News of Norway, issue 2, 2001
Umoe Mandal, at Gismerøya in Mandal, Norway has built the boat, which is first of its kind. Tests will determine if the U.S. Navy is willing to purchase Fast Patrol Boats from Umoe Mandal.
The vessel will leave Norway September 4 and is planned to arrive in Norfolk, Virginia September 17. A crew of 14 will accompany the boat, and four will stay in the U.S. throughout the test period.
"We have been through a long process in order to make this happen, but we have now succeeded", comments Norwegian Minister of Defense, Bjørn Tore Godal.
After being commissioned in April 1999, the KNM Skjold has carried out a thorough test program and participated in several exercises. The testing has been successful and in June this year, the Norwegian Parliament decided to build 5 more vessels of this class.
The highlighted features of the KNM Skjold are its high speed (up to 60 knot), low weight, and stealth materials designed for radar and absorption. In addition to shallow water capabilities, the boat is stable in high seas, has low fuel consumption, and large internal volume.
The boat will be equipped with NSM (New anti shipping missiles) missiles developed by the Norwegian company Kongsberg, however, this is not installed in the demo version. In preparations its the deployment to the U.S., the KNM Skjold was repainted in light colors for operations in a warmer climate.
The abbreviation KNM - Kongelige Norske Marine - means Royal Norwegian Navy.