Sachsen class frigate
Encyclopedia
The F124 Sachsen class is Germany
's latest class of highly advanced air-defense frigate
s. The design of the Sachsen class frigate is based on that of the F123 Brandenburg class
but with enhanced stealth
features intended to deceive any opponent's radar and acoustic sensors and incorporate also the advanced multifunction radar APAR
as well as the SMART-L
long-range radar which is claimed to be capable of detecting stealth aircraft and stealth missiles. Although designated as frigates, they are in capability and size comparable to destroyer
s.
With 2.1 billion Euro
for only three ships, this was one of the most expensive ship building programs of the German Navy
. They are similar to the Dutch De Zeven Provinciën class frigate
s. Both the Sachsen class and the De Zeven Provinciën class frigates are based on the use of a common primary anti-air warfare system built around the APAR
and SMART-L
radars and the area-defence SM-2
Block IIIA and point-defence Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) surface-to-air missiles.
In June 1996 the German government contracted for three ships with an option on a fourth that was provisionally to have been named as the Thüringen, but the option for this fourth ship was not taken up.
The F124 class frigates are larger and much more capable in all aspects than the Lütjens class destroyer
s, which they replaced.
and the multi-function radar APAR
. The SMART-L
and APAR
are highly complementary, in the sense that SMART-L
is a D band
radar providing very long range surveillance while APAR
is an I band
radar providing precise target tracking, a highly capable horizon search capability, and missile guidance using the Interrupted Continuous Wave Illumination (ICWI) technique, thus allowing guidance of 32 semi-active radar homing missiles in flight simultaneously, including 16 in the terminal guidance phase. The primary anti-air weapons are the point defence ESSM and the area defence SM-2
Block IIIA.
ESSM and the SM-2
Block IIIA, which are fired from a VLS Mk-41 32-cell launcher. Sachsen successfully completed firing trials with ESSM
and SM-2
in July / August 2004.
The F124 has two Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM)
Mk-31 launchers and two four-cell Harpoon missile launchers. The RAM missile from Raytheon and RAM Systems GmbH, is a fire-and-forget missile which provides short-range defense against incoming anti-ship missiles including sea-skimming missiles. The Boeing Harpoon is an autonomous all-weather anti-ship missile with range in excess of 65 nautical miles (120.4 km).
MLG 27 remote controlled autocannons.
A KMW PzH 2000
howitzer turret with a 155mm gun has been mounted on the deck of Hamburg as a demonstration of the feasibility of the system for naval applications. The concept is called MONARC and requires a flexible elastic mounting. MONARC has a range of 22 nmi (40.7 km). Live fire trials were conducted in September 2003.
SMART-L
long-range surveillance radar, the Thales Nederland
APAR
multi-function radar, and two STN Atlas
9600-M ARPA navigation radars.
The ship is also equipped with the Thales Nederland
Sirius IRST long-range infra-red surveillance and tracking sensor. The STN Atlas
MSP 500 electro-optical fire control system provides target acquisition and tracking for the main gun. The bow sonar is the STN Atlas
Elektronik DSQS-24B.
propulsion system, CODAG. The two operating shafts work independently. The diesel engines are installed in a non-walkable sound-proof capsule. The shafts drive two five-bladed controllable pitch propellers.
In diesel mode, one of the diesel engines (type MTU 20V 1163 TB93) is operated via two main gearboxes and one cross-connection gearbox. The peak performance of the diesel provides 7,400 kW at 1,350 rpm.
The ship has an operating range of 4000 nmi (7,408 km) at a cruising speed of 18 knots (35.3 km/h) in diesel mode.
In gas turbine mode, the gas turbine (model GE7 LM2500 PF/MLG) provides 23,500 kW and 3,600 rpm, operating two main gearboxes and the cross-connection gearbox.
In combined diesel and gas propulsion mode (CODAG-mode), both diesel engines and the gas turbine engine are operated. The maximum speed of the ship is 29 knots (56.8 km/h).
and 10 SM-2
Block IIIA missiles. The tests included firings against target drones such as the Northrup Grumman BQM-74E Chukkar III and Teledyne Ryan BQM-34S Firebee I, as well as against missile targets such as the Beech AQM-37C and air-launched Kormoran 1 anti-ship missiles.
