10th Naval Platform Technology Seminar 2005

THE «GOWIND» CORVETTES

Mr Letty Patrick
Project manager
Department of naval architecture
DCN
France
LettyPatrick@dcn-lorient.fr

Mr Bouvier Christophe
Naval architect
Department of naval architecture
DCN
France
ChristopheBouvier@dcn-lorient.fr

SYNOPSIS

The expanding market for corvettes has led DCN to develop in 2004 a new generation of vessels. The
DCN corvettes, named GOWIND, have been designed in order to meet the today’s naval needs of a
developing maritime nation. This versatile family is composed of 3 different basis versions of
respective displacements 1250 t, 1700 t and 1950 t.

The design of the corvettes has been conducted in a design to cost way after an analysis of the needs
of the potential customers. Moreover, the best architectural options have been considered for a fast
littoral warship. For the propulsion, waterjets have been selected for the efficiency at high speed and
the draft reduction. Different propulsive arrangements have been studied in order to find the best
solutions for the range of maximum proposed speeds (30-35knt). As regard to the helicopter
operations and the combat system performances, the design has paid a special attention to the
seakeeping performances.

The military performances have been highly improved with innovative solutions to reduce the RCS
(unique mast, flush deck SSM, RCS lights, suppresses of the funnels…) and the IR signature (cooling
of exhaust gases).

The reduction of the acquisition cost has been achieved by the optimization of the design according to
the different functions: propulsion aft of the ship, living spaces in the middle and weapon system
forward in order to optimize the architecture and the shipbuilding.

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1. NOMENCLATURE

AAW Anti Air Warfare IPMS Integrated Platform Management

System
ASM Anti Ship Missile IR Infra-Red
ASW Anti Submarine Warfare LCB Longitudinal Centre of Buoyancy
AUV Autonomous underwater LCC Life Cycle Cost
Vehicle
CIC Combat Information Center NBC Nuclear, Biological and Chemical
CODAD Combined Diesel and Diesel PO Petty Officer
CODAG Combined Diesel and Gas RAS Replenishment At Sea
COTS Commercial Off The Shelf RCS Radar Cross Section
CPO Chief Petty Officer RIB Rigid Inflatable Boat
ECM Electronic Countermeasures SSM Surface to Surface Missile
GPS Global Positioning System UAV Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
HMS Hull Mounted Sonar USV Unmanned Surface Vehicle
IBS Integrated Bridge system UUV Unmanned Underwater Vehicle
IFF Identification Friend or Foe VLS Vertical Launching System

2. INTRODUCTION

The expanding market for corvettes has led DCN to develop a new generation of vessels.
The DCN corvettes, named GOWIND, have been designed in order to meet the today’s
naval needs of a developing maritime nation:

• A versatile and consistent family of upgradeable ships to safeguard sovereignty and

to sustain economic interests,
• A functional frigate in the size of a corvette with improved combat capacities.

This versatile family is composed of 3 different basis versions of respective displacements

1250t1, 1700t and 1950t which can be easily adapted to the specific needs of the customers.

Figure 1: The GOWIND family

1
The Gowind 120 was designed by Mr F. Lorin, DCN, and Mr J.C Nahon, BE Mauric

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The corvettes have been designed to fulfill the following missions:

• Patrol and protection of territorial waters,

• Support of naval operations and seaborne forces,
• Combat actions against enemy surface ships,
• Anti submarine warfare for the Gowind 200 corvette,
• Surveillance for fishery protection,
• Anti smuggling,
• Maritime traffic control,
• Search and rescue,
• …

The Gowind corvettes have been designed for operating in the complex littoral environment
that can be described as follow:

• Shallow water,
• Heavy sea traffic: ferries, merchant ships...
• A broad spectra of threats: Anti ship missiles, mines, torpedoes, artillery,
swimmers...
• Short distances – lack distance of space for defense in depth and for maneuvering
• Short reaction time

As a result, the GOWIND corvettes offer to the customer the best performances for a ship of
her size:

• intensive and fully integrated combat system,

• low levels of signatures,
• high level of survivability,
• high speed and optimized propulsion system,
• excellent seakeeping,
• helicopter with a hangar (except for Gowind 120),
• embarked USV, AUV or UUV (except for Gowind 120),
• high level of comfort for crew.

Figure 2: The GOWIND 170

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The GOWIND corvettes are fitted with a very extensive combat system. They incorporate a
large Combat Information Center which, with the associated surveillance sensors and
communication systems, allows to control and command various types of operations.

