Testing the waters : THE HINDU + PIB :
India’s latest guided missile destroyer ‘Mormugao’ slides into the Arabian Sea during its launch at the Mazagaon Docks in Mumbai on Saturday. The warship will undergo various tests before its commissioning in 2020.
Designed by : Directorate of Naval Design, New Delhi.
Designed under : Project 15B : 4 ships will be built.
RELEVANCE ? These ships are amongst the most technologically advanced Guided Missile Destroyers of the world, with state-of-the-art weapon/sensor package, advanced stealth features and a high degree of automation.
HOW ADVANCED?
With a displacement of 7300 tons, each ship will span 163 meters in length and 17.4 meters at the beam. These ships will be propelled by four gas turbines in Combined Gas and Gas (COGAG) configuration and are capable of achieving speeds in excess of 30 knots with a maximum endurance of 4000 nm.
These ships can truly be classified as possessing a Network of Networks,
as they are equipped with
Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS)= control and monitoring of machinery and auxiliaries.
Ship Data Network (SDN) =information highway on which data from all the sensors and weapons ride.
Automatic Power Management System (APMS) =power management.
Combat Management System (CMS) = performs threat evaluation and resource allocation based on the tactical picture compiled and ammunition available onboard.
Stealth has been a major thrust area in P15B design = Multiple Fire Zones, Total Atmospheric Control System (TACS) for Air Conditioning, Battle Damage Control Systems (BDCS), Distributional Power Systems and Emergency DA to enhance survivability and reliability in emergent scenarios.
The ship’s “fire power” consists of sophisticated weapons-sensor suite including vertically launched Surface to Air Missiles (SAM) and Surface-to-Surface Missiles (SSM) for long distance engagement of shore and sea based targets.
WHAT IT MEANS FOR OUR NATION ? These ships therefore showcase the Nation’s growing capability in developing and delivering complex warships, which serves as a true hall mark of self reliance attained by our country in warship design and construction. This high level of indigenization has been achieved through participation of both public and private sector.
