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  • German Navy Changes

    Since not much is really happening, thought i'd give a little summary of current stuff for the German Navy. Only ship classes with recent changes, or plannings, below. Nothing really new there, only a collection of stuff.

    F125 class frigates
    The project has seen a lot of changes recently, in particular with MONARC and Naval GMLRS being canceled, and 127mm VULCANO guns and Hitrole-NT turrets being pre-ordered from Otobreda. The Budget Committee of the German Parliament will be discussing the procurement on June 20th, with it likely being approved.
    The order being proposed is for four F125 class ships for a total planned cost of €2.62 billion, including full weapons and electronics outfit. Unlike with other recent projects (F124, K130), the design details will not be hammered out during the concept phase, but during building. Hence a lot could still change.
    Blohm & Voss has released a new F125 artist conception showing a ship with the pre-ordered 127mm turret, a VLS forward, and a reduction of RIB "bays" in the sides from 4 to 2.

    F124 class frigates
    The three frigates have officially reached "full service", however several severe problems have shown up, in particular regarding the software outfit. Each of the three ships carries a different software suite, which has shown to be not compatible with each other (or rather, EADS Battle Management System, which should combine the suites, doesn't work right) - a critical problem for a AAW ship.
    It's planned to bug out the software glitches (fully discovered in March this year) until Summer 2007 to establish at least self-defense capability for the frigates. Establishing full AAW capability as a networked squadron is planned to be accomplished by 2008 - not in need of a rush though, since the ships are currently only armed with RAM for SAMs. SM-2MR Block IIIA and ESSM won't be delivered before mid-2008.
    The ships, due to above problems, can't deploy on "real" missions, leaving those to the F123 (as taskforce command ships). However, they do deploy with the Bundesmarine Training Squadron, as well as for joint NATO maneuvers.

    F123 class frigates
    The four frigates of the F123 class are currently being slightly rebuilt and upgraded. In particular, they're currently receiving new decoy launchers (4x TKWA/MASS), replacing the old Breda launchers. These upgrades are being performed alternating with deployments to UNIFIL. In the medium future (until 2011), all four ships will be upgraded with variable depth sonars (taking over the ASW role from the F122), a complete new combat system, new communication and navigation systems. Since industrial support for the Harpoon Block 1C will run out, an upgrade to RBS-15 Mk3/Mk4 is planned. Upgrading the Mk41 VLS (currently 16 NSSM) to ESSM is not planned (though could be considered).
    All ships are also receiving 27mm MLG27 to replace their 20mm guns.

    F122 class frigates
    Although the eight F122 class frigates are planned to be replaced by the F125 class in the next decade, they're still receiving several upgrades before that - new TKWA/MASS decoy launchers, as well as a new combat management system and Link 16. The new combat management system for the F122 will be almost identical to the one planned for the F123, and the two upgrade programs form a single combined project for the navy. Since the currently mounted Exocet MM38 won't be supported anymore either by early next decade, upgrading to RBS-15 Mk3/Mk4 is planned as well. Upgrading the Mk29 launcher with ESSM is not planned (and very unlikely, since these ships will decommission by mid next decade).
    All ships are also receiving 27mm MLG27 to replace their 20mm guns, and, for UNIFIL missions, are outfitted with extra .50cal MGs.

    K130 class corvettes
    Out of the five corvettes, three are currently running sea trials (F260 Braunschweig, F261 Magdeburg and F262 Erfurt). Braunschweig and Magdeburg are running their acceptance trials, and are expected to commission in the next 3 and 5 months respectively. Erfurt started trials in April, and will commission in 2008.
    F263 Oldenburg will be christened on June 28th, F264 Ludwigshafen am Rhein in September. Both are expected to commission in 2008.
    The German Navy 1st Corvette Squadron officially was raised June 26th, 2006, without ships. They were subsequently assigned the Type 404 ship Donau, which will act as the future tender for the squadron. The future ship crews have been training within that Squadron since then.
    The K130 class corvettes' finalized armament consists of a 76mm gun, two 27mm remote-controlled guns, two 21-cell RAM launchers and four RBS-15 Mk3 missiles (Mk4 land-attack upgrade planned). Displacing 1840 tons full load, they carry a crew of 60.