Table 1: GOWIND Family

GOWIND 120 GOWIND 170 GOWIND 200
Platform
characteristics
Displacement 1250 t 1700 t 1950 t
Length overall 80 m 95 m 103 m
Maximum beam 12 m 14 m 14,2 m
Depth 6,3 m 7,3 m 7,3 m
Speed (CODAD) >30 Knots >30 Knots >30 Knots
Range 2000 mN / 15 Kts 3000 mN / 15 Kts 3000 mN / 15 Kts
Autonomy 10 days / 50 P. 20 days / 65 P. 20 days / 70 P.
Helicopter 5 t helicopter 5 t helicopter 10 t helicopter
Hangar Hangar
Retractable hangar Aeronautic
(option) ammunitions
Drone No 1 UUV or USV 1 UUV or USV
Crew 50 P. + 8 passengers 65 P. + 15 passengers 70 P. + 15 passengers
Signatures
SER Small superstructure Small superstructure Small superstructure
Integrated SSM Integrated SSM Integrated SSM
Unique mast Unique mast Unique mast
Infra-Red Cooled exhausts Cooled exhausts Cooled exhausts
Magnetic Degaussing system Degaussing system Degaussing system
Weapon systems
CMS SETIS SETIS SETIS
3D radar + IFF 3D radar + IFF 3D radar + IFF
Radar 2xnavigation radar 2xnavigation radar 2xnavigation radar
Main gun 1x76 mm 1x76 mm 1x76 mm
Side gun 1x20 mm 1x30 mm 1x30 mm
SSM 8 MBDA MM40 8 MBDA MM40 8 MBDA MM40
SAM 16 Mica VL 16 Mica VL 16 Mica VL
16 ASTER 15 (option) 16 ASTER 15 (option)
Fire control FCS FCS FCS
system
Optronic fire EOMS EOMS EOMS
control
ESM/ECM R-ESM R-ESM R-ESM
C-ESM
Decoy system 2 decoy launchers 2 decoy launchers 2 decoy launchers
Sonar Mine avoidance sonar Mine avoidance sonar Hull mounted sonar
Torpedo detection
system Variable depth sonar
Torpedo - - 2xtri-tube

3. AN INNOVATIVE DESIGN

The Gowind family is an innovative design by many ways:

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3.1. General architecture

• The entire propulsion system has been installed aft to get the amidships area free of
machinery spaces,
• The living spaces are concentrated in the midship area, isolated from the noisy and
the risky areas (weapons, ammunitions). The dining areas are on a single level to
optimize the flows of food,
• The bridge offers a 360 ° view around the ship,
• The size of the superstructure has been reduced to minimize the radar cross section,
• The infra red signature of the ship has been considerably reduced by the use of gas
exhaust cooling systems.

3.2. Top side design

The physical integration of the combat system mainly benefits from the propulsion side
exhaust (suppression of the funnels) and the adoption of an Integrated Mast approach.

The following design drivers have governed the definition of the Gowind top side design:

• Adoption of a unique mast in order to reduce the EMI issues and to improve the arc
coverage for weapons and sensors,
• Suppression of the funnel as a consequence the RCS is lowered and the allowable
surface for weapon systems is highly improved,
• Adoption of one reduced superstructure block in composite to reduce the weight of
the superstructure and the RCS,
• Minimization of the RCS by adoption of adapted geometrical shapes, and integration
of the SSM under a flush deck,
• Selected positions of the weapons and sensors to provide the maximum coverage
arcs in combination with the maximum achievable safety of personnel,
• Selection of a longitudinal position of the SAM VLS providing the required
clearance for the missile launch dispersion envelope.

3.3. Integrated mast

Warships carry increasingly sensitive sensors, many of them broadband and omni
directional. The ship’s topside must offer the best coverage for all sensors, particularly
warning receivers (C-ESM and R-ESM) and multifunction radars, since tactical advantage
hinges primarily on seeing before being seen. An integrated mast is the best solution to
ensure omni directional coverage for all sensors.

Figure 3: Integrated mast

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Improved interoperability is a key requirement for all warships. This calls for high-
performance communication systems, particularly data and satellite links. The associated
antennas transmit high power broadband signals resulting in an increased risk of
electromagnetic interference (EMI). With an integrated mast, high power transmit antennas
and sensitive receive antennas can be positioned for minimum EMI.

Figure 4 : GOWIND 170 topside arrangement

4. SURVIVABILITY

High level of survivability of the corvette is ensured by susceptibility and vulnerability

reduction measures. The ship is also protected against multiple threats by self defense
systems:

• anti-air defense system,

• torpedo defense system (Gowind 170) or variable depth sonar (Gowind 200),
• mine avoidance sonar or hull mounted sonar (Gowind 200),
• decoy system,
• degaussing system,
• ESM,
• NBC citadel, NC detection system, cleansing station.

