The MEKO A is a combat battleship, which is designed by Blohm and Voss, evolved from the MEKO family battleships which have been in operation with navies around the world. The frigate is equipped with twenty four-cell launchers for MBDA MM 40 Exocet surface-to-surface missiles. The anti-ship sea-skimming missile has a range of 70km and uses inertial guidance for the cruise phase of the trajectory and then active radar homing.
courtesy image of www.navy.mil.com
Two eight-cell vertical 16 Umkhonto surface-to-air missiles are fitted. Umkhonto, developed by the Kentron division of Denel based in Centurion, South Africa, has a range of up to 12km. The missile use an advanced infra-red homing seeker with inertial mid-course guidance.
Hull panels are alternately angled to avoid large flat surfaces, an arrangement called 'X-form'. Right angle corners are avoided and the decks and superstructure have been decluttered. The bridge wings present on the original MEKO have been eliminated and the bridge is completely enclosed.
The frigate is equipped with the RTS 6400 naval optronic technology and advanced radar tracking battleship system developed by Reutech Systems, Stellenbosch. The X-band (I/J bands) radar detection range is more than 25 km against fighter targets and more than 16 km against missile targets in poor weather. The dual-band thermal imaging sensor operates in 3-5 and 8-12 micron wavebands. The system incorporates an eyesafe laser range finder for battleship. Least, this ship will be produce as soon as possible to supply the international demand of advanced technology battleship.
