Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/1150145
The first variant was presented in January 2000, well before the keel lay- ing ceremony. Starting at the bow, the weapons were to include: Bofors 57 Mark 2 cannon; 8-chamber Mark 41 VLS system in self-defense vari- ant, accommodating 32 ESSM Block 1 missiles; two quadruple Harpoon anti-ship missile launchers; two MU-90 Impact torpedo launchers em- bedded within the superstructure; and Mk 49 RAM missile-based air de- fense system, placed behind the chimney. The sensor set was to include: Saab Sea Giraffe 3D multi-functional radar; CRM-200 sea radar; and two combined Sting-EO radar/optical fire control systems. The above set was to be complemented by Breń EW suite, Jastrząb-2 decoy launchers and a hull-mounted sonar provided by an unspecified supplier. After the keel-laying ceremony, the equipment and armament set evolved. The configuration presented in 2002 included numerous changes. OTO Melara 76/62 Super Rapid became the main gun on the bow. ESSM mis- siles were still to be used as the anti-aircraft asset and, alongside, two Bofors ASW-610 anti-submarine mortars were to be arranged in front of the superstructure. Harpoon missiles were replaced with the Swedish RBS-15 Mk 2 or Mk 3 effectors. Smaller changes were introduced in the electronics domain, two Sting-EO systems were replaced with two Saab CEROS 200 solutions. Jastrząb-2 decoy launcher was to be replaced by the MASS system or by Mk-36 SRBOC solution. Towed torpedo decoy and towed sonar were the new elements in the equation. Considering the dimensions and displacement of the vessel the weap- ons and sensors set was quite impressive. Certainly, the procurement cost would also be high, especially when speaking of the missile sys- tems. It may be assumed that both reasons above had an impact on another redefinition of the equipment set. The 2009 configuration included the OTO Melara 76/62 Super Rapid gun, 16-chamber Mica-VL vertical launch system for short range missiles, two quadruple RBS-15 Mark 3 launchers, two triple MU-90 torpedo tubes and Mark 49 RAM close-in missile system. ESSM missiles, with a longer range, were replaced with Mica-VL effectors. The radars remained un- changed. However, it was specified that sonar equipment would include an under-keel sonar and a towed sonar array. The self-defense system was to include a SIGINT suite, laser warning receivers and Terma SKWS soft kill system with two DL-12T decoy launchers. This is the last configuration that Ślązak was to receive, should it be- come a multi-purpose corvette. The decision to transform it into an OPV made all of the aforesaid plans irrelevant. Ślązak now has a very modest weapons/sensors system at its disposal. The main gun is the 76 mm Oto Melara 76/62 Super Rapid cannon with rate of fire of 120 rounds per minute, being able to act against surface, land and, to a limited degree, airborne threats. The gun is complemented with two Marlin-WS with the 30 mm Bushmaster II guns that offer rate of fire of 200 rounds per minute. These systems have been supplied by Leonardo. Their purpose is to act against asymmetrical threats, such as fast boats. The very same threat can also be neutralized with four .50 cal. WKM-B machine guns. Four Grom MANPADS constitute the only an- ti-aircraft armament of Ślązak. The Grom operators can man distinctive basket-like stations, from which they can launch the missiles. Thales Nederland Smart-S Mark 2 is the primary radar. It is a well-known product of the Dutch company and it is commonly used on corvettes or light frigates. The radar features a single stabilized rotating antenna ar- ray providing azimuth scanning ability while elevation plane is scanned thanks to the electronically formed beam. Detection range is defined as 250 kilometers. Thales also delivered the STIR 1.2 EO Mk 2 fire control system. The sys- tem integrates a radar antenna and thermal/daylight camera and laser rangefinder. STIR has been placed in a standard position on the bridge roof in front of the bow mast, thus it covers the bow and side sectors. Thales Mirador sensor is the second system used for fire control purpos- es integrating the very same instruments as STIR, excluding the radar. NAVY