4.1. Susceptibility reduction measures

A special attention has been paid to the reduction of the signatures of the ship, especially:

• Radar cross section signature,

• Infrared signature,
• Acoustic signature,
• Magnetic signature.

Maximum effort has been focused on minimizing the RCS signature of the ship. To decrease
this signature, the superstructure sides are aligned with hull sides and uncovered deck

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equipment is kept to a minimum. The foredeck and after deck are covered. The boat and
drone recesses are masked by reflective meshes. And the SSM are integrated in the deck.

The infra red signature of the ship has highly been reduced by the suppression of the hot spot
constituted by the funnel.

The exhaust gases are rejected to the ship’s side above the water line for the fore engines and
to the aft of the ship for the aft engines. All the exhausts, including those of the diesel
generators, are cooled by a sea water injection system (the emission of harmful components
is also reduced).

The exhausts of the aft engines, after being cooled, are directed toward the central booster.
This design avoids the dispersion of the propulsion smoke towards the helicopter deck.

Figure 5: Exhaust system

The acoustic signature of the ship is reduced to a level compliant to an optimal operating of
the ASW sensors in the concerned speed range, with the following measures:

• Decoupling of the main engines, the diesel generators and the most noisy equipment
from the hull with elastic mountings
• Appropriate design of the pipe work and the electric cables to avoid transmission of
vibrations from the machinery to the hull.
• Use of flexible hydraulic pipes when necessary.
• Optimization of the shape of the ship to reduce the hydrodynamic noise.

The corvette is fitted with a degaussing system with an appropriate number of "M", "L" and
"A" type degaussing loops. Currents are automatically slaved to navigation conditions
(heading, roll, pitch, latitude and longitude).

The efficiency is guaranteed for all seas throughout the world, whatever the heading and load
(special adjustments to be made on the basis of measurements at sea according to load).
Knowledge of the geomagnetic field is obtained from a reference mapping.

4.2. Vulnerability reduction measures

The design features exhaustive measures to reduce vulnerability, including system separation
and redundancy, adequate watertight subdivision, appropriate damage control zone
subdivision, NBC protection for crew, features to control fire and flooding, shock protection
for vital system, and arrangement of ammunition magazines.

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The Gowind corvette has been design for fulfilling the very demanding DDS 079-1 standard
for both intact and damage conditions.

5. COMBAT SYSTEM

5.1. An intensive and fully integrated combat system

The combat system features a high level of integration in accordance to the following axis:

• A blend of modern weapon and sensor systems specifically featuring the corvette
with littoral capacities,
• A convenient approach of the physical integration of the systems more embedded
onto the platform, while enhancing the susceptibility and survivability of the ship,
• A functional integration of on-board weapons and sensor systems as well as the
functional integration of the corvette inside a fleet through convenient
implementation of the tactical links and communication means,
• A mastered and optimized operation of the combat system integrated onto the
platform through high-level warfare simulation.

The corvette features a blend of modern weapon and sensor systems allowing up-to-date and
optimized combat performance as well as on-board safety, to meet the challenging
conditions of the littoral theatre.

The combat system is therefore mainly based on:

• Mine avoidance sonar (or hull mounted sonar for the Gowind 200), which is
considered essential to operate in littoral context. In order to provide maximum
flexibility, the mine avoidance sonar is retractable. It may also contribute to discreet
navigation when necessary,
• A medium calibre-gun such as the Otolomelara 76 mm gun or UD Bofors 57 mm,
for both anti-surface and anti-air roles (anti-air role as a complement of the AAW
missile system),
• Surface to air missile vertical launcher, for preferably a fire-and-forget AAW missile
system. Such a system is considered essential for the self-protection of the corvette
against today’s air threats. The corvettes are nominally fitted with the MBDA Naval
MICA but can be enhanced with the MBDA Aster 15 / DCN Sylver A43 (for
Gowind 170 & 200), to feature the corvette with a capability of anti-air protection
for consort ships,
• An anti-ship missile system with capabilities against naval threats in high sea and
shore context,
• a fire control system, typically a fore radar and an aft optronic fire control system, to
control the artillery but also to provide an imaging visible and IR capacity,
• Navigation radar, a main fore navigation radar to comply with the IMO regulations
and contribute to the surface tactical situation, and an aft optronic fire control
• 3D radar, with IFF, as the main sensor to establish the air tactical situation in littoral
context, in C-band as a best compromise between detection range, accuracy and
operational modes
• Mast with ESM systems, to complement the active radar with passive means and a
capability of better identification of air targets. The mast also integrates VHF and
UHF communications means.
• decoy launchers, to complement the hard-kill capabilities and increase the
survivability of the corvette,
• EOD, as mentioned above,