    Type 332, 332A, 333, 352 class minehunters
    These 600-ton boats share a common hull, hence grouping them together. These originally 22 boats have been the stable minehunting force of the Bundesmarine, and changes are mostly in numbers.
    There are no changes for the Type 333 and Type 352 minehunters and minesweepers (5 ships each), the number of Seehund drones for the Type 352 (18 drone ships) also remains constant.
    The numbers are changing for the twelve-ship-strong Type 332 Frankenthal class: Two ships have been sold recently (the two oldest, Frankenthal and Weiden, to the UAE). One ship is being refitted as a minediving support ship with no minehunting capability. Four other ships will be rebuilt to patrol boats / force protection boats, and a squadron of five Frankenthal minehunters with Pinguin B3 and Seefuchs ROVs remains in service.
    All ships are currently receiving 27mm guns to replace their 40mm Bofors/Breda, with about half the ships upgraded by now.

    Auxiliaries
    A third Type 702 "taskforce supply ship" (Einsatzgruppenversorger, EGV) has been approved for budget planning, and will likely be approved in the overall budget soon. This third unit is urgently needed, and might be entering service by 2010-2011, if approved. The third unit will be updated compared to the original Type 702, and likely employ some changes - in particular regarding the deployment of a platoon of infantry - or similar-sized - from these ships.
    The old ammunition/supplies transport Westerwald - recently passing it's 40th anniversary - will stay in service until around 2010, and is planned to be replaced by above 3rd EGV (though not in the same role).
    The two light oilers in Bundesmarine service (Rhön and Spessart) have received new UNREP gear in the last two years, and will remain in service for at least another two years.

    Type 212A submarines
    The fourth unit (U34) - and final of the first production run - was commissioned on May 13th. A second, upgraded run, of two more boats is planned, but not approved yet.

    Federal Police / Coast Guard units
    The Bundespolizei has been leasing three CB90H combat boats from the Swedish Navy for the last 3 months, and has used them during the G8 summit this week (including during the intercept of Greenpeace RIBs on Thursday). Officials seem to be rather impressed with the performance, and have hinted at wanting to order several if money can be found.

    Marine Force Protection / Naval Infantry
    73 small hovercrafts with up to 650 kg payload will be introduced and assigned to both the Naval Infantry Bataillon, and certain engineer units within two Heer divisions. These hovercrafts (Type "MARS 702") will be built by a Russian Company (AKS Invest), and outfitted in Germany. No real updates on that since November 2006, but all units involved with that are considered special forces - so, not exactly free with information.

    Naval Aviation
    The eight P-3C bought from the Netherlands are now all in service, and have replaced all Breguet Atlantique MPA. Two SIGINT-specialized Breguet Atlantique remain in service. The 21 Sea Lynx Mk88A used by the Bundesmarine are getting a light upgrade, with new navigation systems and two MFDs for that in the cockpit. The MH-90 (aka NH-90 NFH) has seen some tests in the last year, including landing trials on Bundesmarine tests. The Bundesmarine is however bickering with the industry about some additional requirements they have that the MH-90 doesn't meet, and therefore haven't signed any contracts yet. No upgrades for the Sea Kings, which are supposed to be replaced first by MH-90 or any other new helo.
    Last edited by kato; 08 Jun 07,, 23:21.

  • #2
    With the baptising of the LUDWIGSHAFEN AM RHEIN the first batch of five K 130 is complete.

    Comment


    • #3
      "The first of five new K130 corvettes (based on the Meko A) for the German Navy began building in July 2004. The first and the fourth corvette are to be built by Blohm & Voss, the second and fifth by Lürssen and the third by Thyssen Nordseewerke. The corvettes will enter service between May 2007 and November 2008."

      Is there enough work to keep these three German shipyards plus HDW viable?

      Comment


      • #4
        those yards are pretty busy so far I know. A second batch of at least another five ships shall follow in the next years, and there are still F125 and new subs to be built.

