Type 31 Frigate (Inspiration Class) [News Only]

Contains threads on Royal Navy equipment of the past, present and future.

What will be the result of the 'Lighter Frigate' programme?

Programme cancelled, RN down to 14 escorts
52
10%
Programme cancelled & replaced with GP T26
14
3%
A number of heavy OPVs spun as "frigates"
127
25%
An LCS-like modular ship
22
4%
A modernised Type 23
24
5%
A Type 26-lite
71
14%
Less than 5 hulls
22
4%
5 hulls
71
14%
More than 5 hulls
103
20%
 
Total votes: 506

Caribbean
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Re: Type 31 General Purpose Frigate [News Only]

Post by Caribbean »

A planar array simply means a flat two-dimensional array of antennas. In our context it implies that each element is the same , i.e. that each element has a phase shifter, as opposed to (say) a linear array where each row of elements are controlled by a single phase shifter. I don't think that you can extrapolate from that to say that they all fed from a single source, only that each element is an antenna in its own right.

The point that seems most important to me is that the modules used GaAs technology, not needed for a PESA type radar, where a standard klystron can be used to generate the signal, but essential for AESA, where the signal has to be generated by the TR module itself. That and the statement ""Linked to a powerful digital computer the MESAR planar phased array becomes active".

Take your time to read the linked document - it says in multiple places that the modules are individual transmitter-receiver units, which is not PESA
The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.
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NickC
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Re: Type 31 General Purpose Frigate [News Only]

Post by NickC »

Think Thales will supply their digital Vigile Radar Electronic Support Measures (R-ESM), to detect multiple signals simultaneously across a wide frequency range with 100% multi-signal probability detection. Vigile DPX used on T45, just this month Thales won contract from Dutch Navy for Vigile D. [T45 also fitted with Shaman, HMS Defender had first system installed last year, the Boeing AN/SSQ-130(V) Ship Signal Exploitation Equipment (SSEE) Increment F cryptologic exploitation system (automatic target acquisition, geo-location, and non-kinetic fires capabilities) seven systems bought for $90M]

Have seen no mention of a jammer/ECM for the T31.

PS Thales France developing new ALTESSE-H high-grade CESM (Communications ESM) and COMINT (Communications Intelligence) for the new FTI, similar to the AN/SSQ-130(V) ?

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Re: Type 31 General Purpose Frigate [News Only]

Post by Ron5 »

I've been keeping my eye open for a picture showing the RN configuration of the winning bid. All I have found is one on p9 in the latest Desider magazine. I would show it here but I get an error message trying to attach it.

Does anyone know of any others?

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shark bait
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Re: Type 31 General Purpose Frigate [News Only]

Post by shark bait »

Good spot Ron! I don't think I've seen this yet either. We can spot the difference;

New
Image

Old
Image
@LandSharkUK

Repulse
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Re: Type 31 General Purpose Frigate [News Only]

Post by Repulse »

Looks like 12 SeaCeptor VLS tubes to me... the let down begins.
”We have no eternal allies, and we have no perpetual enemies. Our interests are eternal and perpetual, and those interests it is our duty to follow." - Lord Palmerston

Poiuytrewq
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Re: Type 31 General Purpose Frigate [News Only]

Post by Poiuytrewq »

Repulse wrote:Looks like 12 SeaCeptor VLS tubes to me...the let down begins.
I know some are pinning their hopes on spiral development......lets hope the spiral begins developing rapidly.

jonas
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Re: Type 31 General Purpose Frigate [News Only]

Post by jonas »

Yes the mushrooms have gone, and if those as they look are single cell silo's then we are indeed on the slippery slope. Though I doubt whether even this is the final design, as they are now in talks as to what this will be. Let's hope it is something even slightly more capable.

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Tempest414
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Re: Type 31 General Purpose Frigate [News Only]

Post by Tempest414 »

It could be 4 sets of triple EXLS silo's can't see it unless more money is dropped in but if it is that would take the CAMM count to 48 which would be a big step up

Repulse
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Re: Type 31 General Purpose Frigate [News Only]

Post by Repulse »

jonas wrote:Yes the mushrooms have gone
The image isn’t clear to my eye as they could still be mushrooms like in the Leander images.

