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marine rocket launcher, and two torpedo tubes. Conceived mainly for escort mis- sions, the E 71 frigates are not equipped with helicopters or an anti-missile weapon system, but after the Falklands war the Bel- gian Navy began selection of a suitable type to install in the Wie- lingen Class. Main electronics are provided by the Dutch firm HSA, and include the fully integrated and auto- mated command and control sys- tem HSA SEWACO 4; the sonar is a U.S.-built Westinghouse SQS 505 A. The Wielingen propulsion plant is based on a Rolls Royce Olympus TM 38 28,000-bhp gas turbine and two Cockerill C0.240 diesel en- gines in combined diesel or gas (CODOG) arrangement. Maximum speed is 29 knots and range is 4,500 miles at 18 knots. In 1978 Canada approved a Pa- trol Frigate Program for six units to be built in national shipyards. After a long selection process, the contract was awarded recently to a consortium of St. John Ship- building and Sperry. Basic re- quirements are for a ship of 4,000 tons displacement armed with Harpoon surface-to-surface missile launchers, a point air defense mis- sile system in vertical launchers (probably Sea Sparrow), a medium gun (Bofors or OTO Melara), an anti-missile weapon system, two Sea King large helicopters in a hangar, and ASW torpedo tubes. The propulsion plant will be based on gas turbines (probably GE LM 2500) in CODOG configuration. Denmark placed an order in 1975 with the Aalborg Waerft yard for three light frigates of 1,300 tons displacement designed by the British Y-ARD firm. Designed for operations in the Baltic theater, the Niels Juel Class ships are all in service and present a well-bal- anced weapons array, including eight Harpoon surface-to-surface missile launchers, an 8-cell Sea Sparrow surface-to-air missile launcher, a 76-mm OTO Malara compact gun, and four antisub- marine torpedo tubes. A General Dynamics RAM missile/anti-mis- sile system will be fitted to com- plete the weapons package. Main propulsion for the Danish ships is provided by a General Electric LM 2500 18,400-bhp gas turbine and two MTU diesel en- gines in CODOG arrangement; maximum speed is 30 knots. Ra- dars and sonars are from Plessey; fire control systems and combat information center are from Phil- ips (Sweden). No helicopter facili- ties are provided. France did not participate in NATO's Project Group II but the French Marine Nationale devel- oped for its own operating needs a type of light escort ship, and in 1972 began a program for 18 units characterized by simplicity, econ- omy and ease of operation. Known as the A 69 or D Estienne d'Orves Class, these 1,300-ton light frig- ates were designed by Direction Techniques des Constructiones Navales and built by the Lorient Naval Dockyard using prefabri- cated modules extensively. Primarily intended for coastal ASW operations, the French ships are fitted with rather light arma- ment—two or four Exocet surface- to-surface missile launchers, a 100-mm Creusot Loire gun, an an- tisubmarine rocket launcher, and four torpedo tubes. Electronics are from Thomson CSF and CSEE. Propulsion is provided by two S.E.M.T.-Pielstick 12,000-bhp die- sel engines driving two shafts; maximum speed is 24 knots. Federal Republic of Germany requirements influenced greatly the decisions of NATO's Project Group II for a new type of frigate. Bundesmarine required particular characteristics of seaworthiness, endurance, multi-role capabilities, and combat effectiveness. Similar in appearance to the Dutch Kor- tenaer Class, the F 122 or Bremen Class frigates have been designed by Bremer Vulkan. Six ships were ordered at four yards; the first three are already in service and (continued from page 32) Our turnaround time «AN11 tmn AM Newport News Shipbuilding A Tenneco Company It takes complete facilities. No other yard in the Western Hemisphere can match us. Wheth- er it's for rou- tine maintenance, emergency repairs, extensive machinery and hull repairs, jumboizing conversion or design and installation of inert gas systems, crude oil washing sys- tems, segregated ballast or other modifications to meet IMCO standards, we can handle it. Because we can perform all repair services ourselves, we maintain com- plete control. This minimum depen- dence on out- side sources contributes to our excellent record for quick turnaround and on-time delivery. That's a major reason we do more cruise ship business than any other U.S. yard. We can han- dle unexpected repairs that turn up during planned mainte- nance and still deliver the ship in time for its scheduled cruises. It takes people. We have over 24,000 of the most highly skilled men and women in the industry, includ- ing 2000 engineers and designers. It takes experience. We have been building and repairing ships for nearly 100 years. With our know-how and our people, it's no surprise that we can provide the finest service at competitive rates. The more complex the job, the more you need us. Newport News Shipbuilding. Newport News, Virginia 23607. (804) 380-2600/ Telex 82-3453. TWX 710-880-0007. October 15, 1983 Write 161 on Reader Service Card 31
