CV32 Posted May 28, 2010 Report Posted May 28, 2010 Standing NATO Maritime Group One (SNMG1), the old STANAVFORLANT, will be in town over the weekend. This will include the flagship, the Danish Absalon class command and support vessel HDMS Absalon (L16); the German Bremen class frigate FGS Karlsruhe (F212); the US Perry class frigate USS Boone (FFG-28); and the German Rhon (Type 704A) class replenishment oiler FGS Spessart (A1443). They have been joined by the Canadian Halifax class frigate HMCS Toronto (FFH 333). If I do get a chance to get down to the waterfront, I will be particularly interested in seeing Absalon, but even if I do not, I am told that another of our members here might get the opportunity. Quote
CV32 Posted May 31, 2010 Author Report Posted May 31, 2010 On Saturday I was busy acting as a range safety officer for our club's 'black rifle' shoot, and did not get down to see the NATO ships in port, but as it turns out, Sunday was a much better day for weather and I found time to get aboard the HDMS Absalon as I had hoped. Pics follow as promised ... 1. Starboard bow view of the Absalon class command and support vessel HDMS Absalon (L16) 2. Female sailor of the Royal Danish Navy with a M/96 carbine (a version of the Canadian Diemaco C8A2) ... in short, girls with guns, this is promising 3. Waiting to get aboard, with a view of the starboard side RHIB deployment point, and high above it, a 0.50 cal (12.7mm) MG under wraps 4. On the flight deck, looking forward, with a view of the aft 35mm Millennium gun mount 5. Another view of the flight deck, from the starboard aft corner .. its quite large 6. Entering the hangar through the port side, looking forward 7. Super Lynx Mk.90B (unit S-170), stowed inside the hangar on the starboard side 8. Forward view of the Super Lynx Mk.90B 9. A closer look at the 0.50 cal (12.7mm) M3M heavy MG aboard the Super Lynx Mk.90B 10. Another view of the helo as we move forward ... 11. A view of the two quad Mk 141 launchers for eight RGM-84L Harpoon Block II missiles and the Dual Pack (DP-48) variant of the Mk 56/Mk 48 VLS for six RIM-162C Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles (ESSM) 12. A closer look at the Harpoon Block II launchers 13. My daughter and nephew serving as size comparison for a view of the port side Mk 56/Mk 48 VLS 14. Mk 141 and Mk 56/Mk 48 modules, starboard side 15. A view of the port side Mk 56/Mk 48 VLS aboard Absalon and the starboard side Mk 48 VLS aboard the Canadian Navy Halifax class frigate HMCS Toronto, both of which now carry RIM-162C ESSM 16. An overall view of the modular weapons area aboard Absalon; a total of 8 Harpoon Block II and 12 ESSMs onboard at this time 17. My daughter standing beside the ship's bell and Lindo Yard nameplate, immediately behind the bridge of Absalon 18. A view of the spacious bridge, looking to port 19. They asked for clearance to shoot a Harpoon, but sadly it was not granted Quote
CV32 Posted May 31, 2010 Author Report Posted May 31, 2010 20. Forward view from the bridge 21. A closer look of that rather mean looking forward 35mm Millennium gun mount 22. Port side, above and behind the bridge, with a 0.50 cal MG under wraps 23. View of the SPS-49A(V)5 radar aboard HMCS Toronto, as seen from the bridge deck of Absalon 24. Forward CEROS 200 fire control directors aboard the Absalon. These appear to be the 'Stealth' version of CEROS 200 but were lacking their covers for the optics 25. Forward gun armament of the Absalon, including the 127mm/54 Mk 45 Mod 4 and the forward 35mm Millennium, as seen from the bow of HMCS Toronto 26. Port side, bridge view of the Absalon; she is quite a bit taller than Toronto. Also visible is her SMART-S Mk 2 radar atop the main mast. Quote
