Ula class submarine |
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| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Builders: | Kongsberg/Nordseewerke |
| Operators: | Royal Norwegian Navy |
| Preceded by: | Kobben class |
| Built: | 1987–1992 |
| In commission: | April 1989[1] – present |
| Completed: | 6 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Submarine |
| Displacement: | Surface: 1,040 tons Submerged: 1,150 tons |
| Length: | 59 m (194 ft) |
| Beam: | 5.4 m (18 ft) |
| Draft: | 4.6 m (15 ft) |
| Propulsion: | Diesel-electric 2 MTU 16V 396 diesel engines (970kW each) 1 electric motor, 6,000 shp |
| Speed: | Surface: 11 kn (20 km/h) Submerged: 23 kn (43 km/h) |
| Range: | 5,000 miles at 8 knots (15 km/h) |
| Test depth: | 200+m (700+ft)[2] |
| Complement: | Approx. 18–21 |
| Sensors and processing systems: |
Radar: Kelvin Hughes 1007 Surface Search Sonar: Atlas Elektronik CSU83 Thomson Sintra flank array |
| Armament: | 8 bow 21" torpedo tubes 14 Atlas Elektronik DM2A3 torpedoes |
| Notes: | Unit cost: 700,000,000 NOK[1] |
The Ula class is a Norwegian submarine type which was assembled in Germany in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The class, consisting of 6 vessels, is currently the only submarine type in service with the Royal Norwegian Navy.
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The ordering of a new Norwegian submersible design stemmed from a 1972 decision to modernize the Royal Norwegian Navy (RNoN) submarine flotilla, which then consisted of the aging Kobben class submarines.
The construction of the vessels was an international project. The combat systems were made in Norway by Kongsberg, the attack sonar is German and the flank sonars French. The hull sections were produced in Norway, and then assembled in Germany by Thyssen Nordseewerke, Emden. In Germany, the design is known as the U-Boot-Klasse 210.
When commissioned Ulas were the first Norwegian submarines with bedding for the entire crew and a shower.[1]
The Ula class submarines are among the most silent and maneuverable submarines in the world. This, in combination with the relatively small size, makes them difficult to detect from surface vessels and ideal for operations in coastal areas. The Ula class submarines are regarded as both the most effective and cost-effective weapons in the RNoN.
In recent years, several submarines of the Ula class have been deployed in the Mediterranean Sea in support of the NATO Operation Active Endeavour, where their intelligence gathering ability have surpassed expectations. Their operational availability proved to be the highest of all the ships taking part in the operation. However, this deployment has highlighted the need to make the Ula class submarines better able to keep temperatures from getting too high for the crew when operating in warm waters. As a response to this, the HNoMS Ula have now been "tropicalized" by installing new cooling systems, and two more of the class are due for "tropicalization".
During the period 2006-2008, the Ula class will be modernized. Most notably, the submarines will get new communication equipment (Link 11), new electronic warfare support measures and a periscope upgrade.[3] In May 2008, the contract for new sonars was signed. The first submarine will have new sonar in 21 months time, and the last in 52 months (mil.no article). The Ula class will probably be kept in service until 2020.[4]
Six submarines were delivered (1989-1992) to the RNoN. All of them have their home base at Haakonsvern in Bergen. The boats are all named after places in Norway, with the exception of the S305, Uredd, which directly translates to "Unscared". The ship prefix for RNoN vessels is KNM (Kongelig Norsk Marine, Royal Norwegian Navy) in Norwegian, HNoMS (His Norwegian Majesty's Ship) in English.
| # | Name | Commissioned |
|---|---|---|
| S 300 | HNoMS Ula | 1989 |
| S 301 | HNoMS Utsira | 1992 |
| S 302 | HNoMS Utstein | 1991 |
| S 303 | HNoMS Utvær | 1990 |
| S 304 | HNoMS Uthaug | 1991 |
| S 305 | HNoMS Uredd | 1990 |
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