SEASTEMA and HANWHA SYSTEMS delivered ECS to ROK Navy for FFX-II.

SEASTEMA, a Fincantieri company specialized in integrated automation and control systems, in partnership with the Korean system integrator HANWHA SYSTEMS acting as main contractor, delivered SEASNavy Engineering Control System (ECS) on the first of eight Daegu-class frigates (FFX Batch II or FFX-II), built by Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co. (DSME) for the Republic of Korea Navy (ROK Navy).

ROKS Daegu is the first FFX-II Frigate of the ROK Navy. DAPA Picture

FFX-II is the first South Korean warship to be fitted with a CODLOG integrated Gas Turbine and electric propulsion. This complex propulsion arrangement is entirely controlled by the advanced Propulsion Control System supplied by HANWHA SYSTEMS and SEASTEMA and based on SEASNavy ECS platform.

SEASNavy ECS is a state of the art suite of software subsystems for the integrated platform management, developed by SEASTEMA with the goal of complying with the new demanding operational requirement of modern naval vessels in terms of flexibility and reliability.

SEASNavy is characterized by a high level of integration and a significant number of new control modules and automated features, whose functionality and reliability has already been well proven in several European Naval programs.

Our video coverage on FFX Batch I, Batch II and Batch III with HHI at MADEX 2017

One of the key factor for the success of this project is in the sophisticated Dynamic Simulation technique employed by SEASTEMA. This tool allows to test the most important control software algorithms in a laboratory environment before going on board.

The other key for success has been the contribution of HANWHA SYSTEMS, the prime contractor with an important share of localization, ensuring a proactive project management approach and an invaluable local support and cooperation with the customer.

Mr YOO Kyung Nam, chief engineer of DSME comments: “This project was particularly challenging for DSME because of the new complex propulsion configuration and other innovative solutions. Thanks to the local commitment of HANWHA SYSTEMS, the professionality and competence of SEASTEMA’s engineers and its mother company and the high quality of the product, the project was carried on without problems and within the scheduled milestones. Furthermore the short time required for the setting to work and testing of the ECS system, helped the shipyard and equipment manufactures in their commissioning and tuning activities”.

ROKS Daegu is the first FFX-II Frigate of the ROK Navy. DAPA Picture

DSME launched the lead ship of the new Daegu-class FFX-II frigate for the Republic of Korea Navy (ROK Navy) on June 2, 2016. The vessel was delivered to the ROK Navy in February this year. Key updates of the Batch II over the ASW-focused Batch I include VLS, full electric propulsion system, a towed array sonar system as well as a larger hangar that can accommodate a 10-ton helicopter (FFX-I has hangar for lighter helicopters like AW159).

FFX-II is the first South Korean warship to be fitted with DRS Hybrid Electric Drive system, coupled with Rolls-Royce MT-30 gas turbine engine for CODLAG integrated full-electric propulsion. This configuration is shared with the US Navy's LCS and Zumwalt destroyers, as well as with the Royal Navy's QE aircraft carriers and future Type 26 GCS. In terms of engine technology and acoustic reduction technology, this makes FFX-II one of the most advanced and 'reduced accoustic signature' ASW frigates among western navies.

FFX batch II is not fitted with Mk 41 VLS buth with KVLS meaning it will deploy Korean missiles (most probably designed by LIG Nex 1 such as the Cheolmae-2 medium-range air defense missile, Hong Sang Eo anti-submarine rocket, and possibly the Hyunmoo-3 series of land attack cruise missiles).

The first two vessels of the class are built by DSME. South Korea's DAPA placed an order with Hyundai Heavy & Industries (HHI) in December 2016 to build two Daegu-class FFX-II frigates ahead of schedule to support the ailing local shipbuilding industry. These two vessels will be the third and fourth in the series.

Daegu-class FFX-II frigate main specifications:
Displacement (Full): Abt. 2800 (3,600)
Length/ Beam: 122m / 14m
Max. Speed: 30 kts
Complement: 120 sailors
Major weapons: 5” Main gun (K Mk.45 Mod 4) / 20mm CIWS (Phalanx Block 1B) / KVLS (16 cells)
Propulsion: CODLOG

Incheon Class (FFX Batch-I, 6 ships)
811 – Incheon
812 – Gyeonggi
813 – Jeonbuk
815 – Gangwon
816 – Chungbuk
817 - Gwangju

Daegu Class(FFX-II / Batch-II, 4 ships)
818 – Daegu
819 -
820 -
821 -