        Comment


        • #5
          Originally posted by Tarek Morgen View Post
          those yards are pretty busy so far I know. A second batch of at least another five ships shall follow in the next years, and there are still F125 and new subs to be built.
          There will not be a second K130 batch. The Navy has the MÜKE project reactivated in BwPlan 2009 though (source: Inspector-General of the Navy Wolgang Nolting in a recent article). Planned, according to that article, are "a total of six corvettes". These six corvettes would replace the Type 143A FACs. Details are next to zero, but you can bet TKMS - or TKMS in a workshare arrangement - will make a try for it with a Meko-derived vessel (like Meko CSL, or a modified K130), and pretty much will get a contract, if it ever gets beyond the planning stages.

          A currently presumably still ongoing project is converting four Type 332 minehunters (pre-designated as Type 332A) into 600-ton heavy patrol ships for the MSK. Mostly something that will entail some topside reconfiguration in a yard, like fitting of RIB slipways, adding in a OP center somewhere, removal of minelaunching and -hunting gear and such. Details on that project have been classified ever since it started being planned 2 years ago though.

          Details on the rest below.

          Originally posted by rickusn View Post
          Is there enough work to keep these three German shipyards plus HDW viable?
          For police/military-related stuff:

          - Nordseewerke is currently building two 1000-ton SWATH customs patrol ships for the German Federal Customs Agency, to be delivered late 2008 and late 2009 (contract signed late 2006). Both ships will be essentially a smaller version of the Type 751 Planet SWATH research/survey ship commissioned in the Navy in 2005. These two ships will take on roles within the German Coastguard, to which the Federal Customs Agency contributes.

          - Nordseewerke and HDW are the two yards designated to build the two Type 212A Batch 2 submarines to be delivered 2012/2013 to the Navy.
          edit: First steel cut for U35 was on Aug. 21st. Both U35 and U36 will be built at HDW in Kiel, Nordseewerke delivers subcomponents.

          - Blohm+Voss and HDW are the two yards within TKMS designated to build the F125 frigates to be delivered from 2014 on. Lürssen will also receive a workshare for that project.

          - Lürssen might also have a good chance for the contract for the third EGV (Type 702). That contract won't be drafted before November, and signed before April (Navy planning). The first two ships of that class were built at two yards: Lürssen and Flensburger.

          In addition, all TKMS yards are pretty big in commercial shipbuilding, particularly in the midsized 1,500-4,000 TEU container ship section and in yacht building (B+V currently has 8 mega-yachts for various customers under construction iirc). Lürssen has a rather big worldwide market share in the yacht business as well.


          (sources: mostly TKMS website)
          Last edited by kato; 01 Oct 07,, 03:17.

          Comment


          • #6
            Thanks Kato.

            Comment


            • #7
              As an update from me for my original post 4 months ago.

              F124 class frigates
              Still not deployable, as stated four months ago. Getting these deployable is highly prioritized though, in particular to relieve the F123 frigates in the Taskforce Command role. The Navy is eyeing TBMD using the F124, and is apparently involved in Dutch trials of the LCF (whose AAW systems are related after all) in that direction to keep their options open.
              [1]

              F125 class frigates
              Order has been signed for four frigates. Rumour mill still going hot and heavy about armament and equipment (since that's not fixed in the contract, after all, see earlier post). However, purely by money, a lot of rumours can be easily disproven: The €63.75 million now fixed down for armament per ship (of which €16 million per ship have already been spent on the 127mm gun and five .50cal RWS) will definitely not hold for any kind of VLS for example.

              K130 class corvettes
              Commissioning has apparently been postponed a bit, but should be somewhat imminent by now. Originally, Braunschweig was supposed to commission in "Summer 2007".
              There have been some problems during sea trials, most of them minor. However, for example, Braunschweig damaged its screws during sea trials, and had to have them replaced by a set originally built for one of the later units.

