Wiki // Type-18 Fontus Class Frigate

The Type-18 frigate also known as the Fontus class was a class of frigates built for the Alteran Maritime Defence Force. Fourteen were built in total for the Alterans, with production divided into three batches. Several other nations were interested in the programme and susequently placed orders. As early as the mid-1960s, the Alteran Maritime Defence Force (AMDF) had a requirement for a replacement for the diesel powered frigates they had inherited from Noronica. Up until then, Altera had very little in the way of government sanctioned naval projects. However, Verhun Ironworks (later to become Verhun Defence Systems) claimed that, by ignoring what they claimed to be the conservative design practices followed by the MoD team in Noronica, they could deliver the new frigate at a significantly lower price ($3.5 million compared with the $5 million price of the contemporary Leander class), while being attractive to export customers.

The class was ordered under political pressure for a relatively cheap, yet modern, general-purpose escort vessel which would be attractive to governments and officers of Argean, Eterna and Southern Sea: potential new export markets for Alteran shipyards. It was also envisaged as an out-of-area AMDF gunboat that would retain AR presence in those areas, as well as the Mesder and North Mesder Seas; essentially replacing several serving designs with a single, flexible vessel.

The development of Verhun's own export designs increased the pressure on the AMDF to accept this line of naval development, which seemed to offer a cheap export frigate with a range of 6,000 nautical miles (11,000 km; 6,900 mi), a top speed of 37 knots (69 km/h; 43 mph), a superficially good armament of the new 4.5-inch gun, facilities for a light helicopter, anti-ship missiles and two triple lightweight missile launchers. When plans for the new frigate were finalised in 1968, the Curia rejected the design, in favour of purchasing and upgrading vessels from Noronica. In reality, those other vessels cost the government far more in manpower, fuel and overall costs to run - which meant that most frigates spent more time tied up, rather than at sea; and despite the smaller crew, running costs were ten per cent higher than those of the Leanders.

However, Verhun continued to tweak the design in the hopes of gaining Alteran or export interest. This continued for over a decade when, in 1989, the Altera government once more approached Verhun and outlined a requirement broadly similar to its original plans in the 1960s. Verhun unveiled the updated Type-18 design, which the Curia accepted formally into service in 2005. By the 2005 entry date, the design had gone over several more design overhauls, finally ending with its modern and minimalist approach - in an early attempt to incorporate stealth technology into the vessel. The ship currently serves with both the Maritime Defence Forces as well as Customs and Immigration Services (ACIS).

Design

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The Type-18s were the Alteran Maritime Defence Force's first privately designed warships for many years. They were also the first design to enter service with the AMDF to be solely powered by gas-turbine engines, with two Oakoms Fitzroy COGOG Mk.32 arranged in a combined gas or gas (COGOG) arrangement. The design made use of large amounts of aluminium alloy in the superstructure to reduce the topweight. Worries later surfaced about its resilience to fire, particularly following a major fire on one of the vessels in 2008 during which aluminium ladders distorted, preventing fire-fighting teams from reaching the blaze, and its ability to withstand blast damage. Later warships reverted or retrofitted to using steel.

As delivered, the Type 21s were armed with a single 4.5 inch Mark 8 naval gun forward, as well as a four-round launcher for surface-to-air missiles - however, this was later changed to incorporate a 32-tube vertical launch system. A lightweight fire control radar was adopted to control both the gun and the VLS missiles to save weight. An air/surface radar was fitted as standard, with a long-range air-search radar provided at a later date. A retractable hangar and flight deck were provided for a single helicopter. The Computer-Assisted Action Information System (CAAIS) was provided to integrate the ship's weapons and sensor systems and provide the crew with all the relevant information they required to fight the ship, as and when they needed it.

When they entered service, the Type-18s were criticized for being under-armed concerning their size and cost. A program was put in hand to increase their firepower by fitting 32 vertical launch system tubes to accommodate surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles. These were sited in front of the bridge screen aft of the forecastle, displacing countermeasure launchers to amidships. This improvement was quickly carried out to all ships of the class.

Unlike similar, larger vessels in the Alteran fleet - such as the Adventure and Abrize class vessels - the Type-18 allows for hull variations and modifications, exporting three main layouts:

• Coastal Defence (CD)

• Fleet Escort (FE)

• Customs and Immigration (CI)
  

Partnerships

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Segentova was very interesting in the programme in the early 2000s; however, they were adamant that they wanted to produce the vessels in their own shipyards. As Alteran owned shipyards were at full capacity at the time, the Alteran government agreed to Segentovia producing their own vessels in their own shipyards under license. The Segentovians went on to tweak the design and add their own equipment to their specifications - though broadly speaking the ships capability remained the same.

Variants

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Coastal Defence (CD)

The Coastal Defence variant was produced as a light vessel to patrol and intercept ships attempting to enter Alteran Maritime juristition without consent, as well as escort vessels through the Argus Canal; which forms a major part of the Alteran Maritime Defence Force's remit.

Sub-Variants

• CD-AR - Adopted by the Alteran military. Outfitted with standard Alteran systems.

• CD-SG - Manufactored under license for the Segentovian military. Outfitted with standard Segentovian systems.

Fleet Escort (FE)

Similar to the Coastal Defence variant, its duties are to escort vessels; however it is better suited to operating in international waters - not just coastal and canal environments. It's main role is as a light escort for Alteran and merchant shipping overseas.

Sub-Variants

• FE-AR - Adopted by the Alteran military. Outfitted with standard Alteran systems.

• FE-SG - Manufactored under license for the Segentovian military. Outfitted with standard Segentovian systems.

Customs and Immigration (CI)

Similar to the Fleet Escort variant, but outfitted with space to house Marines and Customs Officers, a small brig to detain illegal immigrants and a large evidence locker to securely store illegal contraband.

Sub-Variants

• CI-AR - Adopted by the Alteran Customs and Immigration Service. Outfitted with standard Alteran systems.

• CI-SG - Manufactored under license for the Segentovian coast guard. Outfitted with standard Segentovian systems.

Specifications

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Model	CD	FE	CI
Length	98.9 m	98.9 m	98.9 m
Beam	13.5 m	13.5 m	13.5 m
Displacement	3,400 t	3,400 t	3,400 t
Compliment	148 - 180 Upto 20 marines	148 - 180	148 - 180 Upto 20 marines
Powerplant	x2 Alteran Republics Oakoms Fitzroy COGOG Mk.32 @ 42 MW	x2 Alteran Republics Oakoms Fitzroy COGOG Mk.32 @ 42 MW	x2 Alteran Republics Oakoms Fitzroy COGOG Mk.32 @ 42 MW
Speed	30+ kt	30+ kt	30+ kt
Range	9,800 km	9,8000 km	9,800 km
Armament	x1 76mm Naval Gun x4 .50 cal HMGs x2 Excalibur CIWS x32 VLS Depth Charges x4 Torpedo Tubes x1 LRAD	x1 4.5" Naval Gun x4 .50 cal HMGs x2 Excalibur CIWS x32 VLS Depth Charges x4 Torpedo Tubes	x1 Twin 40mm Autocannon x4 .50 cal HMGs x2 Excalibur CIWS x1 LRAD

Operators

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• Alteran Maritime Defence Force - Type-18 CD-AR/FE-AR

• Alteran Customs and Immigration Service - Type-18 CI-AR

• Segentovian Navy - Type-18 CD-AR/FE-AR

• Segentovian Coast Guard- Type-18 CI-AR
  

Liveries

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Related Articles

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