All three vessels form part of the 2. Fregattengeschwader (2nd Frigate Squadron) based in Wilhelmshaven
.
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
's latest class of highly advanced air-defense frigate
Frigate
A frigate is any of several types of warship, the term having been used for ships of various sizes and roles over the last few centuries.In the 17th century, the term was used for any warship built for speed and maneuverability, the description often used being "frigate-built"...
s. The design of the Sachsen class frigate is based on that of the F123 Brandenburg class
Brandenburg class frigate
The F123 Brandenburg class is a class of German frigate. They were ordered by the German Navy in June 1989, and then completed and commissioned between 1994 and 1996 to replace the Hamburg class destroyers...
but with enhanced stealth
Stealth technology
Stealth technology also termed LO technology is a sub-discipline of military tactics and passive electronic countermeasures, which cover a range of techniques used with personnel, aircraft, ships, submarines, and missiles, to make them less visible to radar, infrared, sonar and other detection...
features intended to deceive any opponent's radar and acoustic sensors and incorporate also the advanced multifunction radar APAR
Active Phased Array Radar
APAR is a shipborne multifunction radar developed and manufactured by Thales Nederland. It is the first Active Electronically Scanned Array MFR employed on an operational warship.-Characteristics:...
as well as the SMART-L
SMART-L
SMART-L is a naval long-range search radar from Thales Nederland, formerly Hollandse Signaalapparaten ....
long-range radar which is claimed to be capable of detecting stealth aircraft and stealth missiles. Although designated as frigates, they are in capability and size comparable to destroyer
Destroyer
In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet, convoy or battle group and defend them against smaller, powerful, short-range attackers. Destroyers, originally called torpedo-boat destroyers in 1892, evolved from...
s.
With 2.1 billion Euro
Euro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
for only three ships, this was one of the most expensive ship building programs of the German Navy
German Navy
The German Navy is the navy of Germany and is part of the unified Bundeswehr .The German Navy traces its roots back to the Imperial Fleet of the revolutionary era of 1848 – 52 and more directly to the Prussian Navy, which later evolved into the Northern German Federal Navy...
. They are similar to the Dutch De Zeven Provinciën class frigate
De Zeven Provinciën class frigate
The De Zeven Provinciën class frigates are highly advanced air-defence and command frigates in service with the Koninklijke Marine . This class of ships is also known as LCF...
s. Both the Sachsen class and the De Zeven Provinciën class frigates are based on the use of a common primary anti-air warfare system built around the APAR
Active Phased Array Radar
APAR is a shipborne multifunction radar developed and manufactured by Thales Nederland. It is the first Active Electronically Scanned Array MFR employed on an operational warship.-Characteristics:...
and SMART-L
SMART-L
SMART-L is a naval long-range search radar from Thales Nederland, formerly Hollandse Signaalapparaten ....
radars and the area-defence SM-2
RIM-66 Standard
The RIM-66 Standard MR is a medium range surface-to-air missile originally developed for the United States Navy . The SM-1 was developed as a replacement for the RIM-2 Terrier and RIM-24 Tartar that were deployed in the 1950s on a variety of USN ships...
Block IIIA and point-defence Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) surface-to-air missiles.
In June 1996 the German government contracted for three ships with an option on a fourth that was provisionally to have been named as the Thüringen, but the option for this fourth ship was not taken up.
The F124 class frigates are larger and much more capable in all aspects than the Lütjens class destroyer
Lütjens class destroyer
The Type 103 Lütjens class was the last class of destroyers in service with the German Navy. They were replaced by the new Sachsen-class frigates, designated frigate even though they are much larger and more capable in all aspects than the Lütjens class destroyers.Basically the ships were Charles F...
s, which they replaced.
