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Future Frigate eXperimental (FFX) or Incheon Class frigates are new coastal defence frigates being developed for the Republic of Korea Navy. The ships will be built by Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) and Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME).
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The Incheon Class frigates can be deployed in multirole operations such as coast patrol, anti-submarine warfare and transport support.
The Republic of Korea Navy placed an order with Hyundai Heavy Industries for the construction of the first FFX vessel in December 2008. The lead ship in class, Incheon, was launched in April 2011. The frigate is expected to be delivered by the end of 2012.
Future Frigate eXperimental (FFX) programme
The FFX programme is intended to replace the ageing fleet of Ulsan Class frigates and Pohang Class corvettes with next generation multimission frigates. The new frigates will be equipped with anti-air defence and helicopter landing capabilities.
The FFX vessels will be built in two batches with an objective of putting up to 15 ships into service by 2020. The first ship of the second batch will be built by DSME.
RENK and Rolls-Royce were contracted to supply the propulsion systems respectively for the first and second batches.
Design features of Incheon Class vessels
The Incheon Class frigate incorporates a stealth hull design to reduce acoustic and infrared signatures. The vessel has an overall length of 114m, width of 14m and a depth of 25m. The standard displacement of the ship is 2,300t. It can accommodate a crew of 145 to 170.
Command and control of FFX frigates
The command and control system of the FFX is the Samsung Thales NS ICMS (Naval Shield Integrated Combat Management System). The combat system integrates the onboard sensors, weapons and fire control systems.
It performs target detection, tracking, threat assessment and weapon control functions simultaneously for conducting efficient combat operations in various engagement scenarios.
Incheon Class weapon systems
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Type 053H3 / Jiangwei II Class Frigates
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The Incheon Class is armed with a SSM-700K Hae Sung (Sea Star) long-range anti-ship missile. The Hae Sung can strike targets within a range of 150km. The Hyunmoo IIIC cruise missiles fitted on the frigate offer a land attack capability to the Incheon Class.
The main gun fitted forward is the 127mm/L62 Mk 45 Mod 4 naval gun. The gun can fire 16 to 20 rounds a minute to an effective range of 24km. The close-point defence is provided by a Phalanx 20mm CIWS (close-in weapon system) and RIM-116B Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) 21-round launcher.
An Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) capability is provided by K745 Chung Sang Eo (Blue Shark) torpedoes. The Blue Shark can attack submarines located within a range of 19km.
Sensors / radars and countermeasures
The sensor suite consists of tracking radar, navigation radar, Thales Smart-S Mk2 Smart-S Mk2 3D medium to long-range surveillance radar, sonar, identification friend or foe (IFF) system and long-range electro-optical targeting system (EOTS).
The countermeasures are provided by a LIG Nex1 SLQ-200K Sonata electronic warfare suite and a KDAGAIE Mk2 decoy launching system.
Helicopter handling system of Incheon Class frigates
The FFX frigates have an aft helicopter deck to support the operations of a Super Lynx or SH-60 Seahawk helicopter. The frigate is equipped with an enclosed hangar facility to accommodate up to two medium-lift helicopters.
Propulsion of the South Korean vessels
The first batch of FFX frigates are powered by RENK CODOG (combined diesel or gas turbine) propulsion systems.
The propulsion units are supplied by DOOSAN Heavy Industries, the prime contractor of the propulsion gear for the FFX. Each vessel in the second batch will be equipped with a single MT30 gas turbine delivering a power output of 36MW to 40MW. MT30 is the most powerful marine gas turbine in the world.
The propulsion system provides a maximum speed of 30kt and a cruising range of about 8,000km to the Incheon Class frigates.
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