Lütjens-class destroyer

Class overview
Name:
Builders: Bath Iron Works
Operators:  German Navy
Succeeded by: Sachsen-class frigate
Completed: 3
Retired: 3
Preserved: 1
General characteristics
Class and type: Missile Destroyer
Displacement: 4720 t
Length: 133.2 m
Beam: 14.3 m
Draft: 6.1 m
Propulsion:
  • 2 × steam turbines providing 70,000 shp (52 MW); 2 shafts
  • 4 × 1,275 psi (8,790 kPa) boilers
Speed: 33 knots (61 km/h)
Range: 4,500 nautical miles (8,300 km) at 20 knots (37 km/h)
Complement: 337
Sensors and
processing systems:
  • AN/SPS-40 2D air surveillance and early-warning radar, long-range
  • AN/SPS-67 sea surveillance radar, med-range
  • AN/SPS-52 3D air surveillance radar, long-range
  • 2 × AN/SPG-51C Mk 74 fire-control radar
  • AN/SPQ-9 short range fire-control radar for surface and low flying targets
  • SPG-60 tracking and fire control radar (also radar illumination for the missiles)
  • Raytheon RP 1225 navigation radar
  • Atlas Elektronik DSQS-21B active/passive sonar
  • EADS FL1800 ESM suite
Electronic warfare
& decoys:
  • 2 × SRBOC 6 cell chaff and flare launcher
  • 1 × SLQ-25 Nixie torpedo decoy
  • 1 × EADS FL1800 ESM/ECM suite
Armament:
  • 2 × 127 mm/54 Mk 42 mod 10 guns
  • 2 × Rheinmetall Rh202 20 mm autocannons
  • 1 × Modified Mark 13 launcher
    • SM-1MR surface-to-air missile (usually 32)
    • Harpoon anti-ship missile (usually 8)
  • 2 × Mk 49 launcher, 21 RAM surface-to-air missiles each
  • 6 × 324 mm torpedo tubes, DM4A1 and Mark 46 torpedoes
  • 1 × ASROC launcher, 8 cell

The Type 103 Lütjens class was the last class of destroyers in service with the German Navy. They were replaced by the new Sachsen-class frigates, designated frigate even though they are much larger and more capable in all aspects than the Lütjens-class destroyers. Basically the ships were Charles F. Adams-class guided missile destroyers but with some modifications to meet German requirements:

The Lütjens class was upgraded to Type 103A in the 1970s with new digital fire-control computers and better missiles for the old Tartar SM1 missile system. The boilers were also converted to burn lighter oil for logistical reasons instead of the heavy fuel oil that needs to be preheated.

A second major refit began in the 1980s, with new fire control computers and radar for the guns.

In the 1990s, the ships in the class each received two RAM launchers and Chaff launchers.

With the decommissioning of Lütjens (D185) on December 18, 2003 the age of steam ended for the German Navy. Mölders (D186) became a Museum Ship at the German Navy Museum in Wilhelmshaven.

Note: Speeds over 30 kn could only sustained for a limited time due to the enormous fuel consumption. With two active boilers the ship could achieve speeds up to 27 kn. Three boilers made 30 kn achievable. For any speed beyond 30 kn all four boilers were needed.

List of ships

Pennant
number		 Name Call
sign		 Commissioned Decom-
missioned		 Fate
D185Lütjens DRAE March 22, 1969 December 18, 2003 2012 scrapped in Aliaga, Turkey
D186Mölders DRAF September 20, 1969 May 28, 2003 Museum ship in Wilhelmshaven
D187Rommel DRAG May 20, 1970 September 30, 1998 cannibalized, 2004 scrapped in Turkey

All three ships were built by Bath Iron Works in the United States. They were named after famous German officers who died in World War II. In service, they formed the 1. Zerstörergeschwader (first destroyer squadron) and were based in Kiel.

References

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