HNoMS Helge Ingstad (F313) is an all-modern guided-misisle frigate serving the Royal Norwegian Navy (RNN). She is part of the Fridtjof Nansen-class standard embodied through five total vessels led by Fridtjof Nansen (F310) herself. All remain in active service as of this writing (2018).
Helge Ingstad was ordered on June 23rd, 2000 and her construction was handled by the experienced shipbuilders of Navantia of Spain. Her keel was subsequently laid down on April 28th, 2006 and the hull was launched on November 23rd, 2007. She was formally commissioned on September 29th, 2009.
Walk-Around
The class is built around the widely-accepted concept of naval stealth design and, as such, the warship's appearance includes large swathes of slab-siding with an unbroken deck line running from bow to stern. The forecastle is barren save for the sole turreted deck gun. A vertically-launching missile bay is seated in the forecastle aft of the gun turret and ahead of the bridge superstructure noted for its large, rectangular windows and its towering, all-enclosed mast works. The smoke funnels are of a low-profile design and completely enclosed as part of the hull superstructure. The superstructure is a single continuous component with few breaks in its lines leading to a secondary structure mass closer to the stern (housing a full-service hangar with attached helipad).
Structural, Machinery, and Performance
As designed, the warship has a displacement of 5,300 tons with dimensions including a length of 439.6 feet, a beam of 55 feet and a draught of 25 feet. Power is from a COmbined Diesel-and-Gas (CODAG) arrangement which sees 2 x BAZAN BRAVO 12V diesel cruising engines paired to 1 x General Electric LM2500 marine gas turbines for dash actions. This arrangement is used to drive 2 x Shafts under stern. A bow thruster is available for fine-tuned maneuvering and 4 x Diesel generators provide additional power to the ship.
In ideal conditions, the vessel can reach 27 knots and range out to 4,500 nautical miles.
Aboard is a crew complement of up to 146 personnel (120 is typical). An air arm with accompanying mechanics and systems engineers support a single helicopter fleet made up of the NH90 medium-lift navy helicopter. Full-service hangar facilities are also provided for at-sea repair and maintenance.
Armament and Supporting Systems
Armament is a mix of projectile-based and missile-based weaponry, consistent with modern warships of this type to help handle most any at-sea, Blue Water roles. This includes an 8-cell Mk.41 Vertical Launch System (VLS) firing from a stock of 32 x RIM-162 ESSM medium-ranged, Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAMs). beyond this are 8 x Naval Strike Missile (NSM) anti-ship/land-attack cruise missile launchers and 4 x Torpedo launchers ("Sting Ray" family supported). Projectile-based weapons are led by the single 76mm OTO-Melara "Super-Rapid" turreted deck gun over the forecastle and up to 4 x 12.7mm Browning-type heavy machine guns for extreme close-in work. Other installations of note are the 2 x Long-Range Acoustic Devices (LRADs) and 4 x Protector Remote-Weapon Stations (RWSs).
A 40mm Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) is supported but not installed presently. The 76mm deck gun can also be upgraded to a 127mm type as needed and up to three more 8-cell VLS bays can be carried to help increase ranged firepower.
Onboard systems include the Lockheed Martin AN/SPY-1F 3D multi-function radar suite, the Reutech RSR 210N air/sea surveillance radar fit, and the Sagem "Vigy" 20 Electro-Optical (EO) director system. The MRS 2000 is the hull-mounted sonar fit and a Captas Mk.II V1 system serves as the passive/active towed sonar array for submarine-hunting sorties. The Electronic Warfare (EW) suite includes the Terma DL-12T decoy launcher and "Loki" torpedo countermeasures system.
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Offshore Bombardment
Offshore bombardment / attack of surface targets / areas primarily through onboard ballistic weaponry.
Land-Attack
Offshore strike of surface targets primarily through onboard missile / rocket weaponry.
Maritime Patrol
Active patroling of vital waterways and maritime areas; can also serve as local deterrence against airborne and seaborne threats.
Airspace Denial / Deterrence
Neutralization or deterrence of airborne elements through onboard ballistic of missile weaponry.
Fleet Support
Serving in support (either firepower or material) of the main surface fleet in Blue Water environments.
440.0 feet (134.11 meters) Length
55.1 feet (16.79 meters) Beam
25.0 feet (7.62 meters) Draught
5,300 tons Displacement
CODAG (Combined Diesel and Gas): 2 x BAZAN BRAVO diesel engines with 1 x General Electric GE LM2500 gas turbine driving 2 x shafts; 1 x Electrically-Powered Bow Thruster. Propulsion
1 x 76mm OTO Melara Super Rapid autocannon
1 x 8-cell Mk 41 VLS (Vertical Launch Cell) surface-to-surface missile launcher (32 x RIM-162).
6 x 324mm torpedo launchers (2 x double launchers).
4 x 12.7mm M2HB Browning heavy machine guns
OPTIONAL:
1 x 76mm OTO Melara Super Rapid autocannon (in addition to original 76mm deck gun fitting).
1 x 127mm/54 Otobreda gun (in place of original 76mm deck gun fitting).
1 x 40mm CIWS (Close-In Weapon System)
1 x NHIndustries NH90 navy helicopter
Images
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Image from the United States Department of Defense DVIDS imagery network.
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Image from the United States Department of Defense DVIDS imagery network.
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