Distributed Surface Combat Concept - Radar Vessel

Sammanfattning

This thesis explores the possibility of replacing larger surface combatants, such as corvettes and frigates, with smaller, autonomous or semi-autonomous platforms, where each vessel carries only a limited portion of the overall system responsibility. The focus is on analyzing whether radar operations, which is to be considered a critical sensor function, can be effectively maintained on a smaller platform without compromising range, endurance, or survivability. By selecting relevant subsystems for the construction of a conceptual vessel, a comparison has been made with the Visby-class. The characteristics compared include hydrostatic stability and construction cost, with the aim of evaluating whether a smaller vessel with a specialized function can achieve comparable operational effectiveness at a lower cost. The vessel concept has been dimensioned based on several operational requirements: a minimum top speed of 15 knots, a range of 600 nautical miles at maximum speed, 30 days of patrol endurance at 5 knots, and a hull length shorter than the Visby-class’s 727 meters. The results show that a radar vessel with radar placement equivalent to that of the Visby-class, optimized equipment, and a shared hull platform can achieve comparable surveillance capability to that of modern corvettes, while potentially reducing production and operating costs. The conclusion is that a distributed surface combatant concept is technically feasible but requires further investigation into interoperability, communication, and operational integration.