020 HDR | FSV 14020 OPF | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| User |  Lusoñan Navy |
TBD |  Daoan Navy |
TBD | TBD |
| Role | Guided Missile Frigate | Anti-Submarine Warfare | Amphibious Warfare | Humanitarian Aid & Disaster Relief | Offshore Patrol Frigate |
| Length | 139 meters | 139 meters | 145 meters | 139 meters | 139 meters |
| Beam | 19.6 meters | 19.6 meters | 25 meters | 19.6 meters | 19.6 meters |
| Draft | 5 meters | 5 meters | 7 meters | 5 meters | 5 meters |
| Displacement (full load) | 5,600 tons | 5,600 tons | 6,300 tons | 5,600 tonss | 5,600 tons |
| Main machinery | CODAG 2 x BSY 9D diesel engines, 4.8 MW (6,437 hp) each 2 x BSG 5A gas turbines, 18.5 MW (24,808 hp) each |
CODAG 2 x BSY 9D diesel engines, 4.8 MW (6,437 hp) each 2 x BSG 5A gas turbines, 18.5 MW (24,808 hp) each |
CODAG 2 x BSY 9D diesel engines, 4.8 MW (6,437 hp) each 2 x BSG 5A gas turbines, 18.5 MW (24,808 hp) each |
CODAG 2 x BSY 9D diesel engines, 4.8 MW (6,437 hp) each 2 x BSG 5A gas turbines, 18.5 MW (24,808 hp) each |
CODAG 2 x BSY 9D diesel engines, 4.8 MW (6,437 hp) each 2 x BSG 5A gas turbines, 18.5 MW (24,808 hp) each |
| Speed (cruising) | 20 knots | 20 knots | 20 knots | 24 knots | 24 knots |
| Speed (maximum) | 33 knots | 33 knots | 33 knots | 33 knots | 33 knots |
| Endurance | 6,500 nmi | 6,500 nmi | 7,100 nmi | 12,000 nmi | 12,000 nmi |
| Primary sensors | Protector Combat System RAS35 AESA Block 1 multifunction radar TK-4 fire control system Khuat Systems SNR-360 hull mounted active/passive sonar Khuat Systems Block 5 Electro-Optical Sighting System DSC GSS Datalink System United Defense GSS IFF System Khuat DSR-60 ESM |
Protector Combat System RAS35 AESA Block 1 multifunction radar TK-4 fire control system Khuat Systems SNR-78 towed array sonar Khuat Systems Block 5 Electro-Optical Sighting System DSC GSS Datalink System United Defense GSS IFF System Khuat DSR-60 ESM ESM |
Protector Combat System RAS35 AESA Block 1 multifunction radar TK-4 fire control system Khuat Systems SNR-360 hull mounted active/passive sonar Khuat Systems Block 5 Electro-Optical Sighting System DSC GSS Datalink System United Defense GSS IFF System Khuat DSR-60 ESM |
RAS29 PESA 3D Air & Surface Surveillance Radar RN/AD3 TACAN System Khuat Systems Block 4 Optical Sighting System DSC GSS Datalink System United Defense GSS IFF System |
RAS29 PESA 3D Air & Surface Surveillance Radar RN/AD3 TACAN System Khuat Systems Block 4 Optical Sighting System DSC GSS Datalink System United Defense GSS IFF System |
| Complement | 110 Crew 128 Passengers |
110 Crew 128 Passengers |
110 Crew 150 Passengers |
110 Crew 150 Passengers |
110 Crew 128 Passengers |
| Weapons | Guns 1 x KYC 76mm Naval Gun 4 x 12.7mm GS-9 RCWS 2 x Shield 35mm CIWS Missiles & Rockets 1 x 32-cell VLS equipped with: SA-13 surface to air missile AW-10 anti-submarine rocket 2 x 4-barreled AS-19 subsonic cruise missile launchers OR 2 x 4-barreled AS-21 supersonic cruise missile launchers Torpedoes 4 x 3-barrel TP-9 lightweight torpedo launchers |
Guns 1 x KYC 76mm Naval Gun 4 x 12.7mm GS-9 RCWS 2 x Shield 35mm CIWS Missiles & Rockets 1 x 32-cell VLS equipped with: SA-13 surface to air missile AW-10 anti-submarine rocket 2 x 4-barreled AS-19 subsonic cruise missile launchers OR 2 x 4-barreled AS-21 supersonic cruise missile launchers Torpedoes 4 x 3-barrel TP-9 lightweight torpedo launchers |
