Absalon-class command and support ships

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Absalon class command and support ships

Navy	Royal Danish Navy
Class Overview
Class Type	Command and Support Ship
Class Name	In honor of bishop Absalon (1128-1201)
Preceded By	Falster-class minelayers
General Characteristics
Displacement:	6,600 tons full load
Length:	137.6 m (451 ft)
Beam:	19.5 m (64 ft)
Draft:	6.3 m (21 ft)
Propulsion:	2 MTU 8000 M70 diesel engines; two shafts, 22,300 bhp (16.4 mW)
Speed:	24+ knots
Range:	9,000 nautical miles at 15 knots
Complement:	100 + aircrew and transients (accommodation for up to 300 in total)
Armament:	• 1 5 inch (127mm/62) Mk-45 mod 4 lightweight gun • 2 35mm Oerlikon Contraves CIWS • 6 12.7mm Heavy machine gun • MU90 Impact ASW torpedoes • up to 36 VLS RIM-162 ESSM/RIM-7 Sea Sparrow (Mk 56/Mk 48 VLS) • 6 Stinger Point-defence SAM • 8-16 Harpoon Block II SSM
Aircraft:	• 2 EH-101 (aft helicopter deck and hangars)
Sensors:	• Thales SMART-S Mk2 3D volume search radar • Terma Scanter 4100 surface search radar • Atlas ASO 94 sonar • 4 Saab CEROS 200 fire control radars • ES-3701 Tactical Radar Electronic Support Measures (ESM)

The command and support ships of the Absalon class are based on a frigate-type design but built with an internal multipurpose deck and a stern vehicle ramp. The ships can serve as command platforms for a staff of 75 persons (naval or joint staff), transport ships for 200 troops plus 55 vehicles including up to 7 MBTs, minelayers with a capacity of 300 mines or as hospital ships. The ships carry two LCPs (landing crafts).

The ships are built by Odense Steel Shipyard, Denmark.

The class is also termed flexible support ships or combat support ships.