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SNA 2016: Lockheed Martin Showcasing its LCS Frigate in Royal Saudi Navy Configuration

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SNA 2016 Show News - Lockheed Martin MMSC
 
 
 
SNA 2016: Lockheed Martin Showcasing its LCS Frigate in Royal Saudi Navy Configuration
 
By Xavier Vavasseur
At the Surface Navy Association's (SNA) National Symposium currently held near Washington DC, Lockheed Martin is showcasing for the first time a scale model representative of the MMSC (Multi-Mission Surface Combatant) being offered to the Royal Saudi Navy as part of a modernization program of the Saudi navy's eastern fleet called SNEP II (Saudi Naval Expansion Program)
     
At the Surface Navy Association's (SNA) National Symposium currently held near Washington DC, Lockheed Martin is showcasing for the first time a scale model representative of the MMSC (Multi-Mission Surface Combatant) being offered to the Royal Saudi Navy as part of a modernization program of the Saudi navy's eastern fleet called SNEP II (Saudi Naval Expansion Program)LCS Frigate / MMSC scale model in Royal Saudi Navy Configuration as showcased by Lockheed Martin during SNA 2016.
     
Back in October 2015, the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced via press release that the U.S. State Department gave its green light for a proposed sale to Saudi Arabia of four MMSC Ships, an export variant of Lockheed Martin's Freedom class LCS currently in use with the U.S. Navy.

The model on display at SNA 2016 features an Oto Melara 76mm main gun, 8 Harpoon anti-ship missiles (in two launchers), 2x8 MK41 VLS cells (on each side of the helicopter hangar), a SeaRAM on top of the hangar, two triple torpedo launchers and what looks like two Mk38 turrets. These probably just to give a notional idea of a remote weapon stations (RWS) since the DSCA release originally mentionned Nexter's Narwhal 20mm RWS.
     
At the Surface Navy Association's (SNA) National Symposium currently held near Washington DC, Lockheed Martin is showcasing for the first time a scale model representative of the MMSC (Multi-Mission Surface Combatant) being offered to the Royal Saudi Navy as part of a modernization program of the Saudi navy's eastern fleet called SNEP II (Saudi Naval Expansion Program)Close up view of some of the weapon systems arangement on the MMSC for the Royal Saudi Navy. Note the 8x Harpoon missiles, 16 Mk41 VLS and SeaRAM.
     
Two CEROS 200 radar and optronic tracking fire control director by Saab are also fitted: One forward (on top of the deck house) and the other one back aft, between the harpoon launchers and the SeaRAM system. A Lockheed Martin representative told Navy Recognition during the show that the aft mounted CEROS had to be elevated because the SeaRAM would block some of its field of view otherwise.

In terms of sensors, the Saudi Navy MMSC would be fitted with an Airbus D&S TRS-4D AESA Radar, a Variable Depth Sonar (likely Thales CAPTAS type), Saab Ceros 200 radar and optronic tracking fire control director, Argon ST WBR-2000 Electronic Support Measure and Threat Warning System. The combat management system is set to be similar to the one fitted onboard the Freedom class LCS: The COMBATSS-21 by Lockheed Martin.

Below the helicopter deck is a mission bay area that still has some built in modularity. There is space for a ramp launched RHIB and/or a variable depth sonar. A Lockheed Martin representative told us that the final design and configuration is still being worked on. Hull size and shape, propulsion system, power output, helicopter hangar etc remain unchanged compared to the U.S. Navy Freedom class LCS.