Anti-Air Warfare
These ships were optimized for the anti-air warfare role. For this role the ships are equipped with an advanced sensor and weapons suite. The primary sensors for this role are the long range surveillance radar SMART-LSMART-L
SMART-L is a naval long-range search radar from Thales Nederland, formerly Hollandse Signaalapparaten ....
and the multi-function radar APAR
Active Phased Array Radar
APAR is a shipborne multifunction radar developed and manufactured by Thales Nederland. It is the first Active Electronically Scanned Array MFR employed on an operational warship.-Characteristics:...
. The SMART-L
SMART-L
SMART-L is a naval long-range search radar from Thales Nederland, formerly Hollandse Signaalapparaten ....
and APAR
Active Phased Array Radar
APAR is a shipborne multifunction radar developed and manufactured by Thales Nederland. It is the first Active Electronically Scanned Array MFR employed on an operational warship.-Characteristics:...
are highly complementary, in the sense that SMART-L
SMART-L
SMART-L is a naval long-range search radar from Thales Nederland, formerly Hollandse Signaalapparaten ....
is a D band
D band
IEEE D band is the range of radio frequencies from 110 GHz to 170 GHz in the electromagnetic spectrum. This is equal to wave lengths between 1.8 mm and 2.7 mm...
radar providing very long range surveillance while APAR
Active Phased Array Radar
APAR is a shipborne multifunction radar developed and manufactured by Thales Nederland. It is the first Active Electronically Scanned Array MFR employed on an operational warship.-Characteristics:...
is an I band
I band
The I band is the range of radio frequencies from 8 GHz to 10 GHz in the electromagnetic spectrum. This is equal to wave lengths between 3.75 cm and 3 cm. The I band is in the SHF range of the radio spectrum....
radar providing precise target tracking, a highly capable horizon search capability, and missile guidance using the Interrupted Continuous Wave Illumination (ICWI) technique, thus allowing guidance of 32 semi-active radar homing missiles in flight simultaneously, including 16 in the terminal guidance phase. The primary anti-air weapons are the point defence ESSM and the area defence SM-2
RIM-66 Standard
The RIM-66 Standard MR is a medium range surface-to-air missile originally developed for the United States Navy . The SM-1 was developed as a replacement for the RIM-2 Terrier and RIM-24 Tartar that were deployed in the 1950s on a variety of USN ships...
Block IIIA.
Missiles
The ship's medium and long-range anti-air missiles are the RaytheonRaytheon
Raytheon Company is a major American defense contractor and industrial corporation with core manufacturing concentrations in weapons and military and commercial electronics. It was previously involved in corporate and special-mission aircraft until early 2007...
ESSM and the SM-2
RIM-66 Standard
The RIM-66 Standard MR is a medium range surface-to-air missile originally developed for the United States Navy . The SM-1 was developed as a replacement for the RIM-2 Terrier and RIM-24 Tartar that were deployed in the 1950s on a variety of USN ships...
Block IIIA, which are fired from a VLS Mk-41 32-cell launcher. Sachsen successfully completed firing trials with ESSM
ESSM
The RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile is a development of the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow missile used to protect ships from attacking missiles and aircraft. ESSM is designed to counter supersonic maneuvering anti-ship missiles...
and SM-2
RIM-66 Standard
The RIM-66 Standard MR is a medium range surface-to-air missile originally developed for the United States Navy . The SM-1 was developed as a replacement for the RIM-2 Terrier and RIM-24 Tartar that were deployed in the 1950s on a variety of USN ships...
in July / August 2004.
The F124 has two Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM)
RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile
The RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile is a small, lightweight, infrared homing surface-to-air missile in use by the American, German, South Korean, Greek, Turkish, Saudi and Egyptian navies. It was intended originally and used primarily as a point-defense weapon against anti-ship cruise missiles...
Mk-31 launchers and two four-cell Harpoon missile launchers. The RAM missile from Raytheon and RAM Systems GmbH, is a fire-and-forget missile which provides short-range defense against incoming anti-ship missiles including sea-skimming missiles. The Boeing Harpoon is an autonomous all-weather anti-ship missile with range in excess of 65 nautical miles (120.4 km).
