The RSS Steadfast (70) is a highly advanced and modern navy frigate in service with the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN). Certainly with the expansion of Chinese naval power in the Asian-Pacific region, vessels such as the Steadfast play a large role in containment and deterrence all the while defending national shores and maritime lines. One of the key design features of the ship is its very stealthy appearance, which does away with much of the traditional "detail" as found on conventional vessels and, instead, sports clean lines and fine contouring throughout. Additionally, the warship packs the latest in technological systems and weaponry to allow it to counter most any threat at sea.
The RSS Steadfast (70) therefore became the third ship of the six-strong Formidable-class line of fighting frigates for the Singaporean Navy. Sister ships now include the RSS Intrepid (69), the RSS Tenacious (71), the RSS Stalwart (72) and the RSS Supreme (73) with the first pair commissioned in 2008 and the second pair in 2009. The RSS Steadfast herself was launched on January 28th, 2005 and officially commissioned on February 5th, 2008, alongside the RSS Intrepid and the RSS Tenacious. The six vessels make up the 185th Squadron within the Republic of Singapore Navy and supply a potent arm to the small nation's naval reach.
The design or the Steadfast exudes technological advantages in both its internal and external selections. The vessel is very clean and sports finely tuned surfaces throughout. There are no noticeable guard rails along the edges of the deck and the superstructure and armament bays are all housed under angled surfacing. There is a deck gun mount at the bow and a helipad at the stern complete with a full internal hangar area. The sides of the vessel are contoured in such a way that they integrate cleanly into the superstructure sides. The bridge is set forward of amidships while a sensor mast is fitted as part of the low-profile smoke funnel. The overall design is intended as a radar cross-section counter in much the same was as stealth aircraft are engineered. Construction is largely of steel. The RSS Steadfast is home to an operational crew of 71 officers and sailors as well as a small detachment of 19 aircrew to manage any onboard helicopters.
There is a complete hangar available at the stern of the Steadfast's design which can house up to two naval helicopters as needed. Typically, the Singaporean Navy will fit a single American Sikorsky S-70B Seahawk system, essentially the militarized export version of the hugely successful Black Hawk series and modified for the rigors of at-sea operations. The helicopter is multi-mission in its design and can be used to ferry passengers or cargo, resupply the vessel, participate in special operations, retrieve fallen airmen or scout for enemy warships and submarines.
In terms of onboard processing systems, the Steadfast is stocked with a French Thales Herakles multifunction search radar as well as a Danish Terma Electronic Scanter 2001 navigational radar. Sonar is handled through an EDO Model 980 active low frequency towed array. Electronic warfare is managed through the Israeli RAFAEL C-PEARL-M suite. The French-based Sagem Defense Securite system handles decoys from two forward and one stern launcher. Frigates such as the Steadfast are intended to operate alongside other vessels and aircraft for maximum effectiveness when dealing with potential or certain threats.
The Steadfast is a conventionally powered surface ship and, as such, makes use of diesel turbines. The type is powered by 4 x MTU 20V 8000 M90 series engines, each rated with an output of 12,200 shaft horsepower, totaling an impressive 48,800 shaft horsepower combined. This supplied the vessel with a top speed of 27 knots in ideal conditions and an operational range of 4,200 nautical miles before a refuel is required.
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Offshore Bombardment
Offshore bombardment / attack of surface targets / areas primarily through onboard ballistic weaponry.
Land-Attack
Offshore strike of surface targets primarily through onboard missile / rocket weaponry.
Maritime Patrol
Active patroling of vital waterways and maritime areas; can also serve as local deterrence against airborne and seaborne threats.
Airspace Denial / Deterrence
Neutralization or deterrence of airborne elements through onboard ballistic of missile weaponry.
Fleet Support
Serving in support (either firepower or material) of the main surface fleet in Blue Water environments.
376.7 feet (114.82 meters) Length
53.5 feet (16.31 meters) Beam
19.7 feet (6.00 meters) Draught
3,530 tons Displacement
4 x MTU 20V 8000 M90 diesel engines developing 12,200 horsepower with 4 x ISM V1708 diesel generators delivering 4,610 horsepower to 2 x Shafts in COmbined Diesel And Diesel (CODAD) arrangement. Propulsion
1 x 76mm Oto Melara Super Rapid cannon
8 x RGM-84C Harpoon anti-ship missiles
32 x DCNS Sylver A50 32-cell Vertical Launch System (VLS) for MBDA Aster 15/30 anti-aircraft missiles.
2 x triple torpedo tube launchers for A244/S Mod 3 torpedoes.
4 x 12.7mm CIS 50MG heavy machine guns
1 x Sikorsky S-70B Seahawk helicopter
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