Visby Class Corvette
Type: corvette
Domain: sea
Country of Origin: Sweden
Manufacturer: Saab Kockums
First Deployed: 2009
Overview
World's first stealth corvette and one of the most innovative warship designs globally, featuring full carbon-fiber composite hull and superstructure for minimal radar cross-section. The Visby class displaces 640 tonnes with length of 73 metres. The entire hull and superstructure are constructed from carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) providing stealth characteristics, reduced weight, and non-magnetic signature for mine countermeasures. Radar cross-section reportedly comparable to a small fishing boat despite corvette size. Armed with Bofors 57mm Mk3 naval gun, 4x RBS 15 Mk3 anti-ship missiles (200+ km range), depth charges, and provisions for surface-to-air missiles. Propulsion via 4 waterjets powered by diesel and gas turbines for 35+ knots. The design emphasizes stealth, speed, and survivability in shallow Baltic Sea operations. Five boats in class: Visby, Helsingborg, Härnösand, Nyköping, and Karlstad — entering service 2009-2015. The Visby demonstrated revolutionary composite construction for naval vessels, though the initial production run was limited by cost. Sweden is developing Visby Generation 2 with heavier armament and larger displacement.
Technical Specifications
| hull | Carbon-fiber composite (full stealth shaping) |
|---|---|
| type | Stealth Corvette |
| ships | 5 operational |
| speed | 35+ knots |
| sensors | Sea Giraffe AMB radar; hull-mounted sonar; variable depth sonar |
| armament | 57mm Bofors Mk3 gun; RBS 15 Mk2 SSM; ASW torpedoes; depth charges |
| displacement | ~640 tonnes |
| manufacturer | Saab Kockums (Sweden) |
Operators
- Sweden
Related sea Weapon Systems
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- IAI Gabriel V - missile (Israel)
- Type 071 Yuzhao - amphibious (China)
- Akya - Heavy Torpedo (Turkey)
- Type 075 LHD - amphibious (China)
- Type 076 LHA - amphibious (China)
- Orka Class Submarine - submarine (Netherlands)
- Type 054A - frigate (China)
- Type 056A Jiangdao - corvette (China)
- AN/SPY-1 - Naval Multi-Function Radar (United States)