Guns
The F124 is equipped with an Oto Melara 76mm gun, and two RheinmetallRheinmetall
Rheinmetall AG is a German automotive and defence company with factories in Düsseldorf, Kassel and Unterlüß. The company has a long tradition of making guns and artillery pieces...
MLG 27 remote controlled autocannons.
A KMW PzH 2000
PzH 2000
The Panzerhaubitze 2000 , abbreviated PzH 2000, is a German 155 mm self-propelled howitzer developed by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and Rheinmetall for the German Army. The PzH 2000 is one of the most powerful conventional artillery systems currently deployed...
howitzer turret with a 155mm gun has been mounted on the deck of Hamburg as a demonstration of the feasibility of the system for naval applications. The concept is called MONARC and requires a flexible elastic mounting. MONARC has a range of 22 nmi (40.7 km). Live fire trials were conducted in September 2003.
Sensor suite
The radars include the Thales NederlandThales Nederland
Thales Nederland B.V. is a subsidiary of Thales Group involved primarily in naval defence systems...
SMART-L
SMART-L
SMART-L is a naval long-range search radar from Thales Nederland, formerly Hollandse Signaalapparaten ....
long-range surveillance radar, the Thales Nederland
Thales Nederland
Thales Nederland B.V. is a subsidiary of Thales Group involved primarily in naval defence systems...
APAR
Active Phased Array Radar
APAR is a shipborne multifunction radar developed and manufactured by Thales Nederland. It is the first Active Electronically Scanned Array MFR employed on an operational warship.-Characteristics:...
multi-function radar, and two STN Atlas
STN Atlas
STN ATLAS Elektronik GmbH was a German defence company, producing sensors and other electronic or computer components such as Radar, Sonar, fire-control systems, simulations....
9600-M ARPA navigation radars.
The ship is also equipped with the Thales Nederland
Thales Nederland
Thales Nederland B.V. is a subsidiary of Thales Group involved primarily in naval defence systems...
Sirius IRST long-range infra-red surveillance and tracking sensor. The STN Atlas
STN Atlas
STN ATLAS Elektronik GmbH was a German defence company, producing sensors and other electronic or computer components such as Radar, Sonar, fire-control systems, simulations....
MSP 500 electro-optical fire control system provides target acquisition and tracking for the main gun. The bow sonar is the STN Atlas
STN Atlas
STN ATLAS Elektronik GmbH was a German defence company, producing sensors and other electronic or computer components such as Radar, Sonar, fire-control systems, simulations....
Elektronik DSQS-24B.
Propulsion
The F124 is equipped with a combined diesel and gasCombined diesel and gas
Combined diesel and gas ' is a type of propulsion system for ships which need a maximum speed that is considerably faster than their cruise speed, particularly warships like modern frigates or corvettes....
propulsion system, CODAG. The two operating shafts work independently. The diesel engines are installed in a non-walkable sound-proof capsule. The shafts drive two five-bladed controllable pitch propellers.
In diesel mode, one of the diesel engines (type MTU 20V 1163 TB93) is operated via two main gearboxes and one cross-connection gearbox. The peak performance of the diesel provides 7,400 kW at 1,350 rpm.
The ship has an operating range of 4000 nmi (7,408 km) at a cruising speed of 18 knots (35.3 km/h) in diesel mode.
In gas turbine mode, the gas turbine (model GE7 LM2500 PF/MLG) provides 23,500 kW and 3,600 rpm, operating two main gearboxes and the cross-connection gearbox.
In combined diesel and gas propulsion mode (CODAG-mode), both diesel engines and the gas turbine engine are operated. The maximum speed of the ship is 29 knots (56.8 km/h).