Image
”We have no eternal allies, and we have no perpetual enemies. Our interests are eternal and perpetual, and those interests it is our duty to follow." - Lord Palmerston

donald_of_tokyo
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Re: Type 31 General Purpose Frigate [News Only]

Post by donald_of_tokyo »

Repulse wrote:Looks like 12 SeaCeptor VLS tubes to me... the let down begins.
Agree, looks like 12 CAMM. Interesting.
Not sure it is "critical" or not, but it does show how limited the resource is (with no surprise).

#Any more of my arguments will move to escort thread...

Aethulwulf
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Re: Type 31 General Purpose Frigate [News Only]

Post by Aethulwulf »

From Jane's....

Sea change: Type 31 frigate decision sets a new course for UK naval procurement

The UK’s decision to select an industry team led by Babcock as preferred bidder for the Royal Navy’s Type 31 frigate programme has marked a significant change in naval acquisition policy and practice. Richard Scott reports

Following an accelerated competition, culminating in a fast-track evaluation of design and build proposals, the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) on 12 September confirmed that an industry team led by Babcock – proposing the Arrowhead 140 design – has been selected as preferred bidder to deliver the Royal Navy’s (RN’s) Type 31 frigate programme.

The two parties are now working to finalise a contract award for five ships before the end of this year.

Detailed design work for Type 31 will start immediately, according to Babcock, with manufacturing to follow from 2021 until 2027. The first ship is scheduled for launch in 2023, with entry into service expected by 2025.

Babcock’s winning Arrowhead 140 design – developed in conjunction with Thales, OMT and BMT under the banner of Team 31 – is based on the Iver Huitfeldt-class frigate platform already in service with the Royal Danish Navy. Captain Steve Prest, the RN’s Type 31 programme director, said that the decision in favour of the Arrowhead 140 was based on key criteria of “adaptability, capability, and deliverability”.

He added, “We haven’t achieved absolutely everything we wanted, or got there in the way we had originally expected. But what we have got is a very good 80% solution with significant growth potential going forward.”

The preferred bidder decision, coming almost exactly two years since the UK’s National Shipbuilding Strategy was published, marks a substantial break from recent complex warship acquisitions. The National Shipbuilding Strategy set out a new operating model designed to strengthen programme governance, inject competitive pressure, and improve industrial performance.

In the case of Type 31, this has seen the MoD – through Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) – and the RN pursue a mould-breaking procurement strategy which, while not without its own challenges, has produced a decisive outcome far quicker than standard acquisition practice would allow. That strategy has seen DE&S taking a ‘pace and grip’ approach in its engagement with the three bidders in order to maintain the tempo of the programme.

A taut budget and an ambitious delivery schedule served as a ‘forcing function’ to compel the rival teams, led by Atlas Elektronik UK, Babcock, and BAE Systems, to think differently about the design-and-build process. At the outset of the programme, the MoD laid out the target to build a class of five ships for a fixed price of GBP1.25 billion (USD1.55 billion), with the aim for the first to be delivered off contract by the end of 2023, and the last in 2028.

These twin precepts drove all three to base their bids on the adaptation of proven parent designs and combat system solutions – including some with overseas origins – so as to reduce risk, compress detailed design, manufacturing activity, and derive the most cost-efficient commercial solution. Given the fixed budget, the big challenge for DE&S and the RN was how to weight the different evaluation criteria.

Another novel aspect of the acquisition strategy was to promote a whole-ship procurement model with minimum mandated systems or government-furnished assets/information (GFX), with the Sea Ceptor anti-air missile system, electronic support measures, and soft-kill decoy launch system being the principal exceptions. As a consequence, the rival bidders were largely free to make their own choices with regard to major platform, power and propulsion, and mission system equipment.