              Type 143A class FACs
              Currently, the FAC squadron strength is nine out of ten boats (plus the Type 404 tender). Both Frettchen and Gepard have apparently been repaired after colliding in May this year. Nerz, the missing one, is currently at the Marinearsenal to receive some new equipment.
              Long-term planning includes replacing the entire class with a new class of six corvettes (see post above).
              [1],[2]

              Type 212A class SSKs
              Second batch (two boats) has been ordered. Interestingly, the Navy diverts from its entire Expeditionary Navy concept with the subs and emphasizes that these are meant for Conventional Naval Warfare, with that capability "is needed despite all recent asymmetric warfare" (Nolting). No details on whether the second batch will include any upgrades (like IDAS), but commissioning won't be before 2012/13 anyway, and most of these upgrades are electronics-related. And certain details - like sonar outfits - will remain mostly classified anyway.
              edit: Found two planned upgrades: a) Callisto towed communications buoy, will provide access to battlefield data exchange with surface and other units while diving even at deep depths; b) an additional periscope mast with optronics equipment will be installed

              Type 702 class AORs
              Funding for a third unit is currently secured. This third unit will include certain upgrades compared to the two current units, though mostly smaller stuff where problems in the earlier units have appeared (like size and placement of certain doors, modification of engine machinery, stuff like that). Planning with the navy is that the contract for this third unit will be fully negotiated by April 2008, and will be up for approval in parliament by August 2008. Planned induction around 2012.

              New Capabilities
              BwPlan 2009 (to be published classified April 2008) will have one new, old, Bundeswehr project: The Joint Support Ship (i'm not kidding, that's the work title), which will combine "auxiliary ship functions" with "a secured military sealift capacity", and "will provide core capabilities for the Sea Base concept". Old project, because this is basically ETrUS, renewed and modernized to current fashion. ETrUS, which was more of a straight LPD project, died around 1999 due to not being seen as needed politically.
              [1]

              Ship Usage
              The Nolting Article also includes some interesting details on ship usage. When comparing the actual operating hours versus the planned ones, the following numbers result:
              - Frigates: 146% (Types 122, 123, 124)
              - FACs: 135% (Type 143A)
              - AORs: 209% (Type 702)
              - Recon Ships: 134% (Type 423)
              - Overall Average: 108%
              These numbers reflect the age of the particular units. For example, the Type 702 AORs, if continuing like this, will reach their full service life after only 17 years instead of the planned 30. Which of course presents a huge problem when considering the costs of potential SLEPs or replacements.
              [1]

              Naval Aviation
              - Integrating the P-3C is turning into a drag it seems. Intention now is to have one unit fully deployable by the end of 2007, and to have this one aircraft deployed in 2008. Most likely deployment would be OEF-HoA, as TF150 and the USN in general have apparently repeatedly asked for MPAs in that theater after the three German MPAs were withdrawn a few years ago. There's an added bonus: Deploying a P-3C there would also likely allow the Navy to withdraw the single frigate still stationed in that theater.
              - As mentioned by Ray Dekker, the number of MH-90 (NH-90 NFH) to be acquired has been reduced to 30. By the way, the contract for those won't be signed before 2009 at all. The Navy is looking at other solutions, such as a SLEP/MLU for the Sea Kings.
              [1]

              ------

              [1] - Source: "Umsetzung der Transformation in der Deutschen Marine", Wolfgang Nolting, pub. in "Europäische Sicherheit 09/2007"
              [2] - Source: Press Releases @ www.marine.de
              Last edited by kato; 01 Oct 07,, 03:23.

              Comment


              • #8
                Transformation of the German Navy

                The new conceptual approach of the German Navy, to explain the intentions behind certain emphasis in certain units (like F125).

                There's also a couple highlights of not-so-publically-known stuff in there. Like the thing about that contract with Denmark, rather interesting because i'm pretty sure i've never heard of that before reading this article.

                "Umsetzung der Transformation in der Deutschen Marine", Wolfgang Nolting, pub. in "Europäische Sicherheit 09/2007"

