15 SHALDAG FPC_15 SHALDAG FPC 9/1/11 1:35 PM Seite 79 SPECIAL SHIP Fig. 1: SHALDAG – Full power on sea. (All photos courtesy of Israel Shipyard Ltd.) at Israel Shipyards under the management of Admiral Ze’ev Almog (retired Commander of the IN), who all were well familiar with the IN needs. They have closely followed the devel- opment stages for ensuring a positive outcome. The SHALDAG was developed and built by Israel Shipyards Ltd. (ISL), and was upgraded several times over the years based on combat experience gained. The original design was aim- ing at the ‘50-50’ formula, which means 50 tons displacement and 50 knots speed. Since at the time of development there was no similar craft that could reach the 50 knots speed, there was a need to construct a proto type. The first SHALDAG MK I was therefore built in 1989 and launched in 1990 to answer the concept of fast and highly manoeuvrable craft, self financed by ISL. Intensive series of sea trials were carried out to confirm that the defined performance was indeed achieved. Over the years, and due to dif- ferent customers’ requirements, the full load dis- placement increased to 58 tons and speed decreased to 47 knots. WOLFGANG LEGIEN ROLE The SHALDAG Fast Patrol Craft is designed to serve as a naval vessel as well as a Border SHALDAG Police (see figure 2) and Coast Guard unit. It is a combat proven craft, designed for coastal defence and security, where high intercept speed FAST PATROL CRAFT and immediate response are required. The SHALDAG mission roles include: • terrorist activities interdiction; • coastal and internal waterways defence The SHALDAG is a combat proven GENESIS against illegal activities and smuggling of vessel serving the Israeli Navy and oth- The initial detailed design was developed by drugs and/or armaments; er navies and security forces for many Israel Shipyards Ltd, as a result of the Israeli • interception of hostile vessels; years with the full satisfaction of cus- Navy (IN) needs for a fast patrol craft for pro- • fishery control; tomers. The SHALDAG is successful- tecting the Israeli coast against the increasing • protecting natural resources against unautho- ly serving in Europe, Asia and Africa terrorist threat. The design was carried out at the rised exploitation; end of the 1980ies, due to the fact that Navies • preventing illegal immigration; and it is also marketed in Latin Ameri- were looking for new and improved solutions • offshore facilities protection; ca, where Israel Shipyards has ongoing for the increasing threats to assets along the coast • search and rescue operations; negotiations with potential customers. and for offshore facilities. • detecting and fighting sea pollution. Commander Israeli Navy (ret.) Avi The protecting naval forces recognised that Shahaf, provides details of the ship’s there was a global shift from local wars into ‘low DESIGN genesis, role, design, ship data, propul- intensity conflicts’. At the same period also the The craft is designed with outstanding per- sion, sensors, armaments and other pay- technology of drilling at sea for oil and natural formance requirements in mind: load, and he answers questions of gas was developed and the need to protect off- • high acceleration enables the SHALDAG to shore facilities and assets emerged. reach the speed of 40 knots in about 40 sec- NAVAL FORCES Editor-in-Chief. The operational requirements were defined onds, and high speed in rough seas – in order by ex-Israel Navy officers that were employed to be faster than the targets; NAVAL FORCES IV/2011 79 15 SHALDAG FPC_15 SHALDAG FPC 9/1/11 1:35 PM Seite 80 SPECIAL SHIP • outstanding manoeuvring performance such imum resistance even in rough seas, with a pow- • to change from ‘ahead’ to ‘astern’, there is no as a turning diameter of about 150m at a speed erful propulsion system comprised of two diesel need to disengage the gear, and therefore no of 40 knots, and to be able to quickly respond engines and two water jets. A huge effort was change of the rotation direction of the gear- to an evasive/firing target; invested in choosing the best propulsion system. box. The change is done much faster and • excellent sea keeping characteristics such as Compared to surface propelled vessel the smoother, without need to stop the shaft; very low slamming in all weather conditions, water-jet is more suitable for coastal defence • water-jets are designed to absorb maximum also to reduce crew fatigue and to improve missions. Main advantages are: engine power at any boat speed, which results crew response abilities and firing; • no exposed propeller to hit underwater in longer engine life; • dry deck at all speeds for easier crew move- objects; • reliability and lower maintenance require- ment at sea; • lower noise and vibration level; ments. • easy to operate and maintain; • no cavitation, even at very high speeds; • high