The user requirements set was purposely focused on providing a capability to maintain an enduring and continuous maritime security presence, support defence engagement, and contribute to humanitarian aid/disaster relief operations. This has conditioned a ship that will predominantly operate in low-threat conditions, but must also deliver credible offensive and defensive capabilities to deter aggression, survive attacks, and provide reassurance.

A further aim of the Type 31 competition was to produce a UK-owned ship design that would be attractive in overseas markets, and support UK prosperity. This was to be enabled by a common adaptable hull, and an open architecture and standards to facilitate export customisation.

In selecting the Arrowhead 140, the MoD has opted for a design that is significantly larger than the two rival bids. This brings advantages in regard to superior seakeeping, enlarged operating envelopes for sea boats and organic aviation, improved habitability, optimised support access, extended range/endurance, and increased margins for through-life adaptation and growth.

The combat system baseline proposed by Babcock and Thales reflects the accent on good above-water situational awareness, and firepower commensurate with the focus on maritime security. Thales, as combat system integrator, is taking responsibility for integration and delivery of the mission system, including sensors, countermeasures and communications.

At the core of the Arrowhead 140 mission system is the TACTICOS Baseline 2 combat management system (CMS). Developed by Thales Nederland in Hengelo, the latest TACTICOS Baseline 2 CMS retains the existing and proven OpenSPLICE DDS infrastructure but introduces a series of hardware and software enhancements. These include a new workflow-oriented human machine interface providing an increased level of operator support, the latest MOC Mk 4 multifunction console, and a collaboration wall (featuring a number of large-screen displays mounted on the bulkhead of the operations room).

Thales will deliver the Type 31 mission system from a UK Combat System Centre of Excellence being established in Crawley: A user-experience facility set up at the company’s Bristol office – including a workstation display, MOC Mk 4 console, and a dual-screen collaboration wall – has already been used to provide scenario demonstrations to MoD and RN personnel.

As regards prime sensors, Thales has baselined its NS100 E/F-band dual-axis multibeam surveillance radar. The NS100 combines an electronically stabilised, mechanically rotating antenna with an active electronically scanned array able to generate beams simultaneously in both elevation and azimuth.

Another system featuring in Type 31 renders released by Babcock is the Thales Gatekeeper electro-optical ship surveillance system. Gatekeeper combines infrared (IR) and TV imaging to provide 24/7 panoramic surveillance, identification and threat alert in the surface domain. Four sensor heads, each consisting of three uncooled IR cameras and three colour TV cameras, are fitted into the corners of the mast structure.

Although Babcock and Thales have not publicly revealed the proposed weapon fit, Jane’s understands that, aside from the Sea Ceptor silo amidships, the Type 31 is set to feature a single BAE Systems 57 Mk 3 57mm gun (mounted forward), and two BAE Systems 40 mm Mk 4 guns (installed ahead of the bridge and above the hangar). The logic here is that both the 57 Mk 3 and 40 Mk 4 use smart 3P pre-fragmented, programmable, proximity- fused) ammunition, affording excellent performance against both fast inshore attack craft, and a range of conventional and asymmetric air threats.

Alternative renders released by Babcock show arrangements with either the Thales Mirador Mk 2 electro-optical tracking and fire-control system or the STIR EO Mk 2 radar/electro-optical fire control director (mountings positioned fore and aft in both cases). The Mirador Mk 2 is the current baseline, but Jane’s has been told that the adoption of the more capable – and expensive – STIR EO Mk 2 for Type 31 has not yet been ruled out at this stage.

Raytheon Anschütz has been publicly confirmed as the first major sub-supplier to Babcock with the announcement that the company will deliver its Warship Integrated Navigation and Bridge System (WINBS) to meet the Type 31 integrated navigation and bridge system requirement. WINBS expands on the core Type 26 navigation and bridge system design, using the Raytheon Anschütz IMO-compliant SYNAPSIS Integrated Bridge architecture combined with tactical features.

Babcock’s shipbuilding plan had originally envisaged manufacturing activities being shared out between Babcock at Rosyth, the Harland and Wolff yard in Belfast, and Ferguson Marine Engineering on the lower Clyde, with assembly taking place at a central integration site at Rosyth.

