Naval Systems Projections Database
The Naval Systems Projections Database (herein after referred to as NSPD) was developed by AMI International to serve as a means of assisting clients in entered orders forecasting, future market potential analysis, and future competitive market share analysis.
Ship Types
Vessel type categories were developed to describe the worldwide market with the degree of fidelity necessary to be accurate and meaningful for business development and strategic marketing purposes. The vessel type definitions are provided at the end of this document as well as via a link on our homepage.
NSPD Field Definitions
General Program Data Fields
Vessel Types
AMI categorizes vessel types on the basis of ship function, size, speed, armament, and overall sensor/combat system capability. The detail characteristics of different vessel types is described at the end of this document.
This field serves as a means to categorize the various vessel types into general segments in order that this field can serve the need of quickly sorting the entire ship naval future market into discernable segments. This should be meaningful for business development and strategic marketing purposes.
Vessel Type Definitions
Frigates (FF or FFG)
A frigate is a medium-sized surface combatant (between 2,000 and 5,000 tons) that is either suited for one specific role (anti-submarine warfare or anti-air warfare), or has lesser all-around capabilities than a destroyer. A frigate may be less capable than a destroyer, but is still a relatively sophisticated and expensive (averaging around US$325 million apiece) platform. A frigate is generally the smallest surface combatant that can conduct extended blue-water missions in a high-threat environment.
Corvettes (FS)
Corvettes are fast (around 25 knots or better), well-armed ships that displace between 700 and 2000 tons. A corvette is generally not intended for extended ocean-going operations, and is best suited for regional operations. Corvettes are generally the smallest platforms capable of accommodating the sensors, weapons, and combat systems needed to operate in a medium threat environment. Corvettes are sometimes referred to as light frigates (FFLs). It can be assumed that the hull design for a corvette and that of an offshore patrol vessel are very similar. The differences will be in propulsion and outfitting. Corvettes will have higher speed and therefore less endurance and range than OPV, much greater armament, and less space for provisions and habitability.
Fast Attack Craft (FAC, also referred to as PTGs or PCGs)
FACs are small (under 700 tons), fast (over 25 knots) vessels that are intended for quick, hit-and-run strike operations within 100 miles of the coast. FACs are primarily armed for a limited anti-surface warfare (ASUW) mission. They may bristle with a number of guns, torpedoes, and surface-to-surface missiles (SSMs) and thus present a credible threat to surface ships. However, a FAC lacks the range, seakeeping qualities and defensive systems needed to operate independently for any extended length of time in a high or medium-threat environment. FACs are generally employed by nations that plan to operate them close to shore, or in the shelter of archipelagoes (e.g. the Aegean, Norwegian fjords, or the South China Sea). Generally, FAC hulls are thin and made of aluminum or steel. Because of their thin hulls, modifications are more difficult to make and life expectancy is reduced.
Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV)
In response to a number of environmental and economic concerns, world navies and/or coast guards developed a type of patrol vessel, the OPV, which is capable of patrolling the waters of an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) for extended lengths of time. By virtue of its mission, an OPV must be relatively large (generally over 700 tons) to possess the necessary range and seakeeping characteristics needed for extended offshore patrols. The higher in latitude a Navy operates (North or South of the Equator), the larger the wave heights and therefore the larger an OPV will be. For example India operates in waters that are known for very rough conditions. Some Indian OPVs are beyond 2,000 tons displacement. An OPV is often built to commercial standards and is slower (generally around 20 knots) than its corvette and frigate cousins. However, some nations will build OPVs with space and weight margins for future weapons upgrades. These types of OPVs will generally be built to naval standards including hull and equipment shock requirements. An OPV is generally lightly armed (a medium-sized gun), but is sometimes fitted to carry surface-to-surface missiles (SSMs) or ASW equipment in wartime. Most new construction OPVs are also equipped with a helicopter deck and hangar to enhance its patrol capabilities. It can be assumed that the hull design for a corvette and that of an offshore patrol vessel are very similar. The differences will be in propulsion and outfitting for each application. Offshore patrol vessels will have slower speed, less armament, and greater space for provisions and habitability thereby allowing for greater endurance and range.
Patrol Vessels
This vessel type category will include the following patrol vessel types:
Patrol Boat (PBs) – Patrol Boats are smaller than OPVs and larger than PCs, thus filling the range between 100 and 700 tons. A PB is designed for multi-day patrol operations (anti-smuggling, search and rescue, coastal security, etc.) in coastal waters. A PB is often armed with a small to medium caliber gun (typically a 76mm and/or 40mm gun) and machine guns. It may also be fitted for, but not with, surface-to-surface missiles (SSMs).
Patrol Craft (PC) – Patrol craft are small (under 100 tons) and are intended to conduct short patrols (anti-smuggling, search and rescue, harbor security, etc.) in relatively sheltered coastal waters, harbors, or rivers. Patrol craft are lightly armed (usually machine guns) and have limited range.
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