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November 18, 2003

The Norwegian legislature, despite protests from military high command (over the cost), has voted to buy five more high tech Skjold class fast attack craft. The 260 ton Skjold class boats carry one 76mm cannon, plus eight anti-ship missiles (Kongsbergs, weighing 800 pounds each and with a range of 35 kilometers) and portable Mistral anti-aircraft missiles fired from a pedestal mount. The unique catamaran/air cushion design enable the boat to move fast even through rough seas. Top speed is over 100 kilometers an hour. Built of composites, the Skjolds are very stealthy and boxy in appearance (155 feet long and 45 feet wide). But they are expensive, costing over $100 million each. They are highly automated and only require a crew of fifteen (although as few as ten sailors can operate it). One has crossed the Atlantic to demonstrate the ship to the U.S. Navy. The ship can go 1400 kilometers on one load of fuel, and stay at sea for over 21 days at a time. In addition to 35-40 tons of fuel and water, the ship can carry 30-35 tons of weapons, including a hundred troops (for a few hours) in the aft missile bay (instead of the missiles). The first of this class was built in 199 as an experiment.