However, with Harland and Wolff in administration, and Ferguson taken into public ownership after suffering significant cost and schedule overruns on a ferry contract, Babcock’s build strategy is now predicated on consolidating all manufacture and integration activities at Rosyth. The company intends to invest around GBP50 million (USD 61.4 million) to develop a covered twin-berth facility on site.

The possibility that some blocks could be built in other yards – such as Cammell Laird - has not been ruled out. Company sources are suggesting that supply chain engagement in the coming months will evaluate whether there is a value for money case for outsourcing some work. That said, Babcock at this stage views additional external capacity as more relevant to meeting future export demand.

Comment Babcock’s selection for the Type 31 programme is significant in that it breaks BAE Systems’ monopoly on surface warship-building in the UK. It also provides Thales with an entry point for its TACTICOS combat management system into the UK market, again breaking the dominance of BAE Systems. While the MoD continues to quote a ‘per ship’ build cost of GBP250 million (USD307.2 million), the actual outturn cost of the five-ship programme is expected to be nearer GBP2 billion (USD2.5 billion). This figure reflects attendant introduction to service costs, the additional costs of the GFX elements, and indexation to account for inflation.

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ArmChairCivvy
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Re: Type 31 General Purpose Frigate [News Only]

Post by ArmChairCivvy »

Aethulwulf wrote:with minimum mandated systems or government-furnished assets/information (GFX), with the Sea Ceptor anti-air missile system] = stds

(USD2.5 billion). This figure reflects attendant introduction to service costs, the additional costs of the GFX elements, and indexation to account for inflation

- not only a contract clause (indexation?) but also comes in through the GFX transfer values

A good and thorough writeup, that was
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Re: Type 31 General Purpose Frigate [News Only]

Post by Ron5 »

shark bait wrote:Good spot Ron! I don't think I've seen this yet either. We can spot the difference;

New
Image

Old
Image
Shame the picture quality is so poor. I've scoured the web to find better versions of the same picture but with no luck, hence my plea.

Ron5
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Re: Type 31 General Purpose Frigate [News Only]

Post by Ron5 »

Thank you Aethulwulf for posting the Janes article. very informative.

I must admit to a smile after reading the last sentence. Seems in addition to the 2 year delay to the original delivery date, we already have a 30% budget overrun. By my math that makes each ship 300 million each. Excluding the 250 mill introduction costs that were already announced.

Any guess on final delivered cost? and date?
Aethulwulf wrote:While the MoD continues to quote a ‘per ship’ build cost of GBP250 million (USD307.2 million), the actual outturn cost of the five-ship programme is expected to be nearer GBP2 billion (USD2.5 billion). This figure reflects attendant introduction to service costs, the additional costs of the GFX elements, and indexation to account for inflation.

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Re: Type 31 General Purpose Frigate [News Only]

Post by SD67 »

Hugely reassuring in my book. I think the sweet spot is probably around 350-375 which seems to be what the Navy are edging towards. 250 would have been the middle of nowhere-land neither fish nor fowl.
I see Babcock have bought the Goliath Crane from ACA - things are getting serious

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Re: Type 31 General Purpose Frigate [News Only]

Post by dmereifield »

SD67 wrote:Hugely reassuring in my book. I think the sweet spot is probably around 350-375 which seems to be what the Navy are edging towards. 250 would have been the middle of nowhere-land neither fish nor fowl.
I see Babcock have bought the Goliath Crane from ACA - things are getting serious
If that is the case, then we should hope to see a better fit out than that displayed in the CGI's?

Ron5
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Re: Type 31 General Purpose Frigate [News Only]

Post by Ron5 »

Ron5 wrote:Thank you Aethulwulf for posting the Janes article. very informative.

I must admit to a smile after reading the last sentence. Seems in addition to the 2 year delay to the original delivery date, we already have a 30% budget overrun. By my math that makes each ship 300 million each. Excluding the 250 mill introduction costs that were already announced.

