Hämeenmaa class minelayer

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Contents 1 Introduction 2 History 3 Specifications 4 Vessels 5 References

[edit] Introduction

The Hämeenmaa class minelayer (Finnish: Hämeenmaa-luokan miinalaiva) is a type of vessel in use by the Finnish Navy.

The ships have a steel hull and alloy superstructure. The class has an ice operating classification of ICE-1A so it can operate all year round. The design included some first attempts on stealth technology in the Finnish Navy.

During a crisis the main task for Hämeenmaa is mine laying. It also acts as a transport and depot ship.

[edit] History

The contract for the Hämeenmaa class was originally awarded to Wärtsilä Meriteollisuus, but following its bankruptcy the contract was transferred to Hollming. Turmoil in the Finnish shipbuilding industry didn't stop there. In early 1992 Hollming and Rauma Yards merged their shipbuilding industry to form a new company called Finnyards.

Both ships are being modernized 2006-2008. The purpose of the modernisation is to firstly upgrade the ships' equipment to fit modern standards, and secondly, to enable the ships to participate in international operations, mainly the European Rapid Reaction Force operations. They are fitted with weapons systems transferred from the discontinued Tuuli class hovercrafts including the Umkhonto missile system. Also a new fire control system, modern monitoring equipment (radar and sonar), and possibly other modernised equipment will be installed.

[edit] Specifications

• Designation: Minelayer
• Displacement: 1300 tons
• Dimensions:
  • Length: 77 m
  • Beam: 11.6 m
  • Draft: 3 m
• Main machinery: 2 * Wärtsilä Vasa 16V22 diesel; 5200 kW
• Propulsion: 2 CP propellers
• Speed: 20 knots
• Armament:
  • 1 * sextuple Mistral SAM launcher
  • 2 * Bofors 40 mm/70
  • 2 * Sako twin-barrel 23 mm/87 (modified ZU-23-2)
  • 2 * RBU 1200 5-tubed ASW mortars
  • 2 racks for 16 depth charges
  • 4 rails for 100-150 mines
• Countermeasures:
  • Decoy: ML/Wallo Superbarricade multichaff and IR flairs
  • ESM: Thales Matilda radar warning system
• Electronics:
  • Selesmar ARPA radar
  • Radamec 2400 optronic director
  • Simrad hull-mounted sonar
• Crew: 70
• Yard: Finnyards Rauma, Finland

[edit] Vessels

Name	Pennant	Builder	Ordered	Laid down	Launched	Commissioned	Home port	Status
Finnish Navy
Hämeenmaa	02	Finnyards	December 29, 1989	April 2, 1991	November 11, 1991	April 15, 1992	Pansio	Active
Uusimaa	05	Finnyards	February 13, 1991	November 12, 1991	June, 1992	December 2, 1992	Pansio	Active

[edit] References

• Finnish Defence Forces. Retrieved on August 6, 2005.
• Aker Finnyards. Retrieved on August 6, 2005.
• Tuurnala, Alpo (2004). Harmaat laivat. Helsinki: Art-Print. ISBN 952-9745-16-8.