Future Surface Combatant (FSC)

Although the first unit is not expected to enter service until 2012 work began on a Future Escort (FE) in 1994. It was first envisaged as a general purpose frigate, specialising in anti-submarine warfare. However since then the emphasis has changed and in light of the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) it has developed more to reflect rapid reaction and global intervention and it is now known as the Future Surface Combatant (FSC). Up to 20 units are currently planned to replace the sixteen Type 23 and four Type 22 batch 3 frigates.

The initial concept investigation phase ended in August 1999 and a number of designs are under consideration. At present the favourite, and certainly most high profile, is a revolutionary trimaran design. A three hulled ship is seen to have numerous advantages over a conventional monohull design:

Less resistance and drag, resulting in faster speeds.
Greater stability in rough seas.
A larger surface area/deck, so more room for weapons, aircraft and the superstructure.
The increased stability and larger deck area mean that electronics, sonar, radar, etc can be placed higher up enabling better transmission and reception.

On 28th July 1998 the Defence Research & Evaluation Agency (DERA) placed an order with Southampton based shipbuilders Vosper Thornycroft to build a two-thirds scale trimaran demonstrator. This 97 metre long ship, named RV Triton, was launched at Vosper's Woolston Yard on 6th May 2000. Upon acceptance she is scheduled to spend the next few years undergoing a series of tests and trials to evaluate the performance and suitability of a trimaran design. The outcome of these will be crucial in determining weather a three hulled design is adopted for the Future Surface Combatant (FSC).

Failing the trimaran design a number of other options are under consideration. It has been suggested that the general design of the Type 45 Destroyer could be adapted for a general purpose variant, with emphasis on land attack as oppsoed to area air defence. There would be significant financial advantages in conver ting an existing design.

Whatever the design automation is sure to mean the complement will be small in size compared to that of other frigates, perhaps as low as a 100 . It is likely that the FSC will be powered by a Full Electric Propulsion System. It is also possible that it will be armed with Land Attack Missiles, probably the Tactical Tomahawk currently under development in the United States.

Note the large flight deck and two hangers.

Above: An artist's impression of the trimaran design. Note the large aft flight deck. In addition to being used for the Future Surface Combatant (FSC) the trimaran design could be used for patrol ships and minesweepers too.

Above: Another artists' impression of a trimaran FSC, seen operating a Merlin helicopter.

Above: The performance of RV Triton, seen here just after launching, will prove pivital to the design of the Future Surface Combatant (FSC) © Vosper Thornycroft 2000.

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