StanFlex

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Skaden P561 (StanFlex SF300) and Thetis F357 (StanFlex 2000) of the Danish Navy in Copenhagen
The fully automatic ship gun 76/62 Compact (76 mm gun barrel with 62 caliber length) from the Italian manufacturer Oto Melara for use on warships.
A Sea Sparrow anti-aircraft missile is launched from the Lübeck frigate (F 214).
Rigid inflatable boat (RHIB) of the Danish Navy

StanFlex (also known as STANFLEX or Standard-Flex) is a modular naval ship system of the Danish Navy . Originally, this class of ship was planned in the 1980s as a replacement for several different small naval ship classes of small size in order to replace them with a class that could be used flexibly.

Principle of the StanFlex system

The principle of the StanFlex system is to store the weapons and equipment in standardized containers called modules, which are quickly inserted into corresponding standardized openings on the ships that are accessible from the outside, depending on the needs and mission. This allows these containers to be exchanged in a short time so that the ships can quickly be used for other missions.

The modularization of weapons, deployment and monitoring systems for these marine surface units are playing an increasing role in the navy and have so far been implemented in Germany , Denmark and the USA . These include concepts such as MEKO , the Stanflex system and SSES / NIICP.

The previous success of the modularization led to all new warships of the Danish Navy being designed with the StanFlex system and also to retrofitting on older ships with major modifications.

Advantages and disadvantages

  • Unused modules can be stored ashore under controlled conditions, making testing, overhaul and repair easier.
  • Ships do not need to be taken out of service when the devices in the modules are serviced.
  • New weapons and systems can be implemented more quickly with the modules.
  • If a ship or a class goes out of service, the modules can be used on other ships.
  • The standard flex ships are less efficient than a dedicated ship, but the ability for a ship to perform multiple tasks makes it more universal.

inventory

As of 2001 the StanFlex modules contain:

  • SSM - anti-ship missiles Boeing RGM-84 Harpoon missiles km with a range of 120th
  • Anti-aircraft missiles Mk 48 NATO (Vertical Launch Seasparrow), 6 cells for combating ship units up to 1,000 t.
  • Naval artillery, 76/62 Compact Otobreda rapid fire cannon, range of 16 km.
  • Two torpedo tubes with cable steering 53.3 cm.
  • Towing sonar Thales TSM 2640 VDS.
  • Control and monitoring system for drone mine hunters Double Eagle ROV Remotely Operated Vehicle .
  • A hydraulic crane for the use of a rigid inflatable boat (RHIB) or for the use of sea mines.

Development of the FLYVEFISKEN class (StanFlex 300)

StanFlex (SF300) naval ship (P555) of the Danish Navy

During the early 1980s, three ship classes with a total of 22 ships had to be replaced. A new class of ship, the Flyvefisken class, was defined and designed which, thanks to its modular structure and quick module exchange, could take on the tasks of the three classes of ship. This was made possible because the weapons and equipment were installed in standardized, quickly exchangeable containers. This modular payload system became known as "Standard Flex" or "StanFlex". Feasibility studies conducted in 1983 and 1984 resulted in the design of the standard Flex 300 naval vessel. They were 54 meter long, 320 ton patrol boats , which were equipped with the standard flex system.

Modules

The modules themselves were designed by the Naval Materiel Command and Promecon and construction began in July 1985. The Stanflex modules were designed by Monberg & Thorsen. The modules consist of a stainless steel container 3 meters long, 3.5 meters wide and 2.5 meters high. Exactly manufactured connection flanges ensure that the modules fit exactly and that the connections for electricity, ventilation, water and communication connections fit together without any problems.

The weapon or antenna systems are mounted on the roof of the modules, while the machines, electronics and equipment are arranged inside the modules. The modules can be installed or exchanged using a 15-tonne mobile crane . The process takes about half an hour and after a system test, the ship is ready for use again within a few hours. The software in the control consoles can be quickly exchanged for the corresponding operations. The training of the crew is more complex, however, as more tasks are performed by these ships.

THETIS class (StanFlex 2000) and ABSALON class (StanFlex 3500)

The multi-purpose boats of the Flyvefisken class (STANFLEX 300) and the frigates (inspection ships, Fiskeriinspection skibe) of the THETIS class (STANFLEX 2000) have meanwhile proven themselves. The new units of the ABSALON class (STANFLEX 3500) were developed and put into service according to this principle. They can be used as command ships , hospital ships, logistical support ships or in strategic sea transport.

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