Any guess on final delivered cost? and date?
Aethulwulf wrote:While the MoD continues to quote a ‘per ship’ build cost of GBP250 million (USD307.2 million), the actual outturn cost of the five-ship programme is expected to be nearer GBP2 billion (USD2.5 billion). This figure reflects attendant introduction to service costs, the additional costs of the GFX elements, and indexation to account for inflation.
Actually my math is wrong, the average ship cost is now 350 million.

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Re: Type 31 General Purpose Frigate [News Only]

Post by jonas »

Parliamentary written answers 7th Oct 2019. In short you won't be finding out the costs for some considerable time. Here with standard answers to all questions :-

Asked by Mr Kevan Jones
(North Durham)
[N]
Asked on: 02 October 2019
Ministry of Defence
Type 31 Frigates: Procurement
293495
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has made an assessment of the cost of Government Furnished Equipment for each of the five planned Type 31 Frigates.
A
Answered by: Anne-Marie Trevelyan
Answered on: 07 October 2019

There is an estimated baseline value of Government Furnished Equipment for the Type 31e Frigate programme, but it would be prejudicial to the commercial interests of the Ministry of Defence to disclose that estimate at this stage.

It is too early to specify the sources of Government Furnished Equipment that will be fitted to the Type 31 Frigates.
Grouped Questions: 293496 | 293497
Q
Asked by Mr Kevan Jones
(North Durham)
[N]
Asked on: 02 October 2019
Ministry of Defence
Type 31 Frigates: Procurement
293496
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the overall cost will be for each Type 31 Frigate once the cost of Government Furnished Equipment is added to the £250 million unit cost.
A
Answered by: Anne-Marie Trevelyan
Answered on: 07 October 2019

There is an estimated baseline value of Government Furnished Equipment for the Type 31e Frigate programme, but it would be prejudicial to the commercial interests of the Ministry of Defence to disclose that estimate at this stage.

It is too early to specify the sources of Government Furnished Equipment that will be fitted to the Type 31 Frigates.
Grouped Questions: 293495 | 293497

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Re: Type 31 General Purpose Frigate [News Only]

Post by NickC »

Jane's T31 article posted above by Aethulwulf lists options for gun fire control, surprised no mention of the Bofors option of an on-mount TV camera and muzzle velocity radar with digital fire control system for the 57mm and 40mm guns, presume due to Babcock/Thales systems agreement.

"Alternative renders released by Babcock show arrangements with either the Thales Mirador Mk 2 electro-optical tracking and fire-control system or the STIR EO Mk 2 radar/electro-optical fire control director (mountings positioned fore and aft in both cases). The Mirador Mk 2 is the current baseline, but Jane’s has been told that the adoption of the more capable – and expensive – STIR EO Mk 2 for Type 31 has not yet been ruled out at this stage."

1) Thales Dutch MIRADOR Electro-Optical observation and tracking system for gun fire control, sold more than 70 systems. The EO/IR includes two TV cameras, daylight HDTV cameras (surveillance & tracking), and an IR camera (tracking) and an eyesafe Laser Range Finder. Extra cost options include multi target detection, naval gunfire support and splash spotting.

2) The substantially more costly and sophisticated alternative Thales Dutch STIR EO Mk 2 radar/electro-optical fire control director with dual radar bands (I- and K-band) and with EO sensors, giving high track continuity even in littoral, high-clutter and jamming scenarios. In EMCON mode of radar silence uses the electro-optical third generation focal plane array MWIR-camera, colour and black & white TV cameras and an eye-safe (class 1M) Laser Range Finder.

If understanding correctly MIRADOR only operational in daytime and fair weather as no radar, laser would not operate at night, in heavy rain, fog, snow, smoke etc to give necessary range info with the passive IR camera, whereas the STIR with its radar makes it a 24 hour all weather system.

Though Babcock have shown the above two options for the fire control of the guns, expect the choice to be MIRADOR as by the far the lowest cost option with its limited operational capabilities, though would hope for STIR.

