Modern wars hips are divided into several categories and are classified according to their role and capability. The destroyer is generally regarded as the dominant surfacecombat vessel of most modern blue water navies. However, the once distinct roles and appearances of cruisers, destroyers, frigates and corvettes have blurred as modern warships, and are armed with a mix of antisurface, anti-submarine and anti-aircraft weapons. Class designations no longer indicate a displacement hierarchy and the size of all vessel types have grown beyond the definitions used in the 20th century. The evolving technologies and need for sophistication in future naval combatants demand several new design features giving the ship enhanced operational capabilities in terms of hull design, stealth, propulsion, power systems and a suite of sensor, weapon and communication systems to match the role and capability requirements.

The operational battle space environment is dense and complex. Data from the sensors and systems are transmitted in real time to the command centre and it integrates this data and the information from external sources including data links, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and airborne warning and control system. A computer-aided action information organisation (CAIO) system compiles, maintains and displays the tactical situation and provides real time battlefield awareness. The combat management system (CMS) provides the decision support functions to take or suggest the best decision in real time for designating the optimum weapon system for the threat detected.

The future ship building programme of the Indian Navy will have an increasing thrust on indigenous design, construction, equipment and systems. Evolving technologies and need for multiplicity of roles of future warships call for adopting bold new strategies in design and construction. Stealth technologies and special hull design will give the modern warship a reduced radar cross section as well as electromagnetic, acoustic and infrared signatures. Advanced propulsion and power management systems will provide the speed, reach and capability to operate the sensors, weapons and other equipment, plant and machinery on board.

The Modern Warship

The modern warship should have a multirole, multi-mission capability. This ship should be capable of operating in a multithreat, multi-dimensional scenario, including space and information warfare. It should be capable of a wide range of surface warfare, anti-aircraft/missile defence, anti-surface warfare, electronic warfare, information warfare missions by using weapons and sensors in a net-enabled environment in blue waters and littorals scenarios. It should have multi-source data fusion and system integration for target detection, identification, tracking, threat evaluation, weapon designation, fire control solutions and weapon systems.

The Sensor Suite

The sensors on board should be capable of detecting airborne threats, surface targets, low flying (sea skimming) missiles and submarines. They should be capable of detecting electromagnetic and infrared signals. Electro-optic sensors would also be used in close-in situations.

• Gunnery Sensors: Active electronically scanned array 3D multi-function radars for anti-surface warfare/antiaircraft defence/anti-missile defence systems for detection, tracking and weapon directing and control for engagement from close-in to long ranges. Also, radars for navigation and coastal surveillance and capability for identification of friend or foe (IFF).
• Anti-submarine Warfare (ASW) Sensors: Active sonar with the wet end covering complete sonar frequency band and advanced signal processing for detection, identification and classification of targets. Passive sonar would be capable of long-range detection. The sonar would be capable of mixed mode operation for submarine/torpedo detection modes. Mine hunting sonar and towed array active/passive sonar and torpedo decoy systems will provide additional capability for underwater warfare. The helicopter carried on board will carry dipping sonar to add to the underwater detection capability.
• Electronic Surveillance Measures: Wide band, comprehensive electronic warfare/direction finder suite with interand intra-pulse emitter finger printing capability. Active and passive electronic countermeasures using non-rotating emitters would be installed to neutralise the EW threat. Infra-red surveillance systems, thermal imagers, stabilised electro-optronic system would add additional capability to the sensor suite.
• Navigation System: Navigation radar with automatic radar plotting aid, electronic navigation charts and electronic chart display system, ring laser gyro, global positioning system (GPS), inertial navigation system, automatic identification system, log, echo sounder, and anemometer provide not only for navigating the ship but also data to the sensors and weapons systems.
• Communication System: The communication system comprises of a comprehensive suite for secure multi-channel, multi-mode (voice, data, multimedia), surface and space communication, software radio, control and exploitation of medium/highaltitude long endurance (M/HALE) UAVs, global maritime distress safety system; all exploited via integrated masts. The internal communications suite consists of intercoms, broadcasts and telephones.
• CAIO and CMS: The CAIO enables seamless data transfer to and from sensors, weapons, and navigation and communication systems; provides information fusion with in-built high grade security and decision support aids; and presents various tactical pictures to the command and combat team. The CMS has decision support features for threat evaluation, target indication and weapon designation which are fully integrated with fire control and weapon systems onboard.

Weapon Systems

The weapon systems on board should be capable of engaging airborne targets, surface targets, low flying (sea skimming) missiles and submarines at medium-to longranges. They should be capable of engaging close-in threats and provide point defence.

• Gunnery Weapons: The gunnery weapons would be an appropriate mix of various missiles and guns to meet the requirements of engaging with all types of threats. Typically these would comprise land attack capable cruise missiles, long-range surface-to-air missiles capable of defeating airborne threats emanating from sea skimming and high diving missiles and aircraft, fully-automatic twin barrel electromagnetic rail or compact stealth turret with capability of firing operator selectable different types of munitions, combined multi-barrel and missile capable close-in weapon system/point defence missile system for short and medium-range anti-air, anti-surface and anti-missile defence purposes.
• ASW Weapons: Vertical launch light weight torpedoes capable of sustained run at high speed with operator selectable vertical and horizontal search patterns. The torpedo transducer is operator configurable as per bathymetric and tactical considerations. The ship-borne helicopter would be capable of carrying torpedoes so as to get stand-off advantage.
• Countermeasure Dispenser System: Capable of deploying advanced antiair/AMD countermeasures like super rapid blooming off board chaff and multiple types of anti-torpedo decoys for hard kill, acoustic seducers and wake enhancers.
• Aviation Capability: The ship will have helicopter deck and hangar capable of operating a heavy lift helicopter, multirole, multi-mission capable medium-lift helicopter plus tactical UAV. It would be capable of deploying M/HALE UAVs.