A graphic of the Vanguard 130 on display at ST Engineering’s podium during IMDEX 2019. (ST Engineering)
The marine division of ST Engineering has unveiled the latest iteration of its Vanguard series of modular surface vessels.
Known as the Vanguard 130, the concept was introduced at the IMDEX 2019 marine and defence exhibition. It has been unveiled against the backdrop of requirements for a similar type of vessel from the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN).
The Vanguard 130 has optimised for unmanned vehicle operations, and features flushed doors on its port and starboards sides to support launch and recovery of remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs).
The vessel can be equipped with an ST Engineering-designed launch-and-recovery system (LARS) for rigid-hull inflatable boats (RHIBs) and unmanned surface vessels (USVs) known as the Q-LARS 2.0. Another in-house designed component that has been incorporated onto the Vanguard 130 is the integrated modular mast (IMM) system with reduced radar cross-section (RCS) features.
The Vanguard 130 can accommodate a 15-tonne helicopter, or rotary-winged unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) on its flight deck, and up to eight 20-foot containerised mission modules within its mission bay in the aft section, and a storage area amidships.
Weapons that can go onboard the Vanguard 130 include a vertical launching system (VLS) for anti-air missiles in the forward section, a 76 mm naval gun in the primary position, and launchers for anti-ship missiles amidships. The vessel can also be equipped with remote-controlled weapon system (RCWS) turrets on its bridge wings, and at various locations in the aft section.
ST Engineering officials Jane’s
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