New catamaran concept aims at including drone and loitering munition support for Austal’s trademark approach to naval shipbuilding.
One of the more intriguing concepts visitors could glimpse at Sydney’s Indopacific 2023, which ran from 4th to 6th November, was the “MANTA” drone mothership and multirole catamaran by Henderson, WA-based shipbuilder Austal. The acronym stands for “Multimission Autonomous Network Transporter (Armed)”. “MANTA” is based on Austal’s existing “Expeditionary Fast Transport” (EPF) in service with the US Navy and the “High Speed Vessel” (HSV) built for Oman.
Basic specifications are a length of 78 metres, a beam of 19.3 metres, a crew of 20 and accommodation for a further 30 personnel. The catamaran would be capable of a top speed of 30 knots and a range of up to 2,700 km at 12.5 knots. Propulsion features four 4,300 kW diesel engines driving four waterjets.
Living up to a role focus, the “MANTA” drone mothership would offer space for a mission bay including moon pool supporting UUVs, a wide range of containerized and modular weapons options and CEAFAR 2-radar integration. “Manta” features a helicopter landing deck and aviation workshop supporting a Seahawk-type helicopter or helicopter-drones up to MQ-8C-size, but lacks a hangar.
The weapons suggested for “Manta” cover a broad spectrum aimed at antiship and land attack-roles, but also offering robust self defence capability against aerial threats. They include launchers for traditional and Harpy-type loitering munitions, Spike NLOS-type light strike missiles and smaller loitering drones in a variety of combinations. “Manta” can also integrate a RIM-116 RAM-launcher, MASS-type decoy systems and a 35 mm-autocannon on the foredeck.
Illustrating the very wide range of applications, “Manta” optionally also features “The Cube” containerized solutions (by Danish company SH Defence) for mine warfare, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR). A notable emphasis is on the multi-mission bay supporting the deployment of large UUVs via the side doors and smaller drones through a moon pool integrated in the bay.
In conclusion, “Manta” appears to leverage Austal’s proven capacity to develop and field innovative catamaran-type designs applied to current and anticipated threats and roles focusing on drone operation- and multi-mission capability. The design emphasizes an inherent advantage in multihull-type vessels maximizing deck and stowage space while retaining high mobility.
Its derivation from existing design and integration of fielded and combat-proven weapon systems should in theory provide a relatively cost-effective design, although engineering challenges in terms of sensor integration and damage control are unknowns at this stage.
Stern segment behind landing deck supports more armament including AShM. Alternatively fitting of ASW gear including towed arrays was also displayed.