                Summarizing the above article, theoretical parts:
                • [...] To handle the challenges of current and future deployments, a consistent further development of the German Navy is needed as its contribution to the transformation process of the Bundeswehr.
                  [...] For this, we adhere to the already started development towards a "Expeditionary Navy".
                • [...] The Navy has to be able to take part in Expeditionary Operations with a defined military goal, over a restricted time, and without Host Nation Support.
                  [...] The Navy also uses the means of a "Expeditionary Navy" for maritime security. The transformation goal of an improvement of the capability of utilizability within a joint forces approach is served by a new concept: Despite geographic restrictions, the sphere of action of the naval forces is not restricted to the sea, but also coastal land areas and parts of the airspace.
                • [...] It's important to make these specific strengths available to the joint forces in order to develop the sea as the base of future operations. This new conceptual approach is called "Sea Base" ("Basis See"). As "Sea Base" we define a conceptual approach to develop the sea in order to transfer, hold ready, lead, protect and support timely, flexible and independantly own forces within joint forces operations across and from the sea.
                • [...] The Navy supports this approach with its capabilities. This means for example reconnaissance when using land- or airbased means is not justifiable or practical for legal or tactical reasons. This means logistical and medical support that we can provide from the sea. This means commanding forces from the sea. This means protection of deployed troops on land from the sea, and this of course also means effectiveness in the mission including the capability to strike selectively, precisely, over long distances land targets from the sea, which we should also provide. Such a use of the "Sea Base" is particularly useful when access to the operation theater isn't possible for infrastructure reasons, or when the amount of ground troops within the theater should be kept as low as possible.
                • [...] In a provisional version of the "Basic Sea Base", the Navy has listed which capabilities it can already provide. This document is currently being refined and finalized jointly with the other services. From this basis, new approaches and new projects can be derived.
                  [...] In the field of strategic transport, the Navy has reached a basic capability. Last December, the Navy has signed a contract with Denmark allowing Germany access to secured commercial strategic sealift to the tune of three RoRo ships. This is only part of the needed capability however. Now we need to establish a secured military sealift capacity. Only this allows to bring mission taskforces operationally into theaters even in situations where little to no port infrastructure is available and commercial services are not available.

                (and yes, Vice Admiral Nolting really writes convoluted like that.)

                More practical parts of the article related to the above:
                • [...] This year the domestic part of a NATO Center of Excellence (COE) for Operations in Confined and Shallow Waters (CSW) has been established as part of the 1st Taskforce Flotilla staff at Kiel.
                  [...] There, concepts for joint forces operations, deployment conventions, and cooperation policies will be developed. Also, new technologies for littoral warfare, for example unmanned systems of all kinds, will be tested here. COE CSW will be a think tank for new tactics and policies for missions in marginal seas and littoral areas. Results will be directly applied in planning and executing future operations.
                • [...] F125 will be optimized for multiple-year stabilization operations. Its capability profile will be primarily designed for Maritime Interdiction Operations, which is something we have to deal with in current operations. In addition to that, she will also be capable of providing tactical fire support to ground troops from the sea, and will be able to support Special Forces and specialized forces from the sea.
                  (note: see the relation to what he says above?)
                • [...] The commissioning of the first two K130 corvettes out of a total of five identical ships is immanent. With this weapon system, we expect a significant increase of the capability to prevail and persevere, within multinational taskforces, also on operations in distant oceans and littoral areas.


                The rest of the article is mostly about hyping how much the navy needs more money (but only identifies a need for €52 million extra per year at the same time?), how both material and personnel is overworked in current multiple concurrent deployments, where and to what extent the Navy is currently deployed, and a bit more on other weapon systems.

                There's also an article series on the official Navy website, here (in German). The article in the magazine Europäische Sicherheit, a defence-related publication, is far more extensive on both the theoretical and the application parts though.

                Based on the above I think it could be interesting to draw up a comparison between the two "Sea Base" concepts of the German and the US Navy - because i don't think they're exactly the same approach, to the same problem, with the same vision.

                ----

                edit: I've used the term "joint forces" above a couple times. Nolting uses "streitkräfteübergreifend" (literally: "services-comprehensive") in those cases, i.e. operations that involve several services of the Bundeswehr. For combat operations, this would mean navy, airforce and army of course. In other cases this could also involve only closer/better cooperation with the ZSanDst (Joint Services Medical Service) or the SKB (Joint Services Support Base, meaning logistics/maintenance/military police/certain engineer forces/other auxiliary functions), as is already widely practiced.
                Last edited by kato; 01 Oct 07,, 04:00.

