Rauma Class Fast Attack Crafts

Four modernised Rauma Class Fast Attack Crafts (FACs) are in service with the Finnish Navy. Image courtesy of Mike Banzhaf, U.S. Navy.

The Rauma Class Fast Attack Crafts (FACs) have been extensively renovated between 2013 and 2014 under approximately €70m ($96m) upgrade programme. Image courtesy of Tomisti.

A Rauma Class fast attack craft sails alongside the Ticonderoga class guided missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG 72) in the Baltic Sea during BALTOPS (Baltic Operations) 2003 maritime exercise. Image courtesy of Michael Sandberg, U.S. Navy.

A close view of Bofors 40mm gun aboard Rauma Class Fast Attack Craft, FNS Raahe (71).

The newly refurbished Rauma Class Fast Attack Crafts (FACs) are in service with the Finnish Navy. Four vessels were built by Hollming yards and Finnyards (now STX Finland) between 1990 and 1992. The Rauma Class is succeeded by Hamina Class missile boats.

Rauma Class ships are operated by the Archipelago Sea Naval Region 6 Missile Squadron and are home-ported at Pansio naval base in Turku, Finland. The vessels can conduct air and surface surveillance, anti-submarine warfare (ASW), and maritime protection.

The first vessel in class, the FNS Rauma (70), was commissioned in October 1990 and was followed by FNS Raahe (71), which entered in to service in August 1991. The third and last vessels, FNS Porvoo (72) and FNS Naantali (73) were commissioned in April and June 1992 respectively.

Rauma Class upgrade programme

The Finnish Navy placed an approximately €70m ($96m) contract with Patria for the upgrade of four Rauma Class fast attack crafts in mid-2010. The upgrade allows the boats to remain in service until 2020 and also ensures them to meet the modern requirements of the Finnish Navy.

The modernisation of four vessels began in Fall 2010 and was completed at the end of 2013. Patria officially delivered the fast attack boats to the Finnish Navy by March 2014.

The combat management system of the vessels was completely enhanced and integrated with the existing weapons and sensors aboard the boats. The navigation, sonar and anti-submarine warfare systems were completely upgraded under the programme.

Subcontractors involved in the upgrade programme were Saab, Western Shipyard, Kongsberg Maritime, Furuno Finland, Ab Marinel and Valmarine.

Rauma Class design and features

The Rauma Class boats incorporate an all-aluminium hull and have less acoustic, magnetic, heat and radar signatures. The lightweight and agile crafts deliver superior sea-going performance.

The vessel has a length of 48m, beam of 8m and draught of 1.5m. Each boat can complement a crew of 24 personnel and has a displacement of 240t.

Weapon systems aboard the fast attack craft

The main gun fitted on the bow deck is a Bofors 40mm L/70. It can protect the vessel from hostile craft, aircraft, anti-ship missiles and shore based threats. The attack craft are also fitted with two NSV 12.7mm machine guns.

Six RBS-15 (Finnish designation: MTO85M) long-range anti-ship missiles aboard the Rauma Class can attack enemy warships and land targets. The missile has a speed of 0.9 Mach and range of over 200km. The ASW capability is provided by Saab ELMA ASW-600 mortars. Depth charges can be fitted to the vessels for destroying hostile submarines.

Sensors and radars of Rauma Class

The Rauma Class is integrated with Saab CEROS 200 radar and optronic tracking system, Sea Giraffe 9GA 208 Surface search radar, Raytheon ARPA navigation radar, and ST2400 Variable Depth Sonar (VDS).

The onboard sensors and weapon systems are interfaced with Saab 9LV225 Mk4 Combat Management System (CMS). The vessels are also fitted with Rheinmetall MASS (Multi Ammunition Softkill System) for protection against advanced sensor-guided missiles.

Propulsion

Rauma class missile boats are powered by two MTU 16V 538 TB93 main engines driving two Riva waterjets. The engines develop a maximum combined power output of 6,600kW. The vessels feature upgraded Integrated Alarm, and Monitoring and Control System (IAMCS) for monitoring and controlling onboard main machinery systems.

The waterjet propulsion system ensures high manoeuvrability and functionality even in shallow waters. The propulsion system ensures the vessels to cruise at a maximum speed of 30kt.

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