Dutch Navy’s OPV Holland Gets Integrated Mast Module

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Dutch Navy's OPV Holland Gets Integrated Mast Module

After successful platform trials, handover to the Netherlands Defence Materiel Organisation(DMO) and initial tests by the Royal Netherlands Navy the first OPV Holland returned to DAMEN Schelde Naval Shipbuilding in Vlissingen for the installation of the Integrated Mast Module (IMM).

The installation was successfully completed in the past weeks and the ship integration tests are presently in progress. The installation of the Integrated Mast Module is the last major step before the ship will be transferred to the Royal Netherlands Navy.

The innovative and state of the art IMM was developed by Thales Nederland whereas the mast’s structural design and construction was carried out by the Naval Maintenance Establishment in Den Helder. After an extensive testing period of six months, which took place in Hengelo, the IMM was transported by ship to DAMEN Schelde Naval Shipbuilding in Vlissingen for installation.

The IMM, type I-400, is equipped with, among other things, ‘high definition’ and infrared cameras, air and surface surveillance and tracking radars, as well as an extensive integrated communication system including Satellite Communications. With the IMM-400 the OPV’s of the Holland class are able to effectively conduct Maritime Security and Safety Operations as well as traditional low end naval tasks. This includes operations with the organic Helicopter (NH-90) and two organic Fast Raiding, Interception and Special Forces Craft (FRISC) as well as other ships, aircraft, helicopters and interceptors.

After transfer of the ship to the Royal Netherlands Navy an extensive test & trial program is foreseen that will be conducted by the Netherlands DMO organisation and Royal Netherlands Navy in cooperation with Thales Nederland. Therefore, for the larger part of a year the Holland’s crew, led by Commander Chris van den Berg, will be involved in testing all the mast’s systems. According to DMO’s project leader, Rob Zuiddam.

 

Patrol ships

The Holland is the first ship in the Holland class, a series of four Oceangoing Patrol Vessels (OPV) for the Royal Netherlands Navy. These 108-meter long, flexibly deployable patrol ships, with a crew of 50, will make a significant contribution to international law enforcement and security (Maritime Security Operations).

The first two patrol vessels, “Holland” and “‘Zeeland” have been built at the shipyard of Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding in Vlissingen, with a number of sections being supplied by the Damen shipyard in Galati. The Holland, which was christened on February 2, 2010 by Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, is expected to formally be commissioned by mid 2012.

The third and fourth vessels, “Friesland” and “Groningen” are built at the Damen shipyard in Galati under the supervision of Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding. Partial SAT for the “Friesland” have been successfully completed last September. Presently she is at the Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding yard for final outfitting of certain systems and components.

 

DAMEN SCHELDE NAVAL SHIPBUILDING:

The Damen Shipyards Group offers a complete range of naval and patrol vessels ranging from 7 to over 200 meters.

Part of this portfolio are the Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding (DSNS) naval combatants and auxiliaries, embodied by the SIGMA and ENFORCER series.

At present DSNS also has under construction for the Royal Netherlands Navy: a Joint Logistic Support Ship (JSS), the largest military vessel built by DSNS so far. For the Royal Moroccan Navy DSNS has two SIGMA frigates under construction, the first SIGMA frigate was transferred to the Royal Moroccan Navy on 10 September 2011.

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Naval Today Staff , November 29, 2011; Image: damen