| Ensdorf-class minesweeper | |
|---|---|
 M1098 Siegburg, at the Kiel Week 2007 | |
| Class overview | |
| Builders: |
Lürssen Abeking & Rasmussen |
| Operators: |
 German Navy |
| Preceded by: | Hameln class minesweeper |
| Built: | 1999-2001 |
| Completed: | 5 |
| Active: |
Ensdorf Auerbach/Oberpfalz Hameln Pegnitz Siegburg |
| Laid up: | 5 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Minesweeper |
| Displacement: | 650 tonnes |
| Length: | 54.40 m |
| Beam: | 9.20 m |
| Draft: | 2.84 m |
| Propulsion: |
|
| Speed: | 18 knots |
| Complement: | 45 |
| Sensors and processing systems: | |
| Armament: |
|
The five minesweepers of the German Navy's Type 352 Ensdorf class are former Type 343 Hameln class minesweepers that have been upgraded with the TROIKA PLUS system.
The Ensdorf class have three modes to clear mine fields:
- TROIKA PLUS: This system employs up to four remote controlled Seehund ("Seal") drones which perform the sweep. The drones are small unmanned boats that can simulate the acoustic and magnetic signatures of bigger ships to trigger mines. Their small size and special construction let them survive the effects of exploding mines unharmed.
- Mine hunting: Mines detected with the hull-mounted sonar can be identified and exploded with expendable Seefuchs (SeaFox) ROVs.
- Classical minesweeping: Against moored mines the classical minesweeping using towed wire cutters to cut the anchors of mines can be conducted.
The Ensdorf class replaced the Type 351 Lindau class minesweepers in service with the German Navy.
Seehund ROV[]
Three Seehund ROVs
- Length: 25 m
- Displacement: 99 t
- Propulsion: Schottel Z-drive
- Max speed: 9-10 kn
Seehund can be controlled remotely or manually by an onboard crew (usually 3) for maneuvering in harbours or in training (the Seehund is too large to be carried by Ensdorf class vessels). A life raft is carried for this reason.
Ship list[]
| Pennant number |
Name | Call sign |
commissioned |
|---|---|---|---|
| M1094 | Ensdorf | DRFN | October 16, 1990 |
| M1093 | Auerbach/Oberpfalz | DRFR | May 7, 1991 |
| M1092 | Hameln | DRFO | June 29, 1989 |
| M1090 | Pegnitz | DRFT | March 8, 1990 |
| M1098 | Siegburg | DRFL | July 26, 1990 |
Notes: The ships were not decommissioned for their rebuilding to Type 352, so the listed dates are the ones of their commission as Type 343. Auerbach/Oberpfalz is one single name.
The ships currently belong to the 5. Minensuchgeschwader (5th Mine Sweeping Squadron) based in Kiel at the Baltic Sea.
ROVs[]
| Number | Commissioned | Mothership |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | May 5, 1981 | M1092 Hameln |
| 2 | May 5, 1981 | M1092 Hameln |
| 3 | May 5, 1981 | M1092 Hameln |
| 4 | March 4, 1982 | M1093 Auerbach/Oberpfalz |
| 5 | March 4, 1982 | M1093 Auerbach/Oberpfalz |
| 6 | March 4, 1982 | M1093 Auerbach/Oberpfalz |
| 7 | September 17, 1981 | M1098 Siegburg |
| 8 | September 17, 1981 | M1098 Siegburg |
| 9 | September 17, 1981 | M1098 Siegburg |
| 10 | November 11, 1981 | M1098 Siegburg |
| 11 | November 11, 1981 | M1092 Hameln |
| 12 | November 11, 1981 | M1090 Pegnitz |
| 13 | May 24, 1982 | M1090 Pegnitz |
| 14 | May 24, 1982 | M1090 Pegnitz |
| 15 | May 24, 1982 | M1090 Pegnitz |
| 16 | November 7, 1983 | M1094 Ensdorf |
| 17 | November 7, 1983 | M1094 Ensdorf |
| 18 | November 7, 1983 | M1094 Ensdorf |
The Seehunde were taken over from the six decommissioned Type 351 class, which means that they are older than their motherships.
References[]
- "Hohlstablenkboot ENSDORF-Klasse". Deutsche Marine. http://www.marine.de/portal/a/marine/kcxml/04_Sj9SPykssy0xPLMnMz0vM0Y_QjzKLNzKOD_QLAcmB2d5mQDZcNCglVd_XIz83Vd9bP0C_IDei3NFRUREAHJOnUA!!/delta/base64xml/L2dJQSEvUUt3QS80SVVFLzZfMjNfUjFE?yw_contentURL=%2F01DB070000000001%2FW2699HTP283INFODE%2Fcontent.jsp. Retrieved 4 August 2008.
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The original article can be found at Ensdorf-class minesweeper and the edit history here.