Dispersed Scalable Networked-Centric Naval Operations
BAE Systems has begun development of future naval ships by developing concepts for distributed air warfare system, which includes large command ships supported by scalable and smaller, autonomous or crewed vessels, and advanced modular warships like the Type 26 frigate. The company is focusing on technological integration, sustainable energy, AI-driven design, and modularity to create versatile, future-proof naval assets, naval experts said during a recent technical briefing in London.
Besides concepts such as increased automation and modularity, efforts to ensure affordability are also being taken which can interest export customers throughout the world including those in the Asian region.
The briefing revealed that three design variants have been developed by BAE Systems Naval Ships. The high-end version of the Air Warfare Combat Ship or AWCS is a 160-metre air warfare destroyer/light cruiser of around 10,000 tons. This is a large but conventional warship design, armed with up to 128 vertical launch system cells, directed-energy weapons, 57mm and 40mm guns.
The mid-sized 150-metre variant retains many of the same characteristics but places greater emphasis on automation, ease of manufacture and reduced crewing. A low-budget 130-metre option could also be offered if there is enough interest from smaller navies.
“The Type 26 will be the primary element of the Royal Navy and the Royal Norwegian Navy’s anti-submarine warfare capability well into the 2050s. With the ship’s versatile mission bay, the modernised Atlantic Combat Management System. Type 26 will be the battlespace integration hub for a distributed ASW capability, hosting a range of uncrewed systems and assimilating and assessing sensor data from a range of sources,” said Geoff Searle, director for future business and technology within BAE Systems Naval Ships which deals with campaigns and bids, concept designs, technology development and partnering for both the UK and international programmes.
“It’s designed to enable future capability upgrades with the ship’s digital systems and physical infrastructure designed with significant margins enabled to integrate and support increased lethality and the hosting and use of modular, uncrewed and off board systems, and that will ensure that new technologies and capabilities can be rapidly integrated,” Searle added.
He said, BAE Systems is a global defence and security business which can deliver advanced technologies and solutions. As the largest European defence business, BAE Systems can provide key technologies such as submarines, ships, naval guns and radar and electronic warfare to provide and deliver a complete integrated defence solution.
BAE systems is here in Bangkok to promote amongst others, its shipbuilding and naval systems capabilities and land systems equipment focusing on the battle-proven M777 lightweight towed 155mm howitzer for Thailand and possibly Vietnam as well as the rest of Southeast Asia.