Rotterdam class
| Rotterdam class | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Zr. Ms. Rotterdam |
|
| Overview | |
| Type | Amphibious Transport Dock |
| units | 2 |
| period of service |
since 1998 |
| Technical specifications | |
| displacement |
|
| length |
|
| width |
|
| Draft |
5.90 m |
| crew |
about 150 |
| drive |
Diesel-electric
|
| speed |
> 18 kn |
| Range |
> 6000 nm at 12 kn |
| Armament | |
| capacities | |
The Rotterdam-class is a class of amphibious transport docks of the Royal Netherlands Navy . The two ships, Zr. Ms. Rotterdam and Zr. Ms. Johan de Witt , according to Zr. Ms. Karel Doorman the largest ships in the Dutch Navy and form the backbone of the amphibious forces of the Corps Mariniers . The Johan de Witt also has advanced management electronics and staff rooms and can be used as an association flagship.
Planning and construction
The Corps Mariniers' plans for amphibious ships go back to the 1950s. In the early 1980s, the leadership of the Dutch Navy recognized the need for a warship for amphibious warfare. The first drafts began in 1984, and in 1988 a planning team was set up to determine the exact specifications. Two years later, in 1990, the Spanish government also showed interest in two such ships for the Spanish Navy . In June 1992 a memorandum was signed that stipulated the cooperation in the planning and construction of the ships. The elaboration of the exact specifications began in January 1993; these were established at the end of 1993. The Spanish ships were built as the Galicia class at the Bazan shipyard. On June 30, 1993, the Dutch parliament approved the start of contract negotiations with the Royal Schelde shipyard in Vlissingen for the construction of a ship. The terms of the contract were set on April 1, 1994, and the construction contract was signed on April 25. The keel laying of Mr. Ms. Rotterdam took place on January 25, 1996, in February 1997 she was launched and put into service with the Dutch Navy on April 18, 1998. In 1999 the Dutch government announced that in 2002 a second, modified ship of the class should be ordered. As a flagship , the Johan de Witt should also have staff rooms for managing a Combined Joint Task Force . She was laid down at Royal-Schelde on June 18, 2003, launched on May 13, 2006, and put into service on November 30, 2007.
units
Both were built at Royal Schelde in Vlissingen.
| Identifier | Surname | Keel laying | Launch | Commissioning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| L800 | Zr. Ms. Rotterdam | January 25, 1996 | February 22, 1997 | April 18, 1998 |
| L801 | Zr. Ms. Johan de Witt | June 18, 2003 | May 13, 2006 | November 30, 2007 |
technology
Hull and drive
The modular hull of the Rotterdam is 166.20 meters long, the sister ship Johan de Witt with 176.35 meters a good ten meters longer. The width of the Rotterdam is 27 meters, that of her sister ship 29.20 meters. The average draft of both ships is 5.90 meters, the displacement is 12,750 tons for the Rotterdam and 16,500 tons for the Johan de Witt . Both ships are powered by diesel-electric propulsion. Four Stork-Wärtsila diesel engines with a total of 19,800 PS (12 MW) are coupled to generators that generate the electricity for the four Holec electric motors , which drive the two shafts with 16,320 PS each with a controllable pitch propeller. The maximum speed is 18 to 20 knots , the range is over 6,000 nautical miles at 12 knots cruising speed.
capacities
The ships have a 56 × 25 meter helicopter landing deck on which two helicopters can take off and land at the same time. The hangar offers space for four large EH 101 helicopters or six medium-sized helicopters such as the SeaKing or the NH90 . The deck of the Johan de Witt has been reinforced so that it can also carry CH-47 helicopters . The hangar also has extensive facilities for maintaining and repairing the embarked helicopters.
The rear of the lower decks is occupied by a corrugated deck that can be flooded to a depth of 2.2 meters. The deck offers space for six LCVPs or four larger LCUs that can transport two armored personnel carriers or three trucks. Additional vehicles can also be embarked on 902 square meters of internal lane. A total of up to 30 battle tanks or 90 transport tanks can be embarked on board . The ships have accommodations for a battalion of the Mariniers Corps (611 soldiers). The Johan de Witt can also accommodate 400 staff members. A fully equipped hospital with 10 intensive care units, X-ray facilities and operating theaters can treat up to 100 wounded at the same time.
Armament and Electronics
The ships only have defensive armament. Two goalkeepers - CIWS defend the ships against approaching guided missiles, they are supported by four SRBOC launchers. Machine guns and cannons can be mounted on board to defend against speedboats and smaller surface targets. An AN / SLQ-25 Nixie is said to divert torpedoes.
For aerial reconnaissance, the Rotterdam has a DA08 3D radar from Thales Nederlands , the Johan de Witt has a VARIANT 2-D mk2 radar. A Kelvin Hughes ARPA for surface surveillance , an infrared search system and two navigation radars complete the reconnaissance equipment.
The command and control system of the ships is based on the US Joint Maritime Command Information System and has Link 11 and Link 16 data connections, satellite communication and 14 consoles that also monitor the ship's command . The system makes it possible to lead a complete amphibious formation including all air and sea vehicles from the ship.
Web links
- Rotterdam class at naval-technology.com (English)
- Description at marine.nl (Dutch)
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b c d amiinter.com ( Memento from November 30, 2013 in the Internet Archive ), as of June 20, 2008
- ↑ Background - Sealifter Comparisons - Rotterdam Class LPD ( Memento from January 2, 2014 in the Internet Archive )