CV32 Posted May 31, 2010 Author Report Posted May 31, 2010 27. On the forecastle of the Halifax class frigate HMCS Toronto (FFH 333), looking aft, with a view of the 57mm Bofors Mk 2 mount and the HDMS Absalon on her starboard side 28. Starboard aft view of the Absalon, including the closed up stern ramp and 'flex deck' entry point 29. From the flight deck of Absalon, with a view of the Bremen (Type 122) class frigate FGS Karlsruhe (F212) and the Rohn (Type 704A) class oiler FGS Spessart (A1442). 30. Bremen (Type 122) class frigate Karlsruhe with Rohn (Type 704A) class oiler Spessart tied up on her port side 31. Starboard side, bridge view of the Karlsruhe 32. Starboard bow view of the Karlsruhe, including the Mk 29 NATO Seasparrow launcher and the 76mm/62 Compact gun mount 33. Starboard amidships view of Karlsruhe, including the two quad Mk 141 Harpoon launchers and the starboard 27mm MLG27 cannon mount 34. Starboard side of Karlsruhe, looking aft 35. Starboard aft view of Karlsruhe, visible are her two 21 cell Mk 49 RAM launchers 36. Closer view of the starboard aft RAM launcher 37. Closer view of the TRS-3D radar that replaced the DW.08 38. One member of SNMG-1 was apparently feeling anti-social, the US Navy Perry frigate USS Boone (FFG-28) Quote
broncepulido Posted May 31, 2010 Report Posted May 31, 2010 For me Absalon is a very interesting multipurpose ship, with a lot of space for expansions. And yes, it's double the size of LCS, but without fancy ideas, and only the double amount of steel, not a lot more of price. Of course Absalon it's not a standard frigate, but I think it's closer to the LCS concept than the same LCS Quote
CV32 Posted June 1, 2010 Author Report Posted June 1, 2010 For me Absalon is a very interesting multipurpose ship, with a lot of space for expansions. And yes, it's double the size of LCS, but without fancy ideas, and only the double amount of steel, not a lot more of price. Of course Absalon it's not a standard frigate, but I think it's closer to the LCS concept than the same LCS Absalon class - the true LCS? Quote
broncepulido Posted June 1, 2010 Report Posted June 1, 2010 I dont known previously that article, but I'm glad I'm not the only one with the same thinking about this matter .... Quote
divefreak Posted June 2, 2010 Report Posted June 2, 2010 I dont known previously that article, but I'm glad I'm not the only one with the same thinking about this matter .... Stanflex is the better concept.... Quote
CV32 Posted June 2, 2010 Author Report Posted June 2, 2010 Stanflex is the better concept.... Well, to be fair to the Danish, the Absalon class does incorporate the 'Stanflex' concept generally, although not quite as flexibly as the smaller vessels (which I am guessing you are referring to). Quote
divefreak Posted June 2, 2010 Report Posted June 2, 2010 Stanflex is the better concept.... Well, to be fair to the Danish, the Absalon class does incorporate the 'Stanflex' concept generally, although not quite as flexibly as the smaller vessels (which I am guessing you are referring to). Afaik the only Stan-Flex Module (capability) that cannot be used on Absalon are the ASuW Torps... And I´m not sure if it is in use anymore by the Flyvefisken!? Absalon and the new Frigates can use the 3 different Gunmodules, SSM and SAM Module. Sonar, Minecapabilty, Patrolboats etc are integral parts of the larger ships. So you´re right the small StanFlex 300 Boats are more flexible, but i think the two large types don´t lack any capabilty that can be fitted to the smaller ones... to clarify my statement about Stanflex It is incorporated in at least 5 Ship classes ranging from 29m/98t with 1 Stanflex position upto 137m/6300t with 8 StanFlexpositions.... you have ready modules for 3 different guns ranging from 35 to 127mm, modern SAM (ESSM),SSM, MCM, Minelaying, ASW (VDS + 324mm TT), ..... It´s like a lego kit, lots of bricks use your fantasy to build the mission fit you need on a hull of the desired range. For example, LCS-1 would be far more capable when it gets 4-5 Stanflex container positions..... instead of the US made concept! Quote