Guns 1 x KYC 76mm Naval Gun 4 x 12.7mm GS-9 RCWS 2 x Shield 35mm CIWS Missiles & Rockets 1 x 32-cell VLS equipped with: SA-13 surface to air missile AW-10 anti-submarine rocket 2 x 4-barreled AS-19 subsonic cruise missile launchers OR 2 x 4-barreled AS-21 supersonic cruise missile launchers Torpedoes 4 x 3-barrel TP-9 lightweight torpedo launchers |
Guns 1 x KYC 76mm Naval Gun 2 x 12.7mm GS-9 RCWS 4 x 12.7mm GS-82 crew-served Machine Gun 1 x Shield 35mm CIWS |
Guns 1 x KYC 76mm Naval Gun 2 x 12.7mm GS-9 RCWS 4 x 12.7mm GS-82 crew-served Machine Gun 1 x Shield 35mm CIWS |
| Equipment package |
3 x Helicopters (1 on deck, 2 in hangar) 2 x RHIB |
3 x ASW Helicopters (1 on deck, 2 in hangar) 2 x Unmanned Aerial Vehicles 2 x RHIB |
3 x Helicopters (1 on deck, 2 in hangar) 2 x Unmanned Aerial Vehicles 2 x RHIB 2 x Landing craft 4 x Amphibious AFV/APC |
3 x Helicopters (1 on deck, 2 in hangar 2 x RHIB 2 x Landing craft |
3 x Helicopters (1 on deck, 2 in hangar 2 x RHIB 2 x Assault Craft |
Ships in Class
| Pennant number | Name | Variant | Laid down | Launched | Commissioned | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daoan Congressional Republic Navy
| ||||||
| TTD-350 | TCD Hà Tuấn Minh | Amphibious Warfare | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | Active |
| TTD-351 | TCD Lâm Tuấn Khải | Amphibious Warfare | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | Active |
| TTD-352 | TCD Đào Tân Long | Amphibious Warfare | 2022 | 2023 | TBD | Under Construction |
| TTD-353 | TCD Ân Tuấn Khải | Amphibious Warfare | 2022 | 2023 | TBD | Planned |
| Lusoñan Republic Navy
| ||||||
| FFM-22 | BMRL Noe Nicdao | Guided Missile Frigate | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | Active |
| FFM-23 | BMRL Octavio Cunanan | Guided Missile Frigate | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | Active |
Operators
- The Daoan Navy currently operates two Endurance-class frigates in its fleet of the amphibious warfare variant, with plans to procure an additional two to support its target to becoming a navy with blue-water capabilities by 2026. The Daoan navy originally intended to procure two guided missile variants whose hulls were laid down in 2021 but due to a change in doctrine this requirement was changed. The two original guided missile variant hulls were instead diverted for the Lusonan navy when it joined the Kayatman Security Association and submitted a procurement request to the Daoan government for the acquisition of an initial two frigates.
- Following its entry to the Kayatman Security Association, the Lusoñan Republic Navy and Lusoñan government procurement officials approached Khuat Shipyards to acquire two frigates as part of its Modernization Plan. A memorandum of understanding was signed in late 2022, with two ships already under construction diverted to Lusoñan service. The two frigates were delivered in 2023, designated as the Noe Nicdao-class. The Lusoñan Republic Navy currently operates two Endurance-class guided missile frigates in its fleet, with an option to acquire two more in the future.