Upgraded Bahraini corvette

Upgraded Bahraini corvette

The Royal Bahrain Naval Forces corvette RBNS Al-Manama, alongside at NAVDEX, is one of two MGB 62-class vessels recently modernised by Leonardo (Stand 06-B07) under a contract signed in 2015.

Upgrades include new surveillance and fire control radars, and an electro-optical director. While Leonardo has not disclosed details, the sensors concerned are thought to be the company’s SPS-732 X-band 2D surveillance radar, the NA-25X radar/electro-optical weapon control system, and the Medusa Mk4/B electro-optical director.

Al-Manama was handed back to the Royal Bahrain Naval Forces in January 2018 after completing its modernisation refit. In November 2018, the company announced that it re-delivered sister vessel RNBS Al-Muharraq to the Royal Bahrain Naval Forces.

Safely on board

BY RICHARD SCOTT

One of the more novel systems on display at this year’s NAVDEX exhibition is a stealthy and lightweight jet board designed to support a range of maritime missions.

Developed by Swedish company SOAL Marine, the Kraka board is claimed to be “the first inflatable, lightweight electric board on the market, filling the gap where other small floating devices fail due to shape, loading capacity, draft or noise”. Quickly inflated and easily assembled, the board has been designed for use from land, helicopters, submarines and other vessels.

SOAL Marine has conceived the Kraka for situations at sea where caution, safety and agility are crucial for the mission success. Examples include rescue operations, boardings, and clandestine missions where stealth is paramount.

The board itself is made of lightweight and durable composite and inflatable materials, and is driven by an ultra-quiet 11kW brushless electric motor. This delivers the torque necessary to transport four personnel at speeds of up to 15kt; a precisionmachined impeller and housing parts ensure maximised efficiency. Power is provided by a highquality lithium ion cell battery, which delivers between 30 and 60 minutes of ride, depending on load and speed.

Based on user feedback, Kraka has been designed to facilitate maximum ease of use, both in and out of the water. For example, the battery pack is easily swapped by a single movement. Another characteristic of Kraka is its compact size when deflated and packed, which makes it easy to carry or handle on board helicopters and boats. Safety features include temperature monitoring and automatic system shutdown if the board is turned upside down.

SOAL Marine offers two-man and four-man Kraka boards. Both are also available without engine packs for towing purposes.