                Comment


                • #9
                  Collected the "Current/Next" buildings in German Shipyards affected above by K130 finish:

                  TKMS Group
                  HDW-Gaarden (civilian container ships) - current: four container ships (2700 TEU), next: four container ships (3400 TEU) (~€300m)
                  HDW (submarines) - current: two Type 212 Batch 2 (~€900m until 2012/13)
                  Nordseewerke (all kinds) - two coastguard ships, two container ships (3400 TEU) (~€200m)
                  Blohm+Voss + Nobiskrug (all kinds) - eight megayachts (>€600m)

                  Lürssen Group
                  Lürssen - three megayachts (>€200m)

                  Construction for the four F125 will start in 2011. Third EGV construction should be expected around the same time, maybe a year later.
                  Effectively, for the next three to four years, German shipyards won't really build anything for the Navy (other than the two subs), and will rely on commercial contracts.

                  Some second-tier yards do still build related stuff, e.g. Lindenau a Floating Dock for the Navy, Fassmer building several 100' police boats for coastal police forces, or Peenewerft building two new large EEZ fisheries protection patrol boats for the government.
                  Last edited by kato; 02 Oct 07,, 17:24.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Probably the best to stick it into...

                    Construction for the first F125, Baden-Württemberg, started this week. Keel will be laid in November, expected launch is in 02/2013. The ship will then receive its outfit and enter intensive sea trials before it will be delivered 03/2016. Expected delivery of subsequent units will be one every 11 months.

                    Data for the ships has been tied up finally:

                    Dimensions: 490 x 62 x 16 ft (149.5 x 18.8 x 5.0 meters)
                    Displacement: 7,000 metric tons standard, 7,200 tons full
                    Accomodation: 120 crew + 20 air crew + 50 troops (190 total)
                    Aircraft: 2 medium helicopters* (w/ modules for ASW: HELRAS dipping sonar, MU90 torpedoes)
                    Boats: 4 Fassmer 10m RHIB (12 troops or 2 tons payload; top speed 35 knots; armament .50cal M2HB + 40mm GMG)

                    *helicopter type not decided; MH90 unlikely by now, Rheinmetall is trying to sell CH148 Cyclone.

                    Note that while length and beam aren't that much below a Burke DDG (505 x 59 ft for Fl. I/II), draft is only half as deep and only slightly more than a LCS, making the ship suitable for littoral shallow-water operations.

                    Propulsion: CODLAG; 20 MW GT + 9 MW DE; bow thruster.
                    Top speed: 26 knots official
                    Cruising speed: 20 knots
                    Range: 4,000 nm at 18 knots
                    Mission endurance: 24 months w/ 57% sea days*
                    Tactical endurance: 21 days at sea w/o resupply
                    Yard interval: 60 months

                    *current ships: 9 months w/ 29% sea days

                    Radar: Cassidian TRS-4D/NR PAR
                    IRST: Diehl Simone

                    TRS-4D is a medium-range multi-function PAR optimized towards tracking large numbers (up to 1,000) of small, fast targets (update frequency >1Hz). TRS-4D planes are spread over two separate masts (two each) to improve survivability, and are oriented at 45/315 and 135/225 degrees with detection overlap. Diehl Simone is not a singular IRST placed on the masts, but a system consisting of 20+ EO/IR cameras spread around the ship for redundancy and survivability.

                    ASuW/LA suite: 8 Harpoon Block 1C (interim, tbr by 8 RBS15 Mk4), 1 127mm/64 Vulcano (w/ BER*)
                    Self-defense suite: 2 21-cell RAM Block II**, 2 27mm MLG, 4 MASS decoy launchers
                    Close-defense suite: 5 Hitrole-NT .50cal turrets; 2 manual M2HB

                    *BER unguided ER ammo: >38 nm / >70 km. Not bought yet, serial production started this year.
                    **ER variant: >7.3 nm / >13.5 km. Anti-surface capable. Under development.

                    The Hitrole-NT and MLG weapon systems each have autonomous EO/IR sensor outfit and FCS in addition to being tied into and capable of being controlled by ship FCS. Hitrole-NT augments or replaces standard topdeck MG nests for close self-defense; one turret on each side will be able to tilt over the reling to prevent blind arcs, being able to fire at targets right up to the ship's hull. 127mm Vulcano will likely also receive separate EO/IR FC sensors, e.g. MSP500. Each MASS launcher carries an autonomous sensor suite (RWR, NLWS) for automatic firing.
                    The ship additionally carries two water cannons for LTL self-defense and two searchlights to support operations close to the ship.

