Image source: topwar.ru
The British company Steller Systems presented the concept of the "littoral strike ship" Fearless. The developer hopes that his proposed project will be of interest to the Royal Navy, which has launched the MRSS "multi-purpose support ship" program, which involves the purchase of a new class of compact but well-armed pennants capable of conducting amphibious operations.
Fearless with a length of 170 m at full load has a displacement of about 15.5 thousand tons and a capacity of about 800 linear meters (for comparison, for Bay-class landing craft it is 1200 cubic meters, and for an Albion-type landing helicopter dock ship 500 cubic meters).
Traditionally, landing craft are equipped with a stern ramp, while the "innovative inflatable descent and ascent system" (ILARS) offered by the Steller System allows the use of a stern ramp. It makes it possible to launch and lift vessels up to 20 m long and weighing up to 30 tons. These can be amphibious units and drones. Although this device is not as versatile as a flooded dock, it saves space and weight. Access to the deck can also be provided through additional side doors.
Image source: topwar.ru
The upper deck space is available to accommodate up to 5 TEU containers or additional weapon systems. The hangar can accommodate two Merlin-sized helicopters or a combination of helicopters and UAVs.
The propulsion system, combining conventional shaft systems and asipods, allows the ship to reach speeds of up to 30 knots, which is much faster than conventional landing craft. This speed will allow Fearless to quickly change positions to make raids in a wide theater of operations before landing. The ship can then quickly leave the threatened area to conduct other operations or to take on board the next landing force.
Image source: topwar.ru
Heavy weapons include two guns: the 127 mm Mk4 is responsible for shipboard fire support, while the 76 mm Super Rapid is a universal weapon of destruction that can also provide air defense and missile defense when using modern ammunition. In addition, there is a mine with an air defense system suitable for placing missiles of various functions. Short-range protection is represented by a 30 mm cannon, Phalanx CIWS and DragonFire LDEW installations. All this is complemented by the main radar, typical for frigates, and "soft defeat" systems [baits, jammers, curtains, and the like].
- noted in the British edition of Navy Lookout.
As indicated, the concept of a multi-purpose vessel will always be controversial, as many argue that it is better to build specialized ships rather than "jack-of-all-trades" who trade superiority in a specific area for operational flexibility.
