14. starptautiskā konference 2012 - Latvijas Jūras akadēmija

Proceedings of 14th International conference „Maritime Transport and Infrastructure - 2012”The significance of special operations and naval special operations in last year’s continues togrow. The main reason for that is the problem of piracy in different parts of the world like Somalia,Brazil, Strait of Malacca near Singapore in South-East Asia and other.2. The development of multipurpose amphibious ships and other multipurpose shipsfor special operation supportIn the near future the SOF equipment will develop. The main development will be towardsSOF personal security, intelligence, observation, different lethal and non-lethal weapons systemsdevelopment and/or modernization, operations effectiveness, ports and special operationsinfrastructure and vessels security. The detection equipment will be developed for reason to detectenemy SOF, pirates and other threats. The rescue equipment will be developed. The multipurposeamphibious ships and other support ships are the excellent platform to help SOF do their tasks in thedifferent parts of the world.The different doctrines developed in recent past and present time have articulated the need ofmaritime forces that are mobile, flexible and versatile, able to react and/or redeploy quickly, capableof operating in crisis, conflict or humanitarian relief scenarios and able to sustain operations at reachfor extended periods. These tasks are very close to tasks, what SOF do. So, the demands andrequirements of SOF playing important role, when different types of multipurpose amphibious ships(MAS) and other support and battle ships are projected, developed, constructed and modernized.Several navies in recent years developed requirements for MAS designs combining themultiple attributes of a multi-spot aviation capability; protected load/offload and berthing forwatercraft; excellent command, control and communications (C3); organic medical/primary carefacilities; possibility to support different operations and special operations and a large internal volumefor the transport of personal and material. Given budgetary pressures, shipbuilders have sought toleverage mercantile standards and shipbuilding practices wherever practical to create what areessentially “hybrid” warships. The result is a new generation of affordable, European designed landinghelicopter dock (LHD) vessels designed to be the centerpiece of a national or coalition task group.They are the multipurpose ships of the modern navy [2].The advantages of hybrid ships are possibility to quickly install and change the equipment fordifferent tasks. Because of these constructions one ship can perform different tasks, what can helpreduce the number of ships in the navy, reduce the number of different ship types. The disadvantage isnecessity to have special equipment for mission modules change, that make this ships moredependable from ports infrastructure. The exploitation costs are higher, because the construction ofthose ships is more complicate.In this chapter author will analyze the several main types of MAS what are under developmentat present time and will be used in future for different special operations support in world seas andoceans and other tasks.The different MAS types are used and will be used for SOF logistical, medical, informationand intelligence support. The aviation groups, located on these ships can make air strike support,intelligence, material supply. The aircraft can be used for insertion and evacuation of SOF troops. TheMAS is used and will be used for SOF support when they operate far away from their main homebases, making anti piracy and other special operations.The 1st MAS type is “Mistral” class (France) command and projection ships of French navy.The first two of this class is in service for French navy from 2006, the third will follow in the end of2012, 4th is planned. This MAS have been conceived to meet the French navy requirement for newcapital platforms for undertaking crisis management and force projection missions, intended to enableforce projection onto a lightly defended coast by air and sea, sustain force elements ashore and provideoperational command and control, support for special operations [2].The prime contractor for “Mistral” class of MAS ships is Shipbuilder Company DCNS(France), the main subcontractors is STX France Company and Stocznia Remontowa GdanskCompany. The “Mistral” class MAS displaces 21,500 tons fully loaded and 199 meter in length. Itsdesign is characterized by a six-spot, 5,200 m2 flight desk, served by 2 elevators from a 1,800 m2103