Royal Danish Navy : Iver Huitfeldt-class Frigate

Frigate July 10, 2020

Royal Danish Navy : Iver Huitfeldt-class Frigate

Efran Syah       Comment   

Iver Huitfeldt-class frigate HDMS Niels Juel. (Marsel Van Oosten / testmyprep.com)

The Iver Huitfeldt-class is a 138 meters long guided missile frigates of 6,645 tonnes displacement, built by Odense Staalskibsvaerft for the Royal Danish Navy. Three have been built and all of them were commissionned in 2011.

Danish Iver Huitfeldt-class frigate Peter Willemoes in Aura river in Turku during the Northern Coasts 2014 exercise public pre sail event. (MKFI / Wiki Common)

The Iver Huitfeldt class frigates have a somewhat unusual layout and look a bit bulky for this class of ships. Nevertheless they pack a formidable punch. Most anti-air warfare sensors and equipment are similar to the German Sachsen class frigates and Dutch De Zeven Provincien class destroyers.

Forward superfiring 76 mm OTO-Melara guns of Danish Iver Huitfeldt-class frigate Peter Willemoes in Aura river in Turku during the Northern Coasts 2014 exercise public pre sail event. (MKFI / Wiki Common)

The keel for the first ship in the class, Iver Huitfeldt (F 361), was laid in June 2008 and launched in March 2010. The frigate was transferred to the Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation (FMT) in January 2011 for testing. The second frigate, Peter Willemoes (F362), was laid in March 2009 and launched in December 2010. The third and final ship, Niels Juel (F363), was laid in December 2009.

Danish Iver Huitfeldt-class frigate Peter Willemoes (F362) in Aura river in Turku during the Northern Coasts 2014 exercise public pre sail event. (MKFI / Wiki Common)

The hull design of the Iver Huitfeldt-class is derived from the Absalon-class. The exterior is easily distinguished from Absalon-class as the Iver Huitfeldt is one deck lower, and lacks an internal multipurpose deck (flex deck). The chimney’s design has been changed to prevent excessive steam impact of SMART-L radar.

The design protects the crew from contamination. The frigate is divided into six hazard zones. All the zones are equipped with separate filters to protect the crew against chemical, radioactive or biological weapon attacks and airlocks are provided between them.

SMART-L radar of Danish Iver Huitfeldt-class frigate Peter Willemoes in Aura river in Turku during the Northern Coasts 2014 exercise public pre sail event. 35 mm Oerlikon Millenium CIWS is also visible. (MKFI / Wiki Common)

Mounted round the top of the superstructure are the four antennae of the Thales advanced phased-array air/surface radar. It provides 360° target detection, tracking and engagement. Up to 32 missiles can be guided in flight simultaneously, including 16 missiles in terminal stage. Such capability is extremely important while defending against saturated missile attacks.

There is also the Thales SMART-L radar for long-range aerial surveillance. It can detect and track ballistic missiles at a range of more than 400 km. It is capable of tracking 1,500 targets simultaneously and provides early warning.

It is considered that radar combination of the Iver Huitfeldt class is more capable than Aegis radar combination of the Spanish Alvaro de Bazan class anti-air warfare frigates.

Danish Iver Huitfeldt-class frigate Peter Willemoes (F362) in Aura river in Turku during the Northern Coasts 2014 exercise public pre sail event. (MKFI / Wiki Common)

The Iver Huitfeldt class has a diesel-only propulsions system. It is powered by four MTU 20V M70 diesel engines, developing a combined output of 44,000 shp. The power is delivered to 2 shafts. Also there is a single bow thruster.

These Danish frigates are very fuel efficient. At lower speeds it is capable of traveling 16,700 km (9,000 nautical miles). It is enough to travel from Denmark to the United States and back, while there will still be fuel left in the tanks.

Iver Huitfeldt-class frigate HDMS Niels Juel. (Forsvaret)

The frigate is fitted with Lockheed Martin Mk41 multimissile vertical launch system (VLS) for the evolved Sea Sparrow missile (ESSM) and SM-2 IIIA missile.

The Mk41 system can fire anti-air, anti-submarine and anti-ship missiles. Ivar Huitfeldt is also armed with the Boeing Harpoon block II anti-ship missile system and the Eurotorp MU90 lightweight torpedo fired from a twin or triple torpedo launcher.

The frigate’s main gun is an Oto Melara 76 mm Super Rapid gun. The Oerlikon Millennium 35 mm naval gun system onboard provides close-in air defence. It is based on the new Oerlikon 35 mm revolver cannon land-based air defence system. A 12.7 mm machine gun is also available aboard the ship.

HDMS Iver Huitfeldt. (via shipphotos.eu)

The Danish frigate has an integral hull-mounted sonar for submarine detection. Anti-submarine weapons include two twin 324 mm launchers for EUROTORP MU90 lightweight torpedoes.