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• 30 mm gun, for the anti-surface and police role,

• Torpedoes detection system, as an option to feature the corvette with a self-defense
capability, while in the same time the decoy launcher is to be fitted with acoustic
decoys.
• The Gowind 200 offers additional ASW capabilities with a variable depth sonar and
2 tri-tubes torpedo launchers

5.2. An innovative approach of functional integration of systems

Fruit of experiences of both DCN and THALES through respectively the SENIT and
TAVITAC families, the New Generation Combat Management System SETIS is fitted on
the corvettes.

Based on standard and COTS hardware and software, SETIS incorporates cutting-edge
technologies (latest high power processors, PC under Linux, DINNA, CORBA/EJB software
architecture, extensive re-use of existing sea proven algorithms...).

SETIS allows to build from a genuine combat system a CMS configuration perfectly suited
to the set of sensors and weapons which fully meets the end-user requirements.

The CMS specific equipment consists of multi-function consoles (MFC) and computers,
specific gateways to connect the different weapon and sensors equipment units, as well as
large display screen.

The Combat System items are connected through the whole warship network, DINNA.

6. INTERNAL NETWORKING SYSTEM (DINNA NETWORK)

All systems exchanging information are linked by an Internal Networking System

(DINNA2) consisting of a fiber optics technology backbone, with high-speed data transfer
between concentrators.

Figure 6(a): DINNA concept

2
DINNA is a trademark from DCN

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Figure 6(b): DINNA concept

DINNA is the answer to the increasing needs for exchange of information between:

• the different components of the ship systems,

• the different ship systems,
• the ship systems and the external environment.

The DINNA network uses a worldwide standard, internet protocol, for the exchange of
information.

The architecture of the network ensures a high level of availability and proposes different
levels of security. The security is based firstly on the physical separation of the different
flows of information and secondly on logical firewalls.

The DINNA network offers other advantages:

• The flexibility and the evolutionarily of the system,

• A better coherence between the different networks with the use of common
equipment and exchange protocols.

7. ACCOMMODATIONS

The corvette offers very good living conditions for the crew:

• The living spaces are separated from the noisy areas (propulsion, auxiliaries…),
• the movements of the ship are highly reduced thanks to a sophisticated
tranquilization system,
• accommodations satisfy the space requirements of NATO ANEP 24,
• the furniture is selected to offer a good environment onboard,
• the ship is fitted with large recreation spaces (for this type of ship).

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The following accommodation standard has been applied:

• Commanding officer and VIP: single cabin,

• Officer and WO : single or 2 berths cabins,
• CPO : 2 or 4 berths cabins,
• PO and JR : 4 or 6 berths cabins.

Figure 7: Typical living space

8. HYDRODYNAMIC DESIGN

8.1. Hull form resistance

The hull form is a classical high speed round bilge. This type of hull form was selected
because it offers the best powering performance over the entire speed range which is
important for a naval ship. The hull form has been highly optimized by the use of NS
calculation in order to improve the resistance and seakeeping characteristics.

Figure 8: CFD Optimization

The optimization process was based mainly on the following parameters:

• LCB position,
• Midship section and position,
• Bow shape.

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Figure 9: Influence of LCB for 15 Knt and 30 knt

Figure 10: bulb optimisation for 15 knt and 30 knt

One problem for a ship with a Froude number between 0.5 and 0.6 is the dynamic trim which
increases the drag. To solve this problem, a driven interceptor is used to assure an optimal
trim for every speed.

The advantages of a moveable interceptor are:

• An optimal trim over the entire high speed range (20-35Knts),

• No drag penalties for cruising speed,
• Use for pitch stabilization.

Figure 11: Interceptor system

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Complete tank tests have been performed to qualify all the different aspects:

• Bare hull performance with/without bulb,

• Interceptor performance for powering,
• Interceptor impact on seakeeping.

Figure 12: Corvette’s model

The following table and figure resume the different results.

Figure 13: Towing tank test results

Table 1: Interceptor gains

V
Interceptor A Interceptor B Interceptor C
24
-8,0% -8,1% -9,5%
26
-8,4% -9,7% -10,6%
28
-8,2% -9,5% -10,0%
30
-7,8% -9,4% -10,0%
32
-7,7% -9,6% -10,4%
34
-8,0% -9,6% -10,4%
35
-8,5% -10,1% -10,7%

The towing tank tests show that a reduction of 10 % can be achieved with interceptors. With
moveable interceptors, there is no drag penalty for intermediate speed as the interceptors are
retracted.

