Small Ships for Littoral and Archipelago Operations: Turkish Kılıç Class

As we ponder the future of U.S. operations, it is a good idea to look to what other countries are doing.

For example, Turkey has the Kılıç (Sword) Class "corvettes" ("Assault Boats" seems to be the Turkish designation) which, ton for ton, are pretty well-armed, as set out here:

General
Type: FPB 57-052B
First of Class: Kilic
First Commissioning: 1998
Dimensions & Crew
Displacement: 554 t
Length: 62 m
Beam: 8.6 m
Draught: 2.6 m
Crew: 44 (+2 embarked)

Sensors

Lürssen Defence photo

Thales Command and Control System
1 x MW08
1x STING EO
Nav Radar
EO/IR
IFF
ESM
Link

Miscellaneous
1 RIB

Capabilities
ASuW
EW
Maritime Patrol and Surveillance Operations
Confined and Shallow Water Operations


Propulsion
4 Diesel
Total Power: 16,184 kW
Propellers: 4 x FPP
Speed: 40 kts

Weapons
1 x 76/62 Compact
1 x 40 mm double barrel
8 x RGM 84
SRBOC

These are a 20-year old design, but armed with uo to eight Harpoon missiles and operated as a squadron, can present a serious threat to other surface ships.

Designed by Lürssen which considers them "fast patrol boats."

For those obsessed with speed, 40 knots in a pinch, 3300 mile range at cruising speed of 16 knots, 1000 miles at 30 knots.

Nice post on this class at Naval Analyses: