Endurance-160 Sighting At Singapore Airshow As F-35B Buy Nears

A glimpse of the Singaporean navy’s future may be on display in the exhibit hall at the 2020 Singapore Airshow. ST Engineering is showing a model of the Endurance-class aircraft carriers, including the latest proposed designs that pave the way for future F-35B operations. 

Singapore has selected the Lockheed Martin F-35B, with a contract pending a possible signing during the show. The F-35B would be unable to operate from Singapore’s current landing platform dock ships, with the superstructure located fore of the helicopter deck. 

Singapore Engineering has proposed a new family of Endurance-class ships, with the 160-m.-long Endurance 160 and the 170 m.-class Endurance 170. The new designs feature a configuration similar to the US Navy’s Landing Helicopter Dock fleet, with the superstructure moved to the starboard side of the vessel. The design change opens the aircraft deck to nearly the full length of the ship.