This frigate has a hangar and can accommodate NFH 90, Westland Lynx Mk.90B, or similar helicopter, which provides additional anti-submarine warfare capability. Recently Danish Navy ordered Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk anti-submarine helicopters.

Iver Huitfeldt Class Frigate HDMS Peter Willemoes. (via ptisidiastima.com)

Even though the Iver Huitfeldt class packs a formidable punch, it is slightlty inferior to the German Sachsen class frigates. It lacks a third layer missile defense and carries less torpedoes. The Danish frigate has got only hull mounted sonar, but no tower array sonar for submarine detection.

Also the German frigate carries two helicopters. Furthermore the Danish frigate has inferior diesel-only propulsion system, which looses in terms of performance to modern Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsions.

HDMS Iver Huitfeld. (via verdensalt.dk)

In March 2019 a variant of Denmark's Iver Huitfeldt class has emerged as a front-runner for the Indonesian Navy's US$720 million two-frigate acquisition programme according to Jane's.

In February 2020, defense delegation from Indonesia visited Denmark, and toured the Niels Juel. According to local media, the deputy of the Indonesian Ministry of Defense Sakti Wahyu Trenggono said in March that Indonesia’s PT PAL was tasked to develop a design for 2 ships over 5 years, for Rp1.1 trillion (or USD 720 million) in collaboration with Denmark, for Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL).

And on April 30, representatives from the Indonesian Ministry of Defense, PT PAL shipbuilders and PT Sinar Kokoh Persada, an Indonesian agent for the Danish Odense Maritime Technology (OMT) company, had agreed to an opening contract for the procurement of the Danish Frigate. Points in the contract include workshare arrangements that will be made after the effective (actual) contract can be realized.

General characteristics

Displacement: 6,645 t (full load)

Length: 138.7 m
Beam: 19.8 m
Draft: 5.3 m
Speed: 28 knots (52 km/h)
Propulsion: Four MTU 8000 20V M70 diesel engines, 8,2 MW each, Two shafts, CODAD
Range: 9000 NM (16700 km) at 15 knots (28 km/h)
Complement: 165
Crew: 116
Sensors and processing systems:

• 1 Thales Nederland SMART-L long-range air and surface surveillance radar
• 1 Thales Nederland APAR air and surface search, tracking and guidance radar (I band)
• 1 Terma SCANTER 6000 surveillance and helicopter guidance radar
• Atlas ASO 94 hull mounted sonar
• 2 Saab CEROS 200 fire control radars
• ES-3701 Tactical Radar Electronic Support Measures (ESM)

Electronic warfare & decoys:

•  8 × 6-barrelled Terma MK 137 130 mm decoy launchers
• Seagnat Mark 36 SRBOC

Aviation: flight deck & hangar for 1 MH-60R  helicopter
Armament:

• Gun:
• 1 x Oto-Melara 76 mm/62-caliber gun (3-inches)
• 1 x Oerlikon Millennium 35 mm CIWS
• Mk-41 Vertical Launching Sytem / VLS (4x8 cells) for a mix of:
• RIM-66 SM-2MR Block III Standard Missiles
• RGM 84 HARPOON SSM
• RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM)
• 6 spaces for STANFLEX-Modules for a mix of:
• Oto-Melara 76 mm/62-caliber gun (3-inches)
• Mk-141 missile launcher for RGM-84 Harpoon SSM (8 missiles, each)
• Mk-48 (Mod.3) / Mk-56 VLS for RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles (6 missiles, each)
• launcher for MU90 Impact torpedoes (1x2)
• further:
• 4 x Stinger point defense SAM (2x2)
• 7 x 12.7 mm (caliber .50) MG’s

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Admiral Gorshkov Class Frigate

Frigate June 08, 2020

Admiral Gorshkov Class Frigate

Efran Syah       Comment   

(Image via goodfon.com)

The Admiral Gorshkov class (Russian designation Project 22350), is the newest class of frigates being built by the Severnaya Verf in Saint Petersburg for the Russian Navy.

(Image via dir.md)

The class was designed by the Severnoye Design Bureau and incorporates use of stealth technology. So far, six vessels of the class have been ordered and scheduled for delivery by 2025. The lead ship of the class, Admiral Gorshkov, was commissioned on 28 July 2018.

(Image via @I30mki / Twitter)

The lead ship, Admiral Gorshkov or its full name – Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Gorshkov, was laid down on 1 February 2006 in Severnaya Verf shipyard in St. Petersburg. In late October 2008 the Russian deputy prime minister, Sergei Ivanov, said the timely construction of combat ships is a priority task of for Russia's shipbuilding industry, and announced that the first ship in the class would be ready by 2011. The completion date of the lead ship was initially slated for 2009, but this was later pushed back, as was the commissioning date.

(Image via Business Insider)

In November 2009 the Severnaya Verf shipyard announced that it would start the construction of the second ship of the class Admiral Kasatonov on 26 November. The ship was laid down in a ceremony attended by representatives of the Russian Navy, the St. Petersburg administration, and Admiral Igor Kasatonov - the son of the ship's namesake, Vladimir Kasatonov. In December 2014, one engine from Admiral Kasatonov was transferred to Admiral Gorshkov.

