Visby class corvette
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Visby is a Swedish Navy class of corvettes named after the city of Visby and built by Kockums, Karlskrona. The class has received widespread international attention because of its stealth capabilities and network-centric design. The first ship was launched in June 2000.
It is made from carbon fibre, and its angular design reduces its radar signature (or cross-section). Its 57 mm cannon can be retracted to further reduce its radar cross section.
As of 2006, five ships of this class have been built:
- HMS Visby (K31) - 2000
- HMS Helsingborg (K32) - 2003
- HMS Härnösand (K33) - 2004
- HMS Nyköping (K34) - 2005
- HMS Karlstad (K35) - 2006
A Visby class corvette derivative competed in the American Focused Mission Vessel Study, led by Northrop Grumman in partnership with Kockums AB and Howaldtswerke Deutsche Werft AG (HDW). The program was a precursor to the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) program. It competed with several other concepts including Norway's Skjold class (part of a Raytheon lead group).
[edit] External links
- Kockums - Official homepage
- BBC article