Lütjens class destroyer
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 Lütjens in Kiel, 2003 |
|
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Builders: | Bath Iron Works, Maine |
| Operators: | German Navy |
| Succeeded by: | Sachsen-class frigate |
| In commission: | 1969–2003 |
| Completed: | 3 |
| Retired: | 2 |
| Preserved: | 1 |
| General characteristics (Type 103B) | |
| Displacement: | 4,720 tonnes |
| Length: | 133.3 m (437 ft 4 in) |
| Beam: | 14.3 m (46 ft 11 in) |
| Draft: | 6.1 m (20 ft 0 in) |
| Installed power: | 4 × turbo generators, 750 kW each 2 × diesel generators |
| Propulsion: | 2 × high/medium pressure steam turbines 2 × low-pressure turbines 4 × boilers 51.5 MW (69,100 hp) |
| Speed: | 34 knots (63 km/h) maximum[1] |
| Complement: | 337 |
| Sensors and processing systems: |
AN/SPS-40 long-range 2D air surveillance and early-warning radar AN/SPS-67 medium-range sea surveillance radar AN/SPS-52 long-range 3D air surveillance radar 2 × AN/SPG-51C Mk 74 fire-control radars AN/SPQ-9 short range fire-control radar for surface and low flying targets SPG-60 tracking and fire control radar (also radar illumination for the missiles) Raytheon RP 1225 navigation radar Atlas Elektronik DSQS-21B active/passive sonar EADS FL1800 ESM suite |
| Electronic warfare and decoys: |
2 × SRBOC 6 cell chaff and flare launcher 1 × SLQ-25 Nixie torpedo decoy 1 × EADS FL1800 ESM/ECM suite |
| Armament: | 2 × 127 mm/54 Mk 42 mod 10 guns 2 × Rheinmetall Rh202 20 mm autocannons 1 × Modified Mark 13 launcher: SM-1MR surface to air missile (usually 32) Harpoon anti-ship missile (usually 8) 2 × Mk 49 launcher, 21 RAM surface to air missiles each 6 × 324 mm (12.8 in) torpedo tubes, DM4A1 and Mark 46 torpedoes 1 × ASROC launcher, 8 cells |
The Type 103 Lütjens class was the last class of destroyers in service with the German Navy. They were replaced by the new Sachsen-class frigates, designated frigate even though they are much larger and more capable in all aspects than the Lütjens class destroyers. Basically the ships were Charles F. Adams-class guided missile destroyers but with some modifications to meet German requirements:
- Communication systems according to German standards. The Lütjens class had more aerials and a second mast mounted on the aft funnel, the large air surveillance radar was positioned further aft (above the funnel).
- Different funnel design. This was necessary because of the new antennas and radar location. On the Lütjens the exhaust gases were emitted sideways with two pipes on the port and starboard side of each funnel.
- New location of the sonar array: The Lütjens had its sonar dome located in a bulge directed forward in the bow and not under the bow to reduce the ship's draft.
- Better crew accommodations.
The Lütjens class was upgraded to Type 103A in the 1970s with new digital fire-control computers and better missiles for the old Tartar SM1 missile system. The boilers were also converted to burn lighter oil for logistical reasons instead of the heavy fuel oil that needs to be preheated.
A second major refit began in the 1980s, with new fire control computers and radar for the guns.
In the 1990s, the ships in the class each received two RAM launchers and Chaff launchers.
With the decommissioning of Lütjens (D185) on December 18, 2003 the age of steam ended for the German Navy. Mölders (D186) became a Museum Ship at the German Navy Museum in Wilhelmshaven.
Contents |
[edit] List of ships
| Pennant number |
Name | Call sign |
Commissioned | Decom- missioned |
Fate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D185 | Lütjens | DRAE | March 22, 1969 | December 18, 2003 | to be sold as target ship to the USA |
| D186 | Mölders | DRAF | September 20, 1969 | May 28, 2003 | Museum ship in Wilhelmshaven |
| D187 | Rommel | DRAG | May 20, 1970 | September 30, 1998 | cannibalized, 2004 scrapped in Turkey |
All three ships were built by Bath Iron Works in the USA. They were named after famous German officers that died in World War II. In service they formed the 1. Zerstörergeschwader (first destroyer squadron) and were based in Kiel.
[edit] Trivia
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Trivia sections are discouraged under Wikipedia guidelines. The article could be improved by integrating relevant items and removing inappropriate ones. |
- The ships were nicknamed "the three holy cows" in the German Navy because of their high-priority status.
- They were the last steam powered units in service with the German Navy.
[edit] References
- ^ Speeds over 30 knots could only sustained for a limited time due to the enormous fuel consumption. With two active boilers the ship could achieve speeds up to 27 kn. Three boilers made 30 kn achievable. For any speed beyond 30 kn all four boilers were needed.
- Zerstörer Mölders (German)
- Zerstörer Rommel (German)
- Zerstörer Teil II - private Homepage of Richard Stokowski (German)
[edit] See also
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