CV32 Posted June 2, 2010 Author Report Posted June 2, 2010 Afaik the only Stan-Flex Module (capability) that cannot be used on Absalon are the ASuW Torps ... Absalon and the new Frigates can use the 3 different Gunmodules, SSM and SAM Module. Though I suppose potentially possible, I think it would be awkward to put a gun module where the Harpoons and ESSMs are currently housed on the Absalon. Quote
divefreak Posted June 2, 2010 Report Posted June 2, 2010 Afaik the only Stan-Flex Module (capability) that cannot be used on Absalon are the ASuW Torps ... Absalon and the new Frigates can use the 3 different Gunmodules, SSM and SAM Module. Though I suppose potentially possible, I think it would be awkward to put a gun module where the Harpoons and ESSMs are currently housed on the Absalon. The 35mm Guns at least the Forward Position seems to be Stanflex: Fordækket (A-positionen) er forberedt til installation af en 127 mm Maskinkanon M/02 LvSa, ligesom B-positionen er en containerposition, hvor den monterede 76 mm kanon eksempelvis kan udskiftes med en 35 mm Maskinkanon M/04 LvSa (CIWS). This ist about the Iver Huitfeld FFG. Postion A is prepared for a 127mm Gun Position B is a (Stanflex) Container Position where the mounted76mm Gun can be exchanaged for example with a 35mm millenium Gun Take a look at the 35mm socket: You were on Board, is it matching with the quoted size? Each module is housed in a stainless steel container measuring 3 metres (9.8 ft) in length, 3.5 metres (11 ft) in width, and 2.5 metres (8.2 ft) in height because compared with this: it might be a Module!? Quote
CV32 Posted June 2, 2010 Author Report Posted June 2, 2010 You were on Board, is it matching with the quoted size? Seems to be about the right size. Quote
VCDH Posted June 3, 2010 Report Posted June 3, 2010 It looks like Brad and I had the same ideas when it came to picture taking. For the most part his pics jive with mine, I did go a little more into the technical details..... This is the gun on the Lynx.... The optical sight on top of the gun The new EOSS sensor mounted above the bridge of HMCS Toronto The control station for the FCRs, the laser safety switches are on top Here are three pics of the interior of the Sea King on HMCS Toronto The MLG-27 Gun on FGS Karlsruhe Chicks with guns.... Masthead sensors on HMDS Absolon Someone closed a valve on one of the ships and blew out the valve at the fire hydrant....I was on Absolon at the time USS Boone, note the FRC in the harbor, the guy in the bow had the M-16, note the twin .50 cals above the bridge The SLQ-32 emitter on USS Boone, compare the size of it with the people to the right.... Mk75 76mm gun mechanism on USS Boone, note the feed hopper on the left, the breech is closed but the gun tapion was open allowing me to view out the barrel The FLIR on the side of the Mk15 Phalanx Note the barrel clamp, the FLIR, and expanded magazine that make up the Block 1A version of Phalanx Bridge of USS Boone, note the small brass dial that they call the ships wheel Port .50 cal, note the tracer rounds in the second picture This is from inside the engine control room This is the damage control station This is the crews mess. I was informed that they have bearthing with up to 8 guys to a room....damn... Security was quite high on USS Boone, but the crew seemed very friendly and willing to answer some questions. One of the fire control men told me that there was to be no replacement for the Mk13 mount. In addition to the twin .50 cals above the bridge, there was also two single .50s on the flight deck and an M240B next to the 76mm gun. Compare this to the one or two crew members of the other NATO ships that were armed with assault rifles. In addition to the engine room, we also walked past a variety of fire fighting equipment, more than I've seen on on other US ships [the Brits are the all time champ when it comes to that]. Also, there was no helo embarked on USS Boone, the port hangar contained a TEU used to store extra food for the Africa leg of the trip, while the starboard side was the gym, which is apparently now standard in the class. Later D Quote
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