Helicopter
The flight deck and hangar accommodate two NH90 helicopters. The flight deck is rated to accommodate a 15t class helicopter such as the Merlin, for fuelling and torpedo loading. The helicopter handling system from MBB-Förder und Hebesysteme uses laser guided and computer controlled manipulator arms to secure the helicopter after landing.Counter Measures
The ship's electronic countermeasures suite includes an EADS Systems and Defence Electronics FL1800 SII ECM system and six Sippican Hycor SuperRBOC launchers which fire chaff and flares. Electronic support measures are provided by EADS Systems and Defence Electronics Maigret CESM (Communications ESM).Live Missile Firings
In August 2004, the Sachsen completed a series of live missile firings at the Point Mugu missile launch range off the coast of California that included a total of 11 ESSMESSM
The RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile is a development of the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow missile used to protect ships from attacking missiles and aircraft. ESSM is designed to counter supersonic maneuvering anti-ship missiles...
and 10 SM-2
Standard missile
Standard Missile can refer to a family of several different American missiles:* RIM-66 Standard , a medium range surface-to-air missile, the successor of the RIM-24 Tartar missile...
Block IIIA missiles. The tests included firings against target drones such as the Northrup Grumman BQM-74E Chukkar III and Teledyne Ryan BQM-34S Firebee I, as well as against missile targets such as the Beech AQM-37C and air-launched Kormoran 1 anti-ship missiles.
List of ships
| Pennant number Pennant number In the modern Royal Navy, and other navies of Europe and the Commonwealth, ships are identified by pennant numbers... |
Name | Call sign Call sign In broadcasting and radio communications, a call sign is a unique designation for a transmitting station. In North America they are used as names for broadcasting stations... |
Shipyard Shipyard Shipyards and dockyards are places which repair and build ships. These can be yachts, military vessels, cruise liners or other cargo or passenger ships. Dockyards are sometimes more associated with maintenance and basing activities than shipyards, which are sometimes associated more with initial... |
Laid down | Launched | Delivered | Com- missioned |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F219 | Sachsen | DRAA | Blohm + Voss | February 1, 1999 | January 20, 2001 | November 29, 2002 | December 31, 2003 |
| F220 | Hamburg | DRAB | HDW Howaldtswerke Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft is a German shipbuilding company, headquartered in Kiel. In 2009 it was the largest shipyard in Germany and has more than 2,400 employees. It has been part of ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems owned by ThyssenKrupp, since 2005... |
September 1, 2000 | August 16, 2002 | September 2004 | December 13, 2004 |
| F221 | Hessen | DRAC | Nordseewerke Nordseewerke Nordseewerke is a shipbuilding company located in Emden, Germany. The name Nordseewerke means "North Sea shipyard" in German. The shipyard employs some 1,400 people and is the second-largest plant in Emden, following Volkswagen... |
September 14, 2001 | July 26, 2003 | December 7, 2005 | April 21, 2006 |
| (F222) | Thüringen | option not taken-up | |||||
All three vessels form part of the 2. Fregattengeschwader (2nd Frigate Squadron) based in Wilhelmshaven
Wilhelmshaven
Wilhelmshaven is a coastal town in Lower Saxony, Germany. It is situated on the western side of the Jade Bight, a bay of the North Sea.-History:...
.
See also
- De Zeven Provinciën class frigateDe Zeven Provinciën class frigateThe De Zeven Provinciën class frigates are highly advanced air-defence and command frigates in service with the Koninklijke Marine . This class of ships is also known as LCF...
- F125 class frigateF125 class frigateF125 is the project name for the Type 125 Baden-Württemberg class of frigates, currently in development for the German Navy by ARGE F125, a joint-venture of Thyssen-Krupp and Lürssen...
- Brandenburg class frigateBrandenburg class frigateThe F123 Brandenburg class is a class of German frigate. They were ordered by the German Navy in June 1989, and then completed and commissioned between 1994 and 1996 to replace the Hamburg class destroyers...
- Lütjens class destroyerLütjens class destroyerThe Type 103 Lütjens class was the last class of destroyers in service with the German Navy. They were replaced by the new Sachsen-class frigates, designated frigate even though they are much larger and more capable in all aspects than the Lütjens class destroyers.Basically the ships were Charles F...
External links
- Fregatte SACHSEN-Klasse (in German) - @ Marine (official homepage of the German Navy)
- SACHSEN CLASS @ naval-technology.com
- Fregatte "Sachsen" (F124) (in German) @ hansa-online.de