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Re: Type 31 General Purpose Frigate [News Only]

Post by Aethulwulf »

NickC wrote:If understanding correctly MIRADOR only operational in daytime and fair weather as no radar, laser would not operate at night, in heavy rain, fog, snow, smoke etc to give necessary range info with the passive IR camera, whereas the STIR with its radar makes it a 24 hour all weather system.

Though Babcock have shown the above two options for the fire control of the guns, expect the choice to be MIRADOR as by the far the lowest cost option with its limited operational capabilities, though would hope for STIR.
Not sure why you think Mirador / Laser can not operate a night. The IR camera and laser range finder will work day or night.

Mirador has a stated maximum range of 40 km, with a 5m accuracy. Like all E/O systems it can be affected by weather (esp. fog), which can reduce this maximum range.

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Re: Type 31 General Purpose Frigate [News Only]

Post by Tempest414 »

I think this is a little unfair the type 31 hull and size is more than capable of replacing type 23 in the GP role and could if funded correctly over match it in most roles apart from ASW. The only thing holding A-140 back is money it has more than enough room to be fitted with

better 4D radar
better CMS
A 127mm main gun , 2 x 40mm , 2 x Phalanx plus 32 cell MK-41 or A-50
A CAPTAS-4 CI sonar

In its current from with its funding it will be a step back from type 23 but it could be as good if the money was forth coming

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Re: Type 31 General Purpose Frigate [News Only]

Post by tomuk »

Tempest414 wrote: better 4D radar
better CMS
What is exactly wrong with NS100 and Tacitos?

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Re: Type 31 General Purpose Frigate [News Only]

Post by Tempest414 »

tomuk wrote:
Tempest414 wrote: better 4D radar
better CMS
What is exactly wrong with NS100 and Tacitos?
NS100 is a good radar but there are better 4D radars out there as far the Tacitos I just mean a higher level of this system

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Re: Type 31 General Purpose Frigate [News Only]

Post by Tinman »

T23 ASW, protects high value assets. GP T23 doesn’t.

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Re: Type 31 General Purpose Frigate [News Only]

Post by NickC »

Aethulwulf wrote:
NickC wrote:If understanding correctly MIRADOR only operational in daytime and fair weather as no radar, laser would not operate at night, in heavy rain, fog, snow, smoke etc to give necessary range info with the passive IR camera, whereas the STIR with its radar makes it a 24 hour all weather system.

Though Babcock have shown the above two options for the fire control of the guns, expect the choice to be MIRADOR as by the far the lowest cost option with its limited operational capabilities, though would hope for STIR.
Not sure why you think Mirador / Laser can not operate a night. The IR camera and laser range finder will work day or night.

Mirador has a stated maximum range of 40 km, with a 5m accuracy. Like all E/O systems it can be affected by weather (esp. fog), which can reduce this maximum range.
My understanding the MIRADOR in daylight has the use of two daylight TV cameras, one wide angle for search, one narrow angle for tracking and one narrow angle tracking IR camera plus laser ranger. At night MIRADOR has only the use of the narrow angle IR camera plus laser and would think MIRADOR near useless at night in EMCON mode. Thought working with main ship radar possible at night.

Why EMCON
April 2017 contract with Kongsberg JSMs for the Australian F-35As will incorporate BAE Systems Australia state-of-the-art RF seeker sensor to detect electromagnetic emissions from radar/radio, the LRASM with its BAE Systems USA seeker has from inception included RF seeker and no doubt Chinese/Russian sea sea-skimming missiles will use RF seekers and their equivalent AGM-88 HARM and SPEAR-EW missiles It seems a no brainer that in war scenario at appropriate times warships will be operating in EMCON mode/radar off, if they want to survive, EMCON was widely practiced in NATO cold war era naval exercises.

Mention possability of fitting the Thales Gatekeeper IR/TV to T31, but its very short range for close-range security when in harbour, at anchor or sailing close to unfriendly shores, does not appear to have the range to replace the MIRADOR wide angle daylight search TV camera at night.

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