Labyrinth Class Corvette

Overview:

Beginning in 2012, the navy was looking into a replacement of the Serpent Class for the role of fast attack craft/patrol boat killers, as well as provide dedicated strike capabilities lacking in the Protector Class. At the same time, Paranau Heavy Industries of Baumes commissioned Imperial Shipyards of Domanania for a new class of patrol ships that could be domestically built.

In 2014 both Imperial Shipyards and Paranau Heavy Industries agreed to cooperate on a new class of patrol craft with heavy strike capabilities.

Design:

The original plan was for a 500 ton missile boat utilizing stealth characteristics and an integrated mast. Early on, the plan was to utilize slant launchers like many missile boats use. However, the idea to use a small number of VLS cells proved to provide greater mission flexibility and strike capabilities. So the ship's deplanement was increased to 860 tons to integrate the VLS cells.

Ships of the class have a stealth shaped superstructure with an integrated mast carrying four phased array radar panels. They are capable of firing Thunderbolt Cruise Missiles, Javelin AShM, and Marlin Missiles, which are carried in the VLS behind the bridge. The ship comes equipped with a 76mm naval gun, navalized Diplyon Air Defense System, and export vesions come equipped with a pair of Lancer CIWS instead of the Diplyon.

The unique Combined Diesel-Electric and Diesel (CODLAD) gives the vessel higher speeds and fuel efficiency in a smaller space than a diesel only or CODAG system. It is also much cheaper to produce and maintain. This is also what gives the craft the ability to travel as such high speeds. It has a relatively high cruising speed compared to other craft of similar sizes.

Missions:

The Labyrinth class was designed to protect the littoral zones of a nation's territory, as well as EEZ/offshore patrol. The small size of the vessel allows it to operate within rivers as well, allowing it to travel upstream. This allows it to protect inland targets more effectively, or to provide fire support closer to the fighting. This also allows it to be deployed onto lakes via waterways, should they be needed.

The standard mission for the Labyrinth Class is that of coastal defense. It achieves this usually by equipping itself with Marlin Missiles, which double as SAM and SSM. This allows it to defend against air targets as well as smaller surface targets and merchant vessels. It can also equip itself with dedicated AShM and Land attack missiles as options for strike missions.

With its high cruising speed, the ship also acts as a rapid response vessel, capable of traveling quickly to an area to provide much needed support. This also lets it keep up with water craft that would otherwise be faster than an offshore patrol vessel. The high speeds come at the cost of endurance, as the vessel doesn't have the ability to store as many supplies as vessels with a similar role. The vessel can only operate for 15 days without logistical support, often returning to base to refuel. This limits its ability to perform long patrol missions. The hope is that the lower maintenance will allow the ship to spend less time in port for maintenance.

Ships in Service:

Domanania (5 Active, 15 Planned): FNS Nwatosae, FNS, Tsansí, FNS Apítíwae, FNS Pupanmot, FNS Gíwado
Baumes (5 Active, 12 Planned): RBS Ijurco, RBS Portimor, RBS Sizela, RBS Pantijo, RBS Armada