reliability with very low failure rate; • the water-jet impeller is made of stainless Over the years ISL have developed various • very shallow draft, in order to approach the steel, stronger than the CuNiAl or NiAl types of the SHALDAG (MK II – MK V, see shore, and even beach it if required. bronze propellers; figure 3), as a result of gained operational expe- • the manoeuvrability of a water-jet propelled rience and according to customers’ require- Therefore the SHALDAG was built as a ful- boat is significantly better, due to the high side ments. Constant improvement of the platforms ly-planing deep-vee, hard chine craft with min- thrust vector generated by the steering bucket; was a practical path through a continuous com- SHALDAG: SYNONYM FOR AN UNSURPASSED ‘TAILOR-MADE’ FAST PATROL CRAFT tion to be the first to open fire at close range. SHAHAF: A huge effort was invested in choos- Hence there was a need for a very fast craft, with ing the best propulsion system. Compared to sur- high manoeuvrability that has a very high ratio face propelled vessel the water-jet is more suit- of firepower to displacement, for facing such able for coastal defence missions. Some of the challenges and offering very fast reaction. The advantages are: (1) No exposed propeller to hit SHALDAG gave the answer to these needs and underwater objects; (2) lower noise and vibra- changes of doctrines of coastal defence. tion levels; (3) no cavitation (if the size is prop- erly chosen); (4) the manoeuvrability of a water- NAVAL FORCES: What was the deciding fac- jet propelled boat is superior; (5) water-jets are tor for selecting a water-jet vice water piercing designed to absorb maximum engine power at propellers? any boat speed, which results in longer engine Fig. A: The SHALDAG is constructed as a ‘tailor-made’ craft and it is servicing Avi Shahaf different types of coastal defence units, such as Navies, Coast Guards, Border Police (Commander Israel Navy ret.) served (Romanian Border Police SHALDAG seen here), Marine Police, Customs. in the Israeli Navy between 1968 and 1989 in various sea and HQ duties, as Commanding Officer of a Sa’ar-4 missile boat, and as Flotilla Commander of Fast Patrol Boats. From 1989 he was Marketing Manager at Israel Shipyards Ltd. (ISL) and took up his present position as General Manager ISL. He holds a BA in Economics and Business Administration of the University of Haifa. NAVAL FORCES: What was the idea behind developing the SHALDAG? AVI SHAHAF: The need for a fast Patrol Craft with very good manoeuvrability was raised as a result of the world-wide change from regional and local wars to low intensi- ty confrontations, and the increase of the ter- ror threat. The common scenario was that the intruders were trying to hide their intentions and become part of merchant or fishing boats in their region. Due to these tactics, the pro- tective vessel needed to get very close for positive identification, and then it was exposed to their fire, as they were in a posi- 80 NAVAL FORCES IV/2011 15 SHALDAG FPC_15 SHALDAG FPC 9/1/11 1:35 PM Seite 81 SPECIAL SHIP Fig. 2: The SHALDAG Fast Patrol Craft is designed to serve as a naval vessel as well as a Marine Police (Romanian Border Police SHALDAG seen here) or Coast Guard unit. bulkheads (in some designs five bulk- heads). The main bat experience feedback from the IN and other speed diesel engines, which drive two water-jets boat compartments are arranged as follows: users. The craft is capable to operate up to sea incorporating steering and reversing gear. • fore peak; state 4 with reduced performance and survive Propulsion machinery is located aft. The hull is • ammunition store & sanitary spaces; up to sea state 6. Power is provided by two high divided by four structural transverse watertight • accommodation for 10-14 crew members; life avoiding engine overload; (6) reliability and SHAHAF: We believe that the SHALDAG is lower maintenance requirements. the best design for Fast Patrol Craft, due to its very high speed, excellent manoeuvrability, NAVAL FORCES: It is understood that the exceptional seakeeping, and the ability to carry SHALDAG comes in various designs, like an up to 6 tons of combat payload. It is a combat open bridge aft of the command centre. Does proven vessel that is constantly upgraded based this indicate that the customer is free to select on gained experience and feedback from the superstructure and internal deck configuration? users. Also the contribution of the advanced SHAHAF: Indeed, the SHALDAG is con- Israeli Defence Industries helps making it the structed as a ‘tailor-made’ craft and since it is best available solution for coastal defence. At servicing different types of coastal defence units the same time the maintenance of the (see figure A), such as Navies, Coast Guards, SHALDAG and its systems is relatively very Border Police, Marine Police, Customs.