                    The ship will also entail:
                    - integration of AUV/ROVs for underwater surveillance possibly incl. offboard sonar
                    - C2 center for MIO operations
                    - C3I center for joint land/sea operations
                    - full FCS integration of land-based forces networks
                    - ASCA interface of Vulcano system for NGFS using standard army FO equipment
                    - scheduled full crew exchange in under 48 hours possible
                    - enhanced hospital rooms

                    Primary missions would be MIO and LA/ASuW as well as command center for joint land/sea operations or sea-supported land operations, secondary general surveillance / patrol and general humanitarian assistance stuff.
                    Last edited by kato; 14 May 11,, 12:54.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      The F125's sound like impressive and useful ships.

                      Dimensions: 490 x 62 x 16 ft (149.5 x 18.8 x 5.0 meters)
                      Displacement: 7,000 metric tons standard, 7,200 tons full
                      Accomodation: 120 crew + 20 air crew + 50 troops (190 total)


                      The New German F125 Frigates can be Operated Under Tropical Conditions
                      Attached Files
                      Last edited by USSWisconsin; 14 May 11,, 17:48.
                      sigpic"If your plan is for one year, plant rice. If your plan is for ten years, plant trees.
                      If your plan is for one hundred years, educate children."

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        This is the current visualization, showing among other things the new mast design with the TRS-4D/NR configuration, and some detail changes (e.g. MASS launchers moved to different positions):



                        Model:



                        (note that in the visualization the blinds covering the speedboat bays are closed, in the model they're open)
                        Last edited by kato; 14 May 11,, 18:24.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          The Bundeswehr is currently planning for a little brother to the F125.


                          MKS 180


                          • Planned units: 6
                          • Displacement: up to 5000 tons
                          • Accomodation: ca 210 including 70 troops
                          • Aircraft: 1 medium/large helicopter (max 15t) w/ AShM plus 2 VTOL UAVs
                          • Boats: 2 Fassmer 10m RHIBs (same as F125)
                          • Top speed: 26 knots official
                          • Cruising speed: 18 knots in sea state 4
                          • Range: 4,000 nm at 18 knots
                          • Mission endurance: 24 months w/ 57% sea days
                          • Tactical endurance: 21 days at sea w/o resupply
                          • Yard interval: 60 months

                          No idea why they're not going all the way to 17 tons for the helo though. The Navy recently tested landing a CH-53 on a AOR.

                          The performance data is intentionally identical to F125. Unlike F125, MKS180 is intended to be "suitable for all waters" though, including better seakeeping leading to the cruise speed at sea state 4 requirement, as well as a requirement for ice capability in addition to tropical conditions capability.

                          Armament:
                          • ASuW suite: 1 76mm OTO, ffbnw 4 medium/heavy AShM
                          • Self-defense suite: 2 21-cell RAM Block II, 2 27mm MLG, 2 MASS decoy launchers
                          • Close-defense suite: multiple armoured, NVG-capable weapon stands for manually operated .50cal MGs and 40mm AGLs, snipers and MANPADS/ATGM crews

                          The class will have a similar MIO focus as F125, albeit more in the workhorse function, not the F125's taskforce command function.
                          Consequently, the ship is laid out rather extensively to protect itself against boarding, with a fully walkable upper deck (with the weapon stands), an armoured ready room for troops, all accesses to the ship being restricted needing a PIN or card to enter, 360-degree camera surveillance similar to F125, armouring of all vital areas (command areas, magazines, ready room) against .50cal AP ammunition, radar and laser warning systems, 360-degree IRST, a NBC detector suite and so on.

                          Also, there will be a flexible mission deck, with the following currently planned packages:
                          • Tactical SIGINT / electronic warfare
                          • ASW w/ towed VDS
                          • MCM w/ minehunting drones
                          • diver support (diver chamber)


                          Planned introduction sometime between 2019 and 2022.
                          Attached Files

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                          • #14
                            Appearance ......

                            Originally posted by kato View Post
                            The Bundeswehr is currently planning for a little brother to the F125.


