Flyvefisken Class Patrol Vessel - Containerised Weapon Systems

Containerised Weapon Systems

The Flyvefisken ships were constructed using an innovative modular design known as StanFlex: they have a standard hull in which containerised weapons or systems can be placed. This allows them to rapidly change roles, typically in 48 hours. This enables the ships to be configured to perform the following roles:

• Surveillance/pollution control
• Combat
• Mine countermeasures/minehunter (MCM)
• Minelayer

The containers measure 3.5 × 3 × 2.5 metres. One container goes on the foredeck; the other three go on the quarterdeck behind the superstructure and funnel. Furthermore the ships are built using the sandwich principle - a layer of fiberglass either side of a core of PVC cell foam. This forms the structure from keel to top of mast. This building method has reduces maintenance costs - so much so that 20 years on the new Diana and -Holm class have been built using the same materials.