ANATOMY OF A FRIGATE

PIONEER literally gets under the skin of the RSS Stalwart - one of the Republic of Singapore Navy's (RSN's) six stealth frigates - for this exclusive look at its inner workings. The ships are equipped with a state-of-the-art combat suite that allows it to deal with threats from the surface, air and underwater.

Technical Specifications

Length
114 metres

Beam
16 metres

Displacement
3,200 tonnes

Speed
more than 25 knots

Range
more than 3,500 nautical miles

Crew
71 + 19 air detachment

Sonar

Active Low Frequency Towed Sonar system enables detection of enemy submarines at an extended range. The frigate's anti-surface and anti-submarine capabilities are augmented by the Sikorsky S-70B naval helicopters which pack a comprehensive radar-sonar suite and Whitehead torpedoes.



Machinery Control Room

Where the frigate's marine, electrical and control systems experts and engineers control the ship's machinery and generators when the ship is at sea.



Torpedoes

Triple-tube 324mm torpedo launchers armed with Whitehead A244/S lightweight torpedoes that have ranges in excess of 6km. These are the frigate's main weapons against submarines.



Harpoon missiles

Boeing Harpoon surface-to-surface missiles are the frigate's long-range anti-ship missiles which can hit targets over 100km away.



Combat Information Centre

War-fighting nerve centre of the ship which enables the frigate to handle threats and manage key enablers such as technology and automation.



Multi-functional Radar

The Thales Herakles Multi-Functional Radar is a phased-array system which provides three-dimensional surveillance, detection and tracking of both air and surface targets. This is complemented by the ship's closed design which gives it a low radar cross-section signature and increased survivability.



Bridge

This is where the ship is steered and navigated. Unlike older ships, the frigate is piloted using state-of-the-art technology and is steered via joystick.



Aster missiles

Surface-to-air missiles, with a range of 30km, that are used for self-defence and the protection of ships operating together with the frigate against aircraft and missile attacks.



Oto-Melara Super Rapid Gun Mount

Receives primary targeting information from an electro-optical system on board. This is the same 76mm gun that is fitted onboard the RSN s Missile Corvettes, Patrol Vessels and Landing Ships Tank. It has a range of 16km and can fire 120 rounds per minute.