                            MKS 180

                            [ATTACH]29682[/ATTACH]
                            • Planned units: 6
                            • Displacement: up to 5000 tons
                            • Accomodation: ca 210 including 70 troops
                            • Aircraft: 1 medium/large helicopter (max 15t) w/ AShM plus 2 VTOL UAVs
                            • Boats: 2 Fassmer 10m RHIBs (same as F125)
                            • Top speed: 26 knots official
                            • Cruising speed: 18 knots in sea state 4
                            • Range: 4,000 nm at 18 knots
                            • Mission endurance: 24 months w/ 57% sea days
                            • Tactical endurance: 21 days at sea w/o resupply
                            • Yard interval: 60 months

                            No idea why they're not going all the way to 17 tons for the helo though. The Navy recently tested landing a CH-53 on a AOR.

                            The performance data is intentionally identical to F125. Unlike F125, MKS180 is intended to be "suitable for all waters" though, including better seakeeping leading to the cruise speed at sea state 4 requirement, as well as a requirement for ice capability in addition to tropical conditions capability.

                            Armament:
                            • ASuW suite: 1 76mm OTO, ffbnw 4 medium/heavy AShM
                            • Self-defense suite: 2 21-cell RAM Block II, 2 27mm MLG, 2 MASS decoy launchers
                            • Close-defense suite: multiple armoured, NVG-capable weapon stands for manually operated .50cal MGs and 40mm AGLs, snipers and MANPADS/ATGM crews

                            The class will have a similar MIO focus as F125, albeit more in the workhorse function, not the F125's taskforce command function.
                            Consequently, the ship is laid out rather extensively to protect itself against boarding, with a fully walkable upper deck (with the weapon stands), an armoured ready room for troops, all accesses to the ship being restricted needing a PIN or card to enter, 360-degree camera surveillance similar to F125, armouring of all vital areas (command areas, magazines, ready room) against .50cal AP ammunition, radar and laser warning systems, 360-degree IRST, a NBC detector suite and so on.

                            Also, there will be a flexible mission deck, with the following currently planned packages:
                            • Tactical SIGINT / electronic warfare
                            • ASW w/ towed VDS
                            • MCM w/ minehunting drones
                            • diver support (diver chamber)


                            Planned introduction sometime between 2019 and 2022.

                            Little Brother has the appearance of a "transformer" toy.... ;)
                            Capable of doing just about a little bit of everything.

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                            • #15
                              Well, together with the F125 they're basically intended to fill the socalled Dauereinsatzaufgaben ("permanent missions") for the Navy. The Navy has a Level of Ambition that roughly keeps it with the current mission number and type, i.e. four missions which F125 and MKS180 can fill. That relieves the twelve high-intensity warfare ships of the navy (F124,F123,K130) from these "boring" missions.

                              Currently, those four missions are:
                              - OAE, passive surveillance
                              - UNIFIL, active/armed surveillance
                              - SNMG1, ASW taskforce
                              - Atalanta, MIO w/boarding and escort

                              With 4 F125 and 6 MKS180 in high-intensive use, four ships would be deployed on missions at any time. For the above set as an example distribution, that could be e.g. an F125 in Atalanta, a MKS180 configured for ASW in SNMG1, a MKS180 configured for SIGINT in OAE and UNIFIL having alternatingly a F125 (60% of the time) or MKS180 (40% of the time) deployed, depending on whether Germany is the lead nation for the taskforce.

                              The MCM and diver functionality in my opinion is mostly a goody. The F125 will have the same functionality regarding MCM, simply by both being able to deploy mission-specific UUVs and USVs. Whoever thought up that module probably looked at what other low-intensity missions the Navy has done in the past twenty years - and the one that stands out there as a bigger deployment is Operation Southern Flank, the European MCM fleet clearing the Persian Gulf for the US Navy in 1991.

                              To some extent, they're also shoveling additional roles on them just in case they don't get the money necessary for certain projects with the current cuts. Transocean MCM is also planned for the MZES future multi-purpose auxiliaries and the future replacement for our ELINT ships can be refocussed on strategic SIGINT if MKS180 takes over the tactical role (the three ELINT ships have been used in tactical SIGINT roles e.g. irregularly supporting UNIFIL, but the Bundeswehr restructuring demands strategic use - currently one boat is in use against Syria, last year against Libya).

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