Alvand class frigate

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A port view of the Iranian destroyer escort IIS Saam (DE-71), redesignated IS Alvand (F-71).

The Alvand class (also called the Saam class frigate or the 'Vosper Mk 5 type) comprise four Iranian light patrol frigates. Only three are currently in service, although Jane's Fighting ships 2006-07 reports that the wreck of the Sahand is being re-built.

The United Kingdom built all four ships which were originally armed with nine Sea Cat anti-air missiles and five Sea Killer anti-ship missiles. Iranian Navy has replaced the missiles with Chinese variants.

One Alvand-class frigate, the Sahand, was sunk by U.S. forces during Operation Praying Mantis in 1988 after unsuccessfully firing upon an A-6 Intruder flying from the USS Enterprise. It was then struck by Harpoon missiles from this aircraft, and then a coordinated Harpoon attack from its wingman and a nearby surface ship.

[edit] Specification

• Dimensions:
  • Length: 94.5 m (310 feet)
  • Beam: 11.07 m (36 feet)
  • Draught: 3.25 m (10.5 feet)
• Displacement: 1,100 tons (1,540 tons full load)
• Armament
  • 4 x C-802 anti-ship missiles
  • 1 × 4.5 inch (114 mm) Mark 8 gun
  • 1 x twin 20 mm AAA, 2 x single 20 mm AAA
  • 2 × 81 mm mortars, 2 × 0.50cal machine guns, 1 x Limbo ASW mortar, 2 x triple 12.75 in torpedo tubes
• Crew: 125-146
• Maximum speed: 39 knots.
• Range: 5,000 nm at 15 knots
• Propulsion:
  • 2 shafts
  • 2 Paxman Ventura cruising diesels
    • 3,800 bhp
    • 17 knots
  • 2 Rolls Royce Olympus TM-3A boost gas turbines
    • 46,000 shp
    • 39 knots

[edit] Ships in the class

[edit] External links

• Photos of Alvand-class frigates in Operation Praying Mantis

[edit] Sources

• http://www.iinavy.org/faramarz.htm
• http://www.mafhoum.com/press8/237P2.pdf
• http://www.ii.uj.edu.pl/~artur/enc/F2.htm

This naval article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.