View non-flash version
April 2011www.sname.org/sname/mt Another useful feature of the OPVs is the aft cargo deck. A xed-boom hydraulic crane is provided on the aft deck and there is sucient space for stowage of three 20 ft. con- tainers. e containers can be used to carry modular mission payloads or a wide range of other mission-related stores and equip- ment. Another example of the exibility of the design is the ability to stow two large 12 m RHIBs for use by an embarked force. In total, the OPVs have accommoda- tions for 79 personnel. Of these, 45 of the berths are for the ships crew (including 10 flight crew) and the remaining 34 berths are for trainees, staff from other govern- ment departments, or embarked forces. e accommodations were built to a rela- tively high commercial standard typical of oshore service vessels as opposed to the standard of naval ships, and this ensures good habitability and crew comfort com- pared to conventional naval vessels. Because the OPVs will only be employed in a relatively low-threat envi- ronment, the vessels have limited military features in order to reduce cost. e vessels possess a 25 mm gun located on a super- structure deck forward that can be used to engage surface or air targets, and 50 caliber machine guns are mounted on the bridge wings port and starboard. Standard com- mercial marine radars and electronic chart display and information systems are used for surveillance and navigation. Military tactical radios and secure satellite wide area network data links were installed in order for the ships to carryout joint naval operations. For night surveillance, the ships are fitted with an infrared electro optical surveillance system. Automation and control The OPVs have a relatively high level of automation and can operate with an unat- tended machinery space. e ships have a PC-based, networked integrated platform management system (IPMS) that enables the engineers to monitor and control the machinery plant from anywhere in the ship. e IPMS can also be used for dam- age assessment and control as well as enable the ships to be operated with a smaller crew than what would normally be found on a typical naval ship. Otago and Wellington have proven to be highly capable in carrying out their mission to protect New Zealands EEZ. e innovative use of commercial o the shelf equipment and shipbuilding standards has resulted in two very cost-eective coastal patrol vessels. By building these vessels, the New Zealand Navy has freed its Anzac frig- ates from routine patrol missions to execute more militarily demanding operations. e OPVs have proved to be less expensive to operate because they consume less fuel and require fewer personnel than the frigates. As STXM develops new OPV designs around the world, we find that our biggest challenge is overcoming the navy mind- set that patrol ships require advanced weapon and radar systems and should be built to military standards even if they have non-combatant roles. As naval budgets come under increasing strain due to spiraling ship construction cost, the cost effectiveness and operational effectiveness of New Zealand OPVs are attracting interest from countries all around the world as a means to reduce cost for coastal patrol missions. MTDan McGreer is principal engineer and manager of ad- vanced analysis at STX Canada Marine. Fitted with a ?ight deck and hangar for the navys Seasprite SH2G helicopter, Wellington can conduct helicopter operations in conditions up to sea state 5.