Jump to content

Gepard-class fast attack craft

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Puma
Class overview
Operators
Preceded byAlbatros class
Succeeded byBraunschweig-class corvette
In commission1982-present
Planned10
Completed10
Active2
Retired8
Preserved1
General characteristics
TypeFast attack craft
Displacement390 t (380 long tons)
Length57.6 m (189 ft)
Beam7.8 m (25 ft 7 in)
Draught2.6 m (8 ft 6 in)
Propulsion4 × diesel engines, totalling 13,235 kW (17,748 hp)
Speed40 knots (74 km/h; 46 mph)
Complement5 officers, 31 enlisted
Electronic warfare
& decoys
  • Decoy launcher HOT DOG
  • Chaff launcher DAG 2200 Wolke
Armament

The Type 143A Gepard class was a class of missile bearing fast attack craft (German: Schnellboot) and the last one in service with the German Navy before the remaining four operational ships were decommissioned on 16 November 2016. The Ghana Navy operates two such ships.

It is an evolution of the Albatros class, the main difference being the replacement of the second 76 mm gun by the RAM system. The Gepard-class vessels were gradually supplemented by Braunschweig-class corvettes and later replaced completely by them.

The ships in class were named after small to medium-sized predatory animals; Gepard is German for "cheetah".

List of ships

[edit]
NATO
pennant
number
German
pennant
number
Name Call
sign
Commissioned Decommissioned Status
P6121 S 71 Gepard DRCE 7 December 1982 12 December 2014 Museum ship in Wilhelmshaven
P6122 S 72 Puma DRCF 17 February 1983 14 December 2015
P6123 S 73 Hermelin DRCG 28 April 1983 16 November 2016[1]
P6124 S 74 Nerz DRCH 14 July 1983 31 March 2012 Transferred to Ghana Navy
P6125 S 75 Zobel DRCI 28 September 1983 16 November 2016[1]
P6126 S 76 Frettchen DRCJ 16 December 1983 16 November 2016[1]
P6127 S 77 Dachs DRCK 22 March 1984 31 March 2012 Transferred to Ghana Navy
P6128 S 78 Ozelot DRCL 25 May 1984 18 December 2014
P6129 S 79 Wiesel DRCM 12 July 1984 14 December 2015
P6130 S 80 Hyäne DRCN 13 November 1984 16 November 2016[1]

The "S" and the number are part of the ship's full name. When the ships were first commissioned, their designation included only the number; however, the crews petitioned for full names, and the decision was made to combine the original names with the additional animal name.

Since 1 July 2006, all ships had formed part of the 7. Schnellbootgeschwader (7th Fast Patrol Boat Squadron), whereas for the eight years prior the flotilla was split into (hulls S 76–S 80) 2. Schnellbootgeschwader (2nd Fast Patrol Boat Squadron), and (hulls S 71–S 75) 7. Schnellbootgeschwader. The squadron was stationed in Warnemünde, where both predecessor squadrons had been based.

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d "Germany retires last fast attack craft". Naval Today. 16 November 2016. Retrieved 4 December 2016.

References

[edit]