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8.2. Seakeeping

Another important point for a small naval ship is to improve the seakeeping performances
regarding the helicopter operations, the combat system performances and the comfort
onboard. The corvette is fitted with a monitored stabilization system based upon an
interceptor and two pair of fins (for GOWIND 170 & 200).

9. PROPULSION PLANT

Two configurations are possible:

• CODAD, as a basic version, for speeds > 30 knots,

• CODAG for speeds up to 35 knots

The propulsion systems are distributed in 3 or 4 different compartments:

• Waterjet compartment,
• Aft machine room,
• Forward machine room,
• And a dedicated gearboxes room for the Gowind 200.

These features provide a high level of survivability in case of damage affecting any of the
compartments.

9.1. Propulsion choice

First, it was decided to use water jets which offer major advantages for a littoral combatant
ship:

• Higher efficiency for high speed,

• Low draft,
• Higher maneuverability,
• Better general arrangement.

Different propulsive options can then be chosen for this type of vessel:

• 2 shaft lines
• 3 shaft lines
• 4 shaft lines

After a parametric analysis, it was found that the best solution for this type of vessel is to use
three independent shaft lines: two “steering” and “reversing” wing lines and one “booster”
line. The advantages of each solution are presented in Table 2.

Table 2: Number of waterjet

Nb Waterjet 2 3 4
Weight - + ++
Cost - = =
Arrangement + ++ -
Efficiency - + -

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These types of architecture have some major advantages: good efficiency over the range of
speed and low weight propulsion.

9.2. CODAD version

The CODAD propulsion system is based on three independent propulsion lines.

Figure 14: GOWIND 170 propulsive architecture

Each lateral propulsion line comprises the following components:

• 1 or 2 Diesel Engine (DE) mounted on a single suspension

• 1 watertight gearbox,
• 1 shaftline driving a steering and reversing waterjet.

The central propulsion line includes:

• 2 Diesel Engines,
• 1 gearbox,
• 1 shaftline driving a booster waterjet.

Figure 15: CODAD General Arrangement

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9.3. CODAG version

The main difficulty for the CODAG version is to incorporate a gas turbine in a small
warship. Big gas turbines such as LM2500 or MT30 were eliminated for the following
reasons:

• Limitation of he size of he propulsion compartments and the depth of the ship,

• Difficulties to cool the exhaust gases with a powerful gas turbine.

So, the design philosophy was to juxtapose different small gas turbines (like TF100 or
ST40), directly flanged on gearboxes, to reach the needed power.

Figure 16: GOWIND 170 CODAG propulsive architecture

10. CONCLUSION

The Gowind corvettes have been designed with the objective of offering the best solution for
littoral warfare with:

• a well balanced combat system in all the warfare areas that can be easily adapted to
the specific needs of the customers,
• a high degree of survivability with the minimization of the ship’s signatures,
• A high speed with excellent seakeeping and maneuvering qualities.

The ships incorporate a high flexibility that allows the addition of both enhanced combat
system configurations and alternative platform system solutions. For this purpose, future
growth margins have been incorporated from the start of the design.

The vessels incorporate a high degree of automation for the combat system and the platform
systems that permits to conduct the different operations with a reduced crew. All the main
systems are linked to a single and modern network adapted to the growing needs of exchange
of information.

Moreover, the ships have a high habitability standard when compared to a modern naval
ship. Human factors were carefully taken into account in the design.

11. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors would like to acknowledge Mr François Lorin, the DCN naval architect who has
conducted the Gowind 120 design studies, and Bureau d’Etudes Mauric, particularly Mr
Jean-Charles Nahon, for their contribution to the Gowind 120 project.

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AUTHORS’ BIOGRAPHIES

Patrick Letty is the project manager for the Gowind corvettes project at
DCN Ingénierie. He has been employed by DCN since 1983. He has begun
his career as an engineer in the design offices of DCN and has been
working on various projects for the French Navy, firstly on submarines
then on surface ships. As a naval architect he has first gained his
experience as an assistant architect on the La Fayette class frigates and its
export derivatives. He has then conducted different projects in the field of
advanced naval vehicles such as surface effect ships. Since 2000 he is
involved in export projects.

Christophe Bouvier is the naval architect for the Gowind corvettes project
at DCN Ingénierie. He is graduate as naval architect from ENSIETA
(Ecole Nationale des Etudes et Techniques d’Armement), Brest, France.
He joined DCN in 1997 as hydrodynamic specialists. Since 2004, he is the
naval architect for the GOWIND Class corvettes at DCN.

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