Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/1467328
speed - is expected to exceed 6,000 NM. The vessel is expec- ted to have a crew of 110, and be capable of providing space for 50 extra soldiers - staff personnel, or SOF. According to the information released by the tkMS, the distinct feature of the German design is its two superstructure „islands". The vessel features two „islands" that house duplicated engine rooms, and auxiliary engine rooms for power generation, damage control centers, and other relevant components. The said architectu- re also defines how the sensors are arranged. This means that the AESA arrays are placed in pairs, on the bow, and the stern superstructures. This step, along with the use of AESA fixed an- tenna arrays, increases the resilience of the vessel. The high levels of survivability are to be ensured by a set of tor- pedo countermeasures, including a towed decoy, self-propelled decoy launchers, and hard-kill systems utilizing light anti-torpe- does as an effector. Meanwhile, the active hull cooling system is the most spectacular element of the signature control sys- tem. It utilizes water nozzles spraying a mist that cools down the hull and makes it difficult to detect the vessel with the use of EO systems. The nozzles are also used for decontamination. Another relevant detail that boosts survivability is the dual CIC. old. The design accounts for modern trends in shipbuilding, and the contemporary battlespace requirements. The MEKO A300 vessel offered in the Miecznik program is the latest component of the German portfolio. The first information on that design emerged in early 2021, within the context of the Greek procurement process aimed at the acquisition of four new frigates. Ultimately, the German offer did not make it to the final four bids, among which the winning proposal was selected. This may also be the reason why the Greek procurement did not re- sult in a disclosure of numerous details pertaining to this design. We had to wait a bit for the MEKO A300 to step out of the sha- dows. The first information on the fact that the aforesaid design is offered in the Polish procurement emerged on August 6th, 2021. The details were disclosed in late September 2021. MEKO A300, in the variant offered to Poland, is to have a displa- cement of 5,800 tonnes. The vessel is to be 125.1 meters long, 19.25 meters wide, and it is to have a draft of 5.3 meters. Propul- sion would depend on the requirements defined by the Ordering Party. For the Polish Navy, we would be dealing with a CODAD configuration, utilizing diesel engines. The top speed has been defined as more than 27 knots, while the range - at economic www.fragoutmag.com