There are many many many things wrong with LCS for USN let's put this way it would take too long to go through

Anyway it's just a suggestion. There could be many reasons why we shouldn't take it up either

IMDEX 2023: Singapore shares MRCV design details

4th May 2023 - 00:27 GMT | by Chen Chuanren in Singapore

Singapore's new Multi Role Combat Vessel is designed to be a 'mothership' for various types of uncrewed systems, the navy has revealed.

The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) has lifted the curtains on its Multi Role Combat Vessel (MRCV) design, sharing that it will be the first of its kind to be an ‘unmanned systems mothership’.

It has engaged Saab Kockums and Odense Maritime Technology (OMT) to provide the basic design by the end of 2023, before ST Engineering dives into detail in work 2024 as well as the construction phase.

The MRCV will replace six Victory-class missile corvettes, with the first vessel due for 2028 delivery.

The Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) remains the project manager and system integrator.

OMT is part of the team that presented the design for the Type 31 frigate, and is also responsible for the Danish Navy’s Iver Huitfeldt-class frigates, both between 5,700 and 6,600t.


Saab Kockums and Odense Maritime Technology (will provide the basic design by the end of 2023 with ST Engineering picking up detail work in 2024. (Image: MINDEF)

While the project remains to be in the design stage, Maj James Lim of the MRCV project office told Shephard the MRCV will be ‘a little larger’ than the frigates, which are 3,200t, and need to be stable enough to operate multiple uncrewed systems.

An Initial rendering also shows the MRCV with two stern ramps to deploy and retrieve large RHIB-sized craft.

The RSN has also already selected the OEMs for the self-defence suites (Thales, MBDA and Leonardo), without providing specifics.

Based on the RSN’s past requirements it is likely that the ship will be equipped with Leonardo’s 76mm main gun, 12.7mm Hitrole remote weapon systems, MBDA's Mica-VL or even the Aster-15/30 anti-aircraft missile, and a new Thales multi-function radar, likely the APAR or Sea Fire systems.

Naval news insists that full load displacement is 10000 tons.

More likely frigate class 3000 to 4000 ton.

..with completed design still being worked out..

Naval news insists that full load displacement is 10000 tons from its sources in SAAB i.e. with it's complement of helicopter, USVs, UUVS, UAVs, mission modules, etc. Whether or not RSN eventually makes reference to that or a lower tonnage figure is their prerogative. RSN seems uncomfortable to give a definitive figure but did say that it won't be bigger than the Endurance class lpd which is about 8500 to 9000 tons at full load.

Regardless, it is clear that the ship is way bigger than the Formidables and certainly more formidable. The current Iver stands at 6000+ to 7000 tons

It won't be the Vanguard 130/140 as confirmed by ST Engineering in the video which is >5000 ton ship. I always thought this design is too tight.

Do a side by side comparison with the Iver and you'd realise that the ship seems longer than the baseline Iver.

Parts to note:

1) Front of the ship has been extended/enlarged to accommodate the Slyver VLS launchers - shows 32 VLS but the space can accommodate around 48 launchers. The baseline Iver has space only for up to a 76mm gun - and space is tight.

2) Centre mission bay seems extended/enlarged and can accommodate more VLS launchers - at least 32 to 48 more VLS launchers.  Plus not 24 SSMs (likely more advanced variant of Blue Spear anti ship/land attack missiles) - I suspect at least 32 SSMs. Note: Formidable class centre mission bay can accommodate 24 SSMs.

3) helicopter deck is certainly extended/enlarged to accommodate the launching of helicopters and Uavs and USVs in the lower deck. The baseline Iver has a shorter helicopter deck.

they can be packed closer together

Nope

They can..

the highlighted section here is less than half a meter
you squeeze how also you won't squeeze another A-50 set in there

The Sea Serpent is designed to give a good stand off range. In its flight profile, it can achieve greater than 290 km in a low profile mode. It has an extensive capability against peer plus threats. But I can’t give details about its terminal phase on this unclassified forum. I can say that it is hugely exciting and the Royal Navy will be pleasantly surprised with the capabilities that we are offering

Move the current two rows of Slyver closer similar to how they are installed on the horizon class or charles de gualle - see my previous post. Add in the individual vl mica launch cannisters behind.

Beautiful picture of French Horizon class frigate

tight squeeze if at all possible - I'm still not sure
the MICA VL installation is not extremely compact
just one cell you see here measures approximately 36cm x 54cm minimum
as I showed you, the bit of gap between the two existing A-50 launchers is less than half a metre
and you can't take ALL of that space, there will always be a few cm here and there