(Image via kirill-nav-1.livejournal.com)

The first two ships of the class have gas turbines from Zorya-Mashproekt in Ukraine. Following the 2014 Crimean crisis, Ukrainian industry refused to supply Russia with military technology. As a result, NPO Saturn has been commissioned to design indigenous engines. Initial forecasts expected these new engines to be available in 2017-18, allowing ships to be commissioned from 2020; however, after intervention by the Russian government, the plan was brought forward.

(Image via @RALee85 / Twitter)

In February 2019, it was reported Admiral Gorshkov and Admiral Kasatonov were equipped with a naval version of the new 5P-42 Filin electro-optic countermeasure system. The Filin fires a beam similar to a strobe light that affects enemy's combatants eyesight, making it more difficult for them to aim at night. During testing, volunteers reportedly used rifles and guns to shoot targets that were protected by the system and reported having trouble aiming because they could not see. Additionally, about half of the volunteers said they felt dizzy, nauseous and disoriented. About 20 percent of the volunteers reported experiencing hallucinations.

(Image via goodfon.com)

In March 2019, the Severnoye Design Bureau reportedly completed the outline design of the upgraded Project 22350M frigate and began working on the technical documentation for the ship. The Project 22350M frigates are believed to incorporate increased number of VLS cells for combination of 48 Kalibr, Oniks and Zircon cruise missiles while displacing about 7,000 tons.

(Image via meta-defense.fr)

On 23 April 2019, two modified Project 22350 frigates, Admiral Amelko and Admiral Chichagov, were laid down at Severnaya Verf in Saint Petersburg during a ceremony attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin. The two new frigates will be fitted with 24 VLS cells for Kalibr, Oniks or Zircon cruise missiles, as opposed to 16 VLS cells installed on the first four frigates of the class. Their delivery to the Russian Navy is scheduled for 2024 and 2025, respectively.

(Image via m2ch.hk)

The Admiral Gorshkov class is the successor to the Neustrashimyy and Krivak-class frigates. Unlike their Soviet-era predecessors, the new ships are designed for multiple roles. They are to be capable to execute long-range strikes, conduct anti-submarine warfare and to carry out escort missions.

(Image via goodfon.com)

General characteristics
Type: Guided missile frigate
Displacement:
- Standard: 4,500 tons
- Full: 5,400 tons
Length: 135 m (443 ft)
Beam: 16 m (52 ft)
Draught: 4.5 m (15 ft)
Propulsion:
- 2 shaft CODAG;
- 2 10D49 cruise diesel engines 5,200 shp (3,900 kW);
- 2 M90FR boost gas turbines 27,500 shp (20,500 kW);
- Total: 65,400 shp (48,800 kW)
Speed: 29.5 knots (54.6 km/h; 33.9 mph)
Range: 4,850 nmi (8,980 km; 5,580 mi) at 14 kn (26 km/h; 16 mph)
Endurance: 30 days
Complement: 210
Sensors and processing systems:
- Air search radar(S): Furke-4 5P-27 main radar for Detection, tracking and targeting of air and surface targets, Poliment 5P-20K 4 faced active phased array search, tracking and guidance/management radar
- Surface search radar: Monolit 34K1 surface search, AShM and additional artillery targeting radar
- Main Artillery radar fire control system: Puma 5P-10
- Sonar: Zarya M sonar, Vinyetka towed array sonar
- Navigation: 3 × Pal-N radars
- Other: 2 × target illuminators aft superstructure for Palash CIWS
- Communications: Vigstar Centaurus-NM
- Electro-Optical Systems: 2 × MTK-201M and 2 × 5P-520
- Combat system: Sigma/Sigma 22350
Electronic warfare & decoys:
- EW Suite: Prosvet-M
- Countermeasures: 2 × PU KT-308, 8 × PU KT-216, 2 × 5P-42 Filin
Armament:
- 1 × 130 mm Amethyst/Arsenal A-192M naval gun
- 16 (2 × 8) UKSK VLS cells for Kalibr, Oniks or Zircon anti-ship cruise missiles
- 24 (3 × 8) UKSK VLS cells for Kalibr, Oniks or Zircon missiles (Admiral Amelko and Admiral Chichagov)
- 32 (2 × 16) Redut VLS cells for 9M96, 9M96M, 9M96D/9M96DM(M2) and/or quad-packed 9M100 surface-to-air missiles
- 2 × Kashtan CIWS
- 2 × 4 330 mm torpedo tubes for Paket-NK anti-torpedo/anti-submarine torpedoes
- 2 × 14.5 mm MTPU pedestal machine guns
Aircraft carried: 1 × Ka-27 series helicopter
Aviation facilities: Helipad and hangar for one helicopter

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