waterjet on each shaft line. Two MTU 123 cruise diesel propulsion units used previously at loiter speeds were removed. The foredeck was strengthened to accommodate the addition of a 76 mm Otobreda Super Rapid gun. The hull material was produced by a different method to improve strength and minimize vulnerability to fire. The bridge saw some changes, including an upgrade to six weapon systems control consoles. In 2020, the Norwegian Government decided to further upgrade the Skjold-class vessels, partially to compensate for the loss of the frigate Helge Ingstad. The upgrades would take place between 2020 and 2024, permitting the Skjold-class to remain up-to-date through to 2030 when replacement vessels were envisaged under terms of the government's defence plan. US Navy The U.S. Navy and Coast Guard expressed interest in the design and leased the P960 for a period of one year, from 2001 until 2002. During that time it was operated by a 14-man Norwegian crew out of Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek. Vessels See also List of ships of the Norwegian Navy Similar ships (United Arab Emirates) (Finland) Steregushchiy-class corvette (Russia) Type 022 missile boat (People’s Republic of China) Milgem-class corvette (Turkey) (Greece) (Sweden) (Republic of China) References Saunders, Stephen "Jane's Fighting Ships 2003–2004" . External links Leo Lazauskas (2008) Performance characteristics of a 260t displacement SES. Dept. Applied Mathematics Report, The University of Adelaide, 19 February 2008. Norwegian Skjold class corvettes storm and steil in Plymouth Sound. 9 July 2015. Missile boats of the Royal Norwegian Navy Patrol vessels of Norway Military catamarans Stealth ships Corvette classes Patrol boat classes