Hämeenmaa class minelayer

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FNS Hämeenmaa
FNS Hämeenmaa
Class overview
Name: Hämeenmaa
Preceded by: Keihässalmi class minelayers
Succeeded by: -
Completed: 2
General characteristics
Type: Minelayer
Displacement: 1,300 tons
Length: 77.8 m
Beam: 11.5 m
Draught: 3 m
Propulsion: 2 × Wärtsilä Vasa 16V22 diesel; 5,200 kW with 2 CW propellers
Speed: 20 knots
Complement: 60
Sensors and
processing systems:		 Selesmar ARPA radar
Radamec 2400 optronic director
Simrad hull-mounted sonar
Electronic warfare
and decoys:		 Decoy: ML/Wallo Superbarricade multichaff and IR flairs
ESM: Thales Matilda radar warning system
Armament: 1 × Bofors 57 mm/70 SAK Mk1
8-cell Denel Umkhonto-IR VLS SAM system
4 × 12.7 mm machine guns
2 × RBU-1200 ASROC launchers
2 × rails for depth charges
4 × rails for 100-150 mines
Notes: Ships in class include:
FNS Hämeenmaa (02)
FNS Uusimaa (05)

The Hämeenmaa class minelayers (Finnish: Hämeenmaa-luokan miinalaiva) is two vessel strong class of minelayers, used by the Finnish Navy.

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

During a crisis the main task for the Hämeenmaa class ships is minelaying, but the vessels can also act as escort, transport and depot ships.

Contents

[edit] History

FNS Uusimaa in Helsinki.
FNS Uusimaa in Helsinki.

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.

[edit] Modernization

Both ships are being modernized 2006-2008. The purpose of the modernization is to firstly upgrade the ships' equipment to fit modern standards, and secondly, to enable the ships to participate in international operations, mainly European Security and Defence Policy 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.

Weaponry:
Original After modernization
  • 2 × Bofors 40 mm dual-purpose guns
  • 2 × twin 23 mm anti-aircraft guns
  • 1 × six-missile ItO 91 surface-to-air missile launcher
  • 2 × anti-submarine rocket launchers
  • 2 × depth charge rails
  • 100-150 sea mines (four mine laying rails)
  • 1 × Bofors 57 mm dual-purpose gun
  • 1 × eight-cell ItO 04 surface-to-air missile launcher
  • 2 × anti-submarine rocket launchers
  • 2 × depth charge rails
  • 100-150 sea mines (four mine laying rails)

Hämeenmaa was delivered from the dock back to the Navy on 13 April 2007 and Uusimaa, which had been under modernization since April 2006 at the Aker Yards dock in Rauma, was delivered on 26 October 2007. Hämeenmaa and Uusimaa will be conducting sea trials on their new systems until the end of 2008, when operational readiness is achieved.[1]

[edit] Vessels

FNS Hämeenmaa
Pennant number: 02.
Builder: Finnyards.
Ordered: 29 December 1989.
Laid down: 2 April 1991.
Launched: 11 November 1991.
Commissioned: 15 April 1992.
Home base: Pansio.
Current status: In active service.
FNS Uusimaa
Pennant number: 05.
Builder: Finnyards.
Ordered: 13 February 1991.
Laid down: 12 November 1991.
Launched: June 1992.
Commissioned: 2 December 1992.
Home base: Pansio.
Current status: In active service.

[edit] References

  1. ^ www.mil.fi 26.10.2007
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