The Ivar Huitfeldt Class frigates are being built by Odense Steel Shipyard for the Royal Danish Navy. Three frigates are scheduled to enter service between 2012 and 2013. The class is preceded by Niels Juel corvette. It is the navy’s largest acquisition project to date.

The keel for the first ship in the class, Iver Huitfeldt (F 361), was laid in June 2008 and launched in March 2010. The frigate was transferred to the Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation (FMT) in January 2011 for testing. It is expected to enter operational service in 2012. The second frigate, Peter Willemoes (F362), was laid in March 2009 and launched in December 2010. The third and final ship, Niels Juel (F363), was laid in December 2009.

Peter Willemoes (F362)

Ivar Huitfeldt design

Image: defencyclopedia.com

The seven-deck monohull design features 15 watertight sections. It has been designed to reduce radar signature, infrared radiation, underwater noise and magnetic signature to make the ship as invisible as possible to an enemy.

The Iver Huitfeldt Class design is an evolution of the Absalon Class developed by the navy and Odense Steel Shipyard (OSS).

The exterior is easily distinguished from Absalon Class as the Iver Huitfeldt is one deck lower, and lacks an internal multipurpose deck (flex deck). The chimney’s design has been changed to prevent excessive steam impact of SMART-L radar.

The design protects the crew from contamination. The frigate is divided into six hazard zones. All the zones are equipped with separate filters to protect the crew against chemical, radioactive or biological weapon attacks and airlocks are provided between them.

Frigate construction

The frigates are being constructed simultaneously in the same dock in a phased manner.

The first phase includes assembly of all welded steel blocks into a ship platform, while civil equipment is installed by the shipyard and its subcontractors in the second phase.

Following delivery from the shipyard, the frigates will sail to Naval Station Korsor where military installation work will take place in the final phase.

List of ships

Name	Number	Laid Down	Launched	Commissioned	Status
Iver Huitfeldt (da)	F361	June 2008	March 2010	January 2011	In Service
Peter Willemoes (da)	F362	March 2009	December 2010	June 2011	In Service
Niels Juel (da)	F363	December 2009	December 2010	November 2011	In Service

Source wikiwand.com

Command and control

Bridge

The frigates will be equipped with the Terma C-flex command and control system. The C-flex system integrates Commercial, off-the-shelf (COTS) units including a server, a console computer, an interface computer, a LAN switch and an UPS unit in an environmentally protected 19” rack. It is based on the T-Core open architecture platform.

The C-flex receives information from ship board sensors and distributes the data to weapon systems after evaluation. The computer creates an electronic image of the real-time situation around the frigate.

The frigate can exchange information with other units based at sea, air or land. The communications are conveyed through data links and other computer networks.

Forsvaret

Terma to Support Royal Danish Navy Iver Huitfeldt Class Frigate BMD & IAMD Upgrade

The Danish Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organization (DALO) has entered into an agreement and signed a contract with Terma on Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD). The aim is to provide DALO with study and advisory support within the Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) and IAMD domains related to the Danish government’s decision to upgrade at least one of the IVER HUITFELDT class frigates to a BMD sensor role and offer this capability to the NATO BMD system. 13 April 2016 – navyrecognition

Royal Danish Navy sets SM-2 buy as priority, mulls frigate BMD upgrade: Here

Weapon Systems

The frigate will be fitted with Lockheed Martin mk41 multimissile vertical launch system (VLS) for the evolved Sea Sparrow missile (ESSM) and SM-2 IIIA missile.

Lockheed Martin mk41 multimissile vertical launch system

Lockheed Martin mk41 multimissile vertical launch system (VLS) for the evolved Sea Sparrow missile (ESSM) and SM-2 IIIA missile

Evolved Sea Sparrow missile (ESSM)

Sea Sparrow missile (ESSM) The Sea Sparrow SAM is equipped with an improved semi-active radar homing guidance system in an 8in diameter forebody guidance section. The guidance system uses inertial / command mid-course continuous wave radar or interrupted continuous wave radar illumination-data. Both X-band and S-band data links are used to transmit the information to the combat systems. The Sea Sparraw SAM provides increased performance against smaller targets. The propulsion system provides the missile with a speed of over Mach 4 and a range of more than 50km. Source naval-technology.com

General Characteristics:
Primary Function: Surface-To-Air and Surface-To-Surface radar-guided missile.
Contractor: Raytheon Missile Systems, Tuscson, Ariz.
Date Deployed: 2004
Unit Cost: $787000 – $972000 depending on configuration
Propulsion: NAMMO-Raufoss, Alliant (solid fuel rocket)
Length: 12 feet (3,64 meters)
Diameter: 8 inches (20,3 cm) – 10 inches (25,4 cm)
Weight: 622 pounds (280 kilograms)
Speed: Mach 4+
Range: more than 27 nmi (more than 50 km)
Guidance System: Raytheon semi-active on continuous wave or interrupted continuous wave illumination
Warhead: Annular blast fragmentation warhead, 90 pounds (40,5 kg)

RIM-162 ESSM data Source seaforces.org

SM-2 IIIA missile

SM-2 IIIA missile The Block III missiles differ from earlier blocks by the addition of the MK 45 MOD 9 target detecting device, for improved performance against low altitude targets. The Block IIIB missile additionally has a dual semi-active/infrared seeker for terminal homing. The dual seeker is intended for use in high-ECM environments, against targets over the horizon or with a small radar cross section. 40 to 90 nmi (74 to 167 km) > 24,400 m (80,100 ft) Mach 3.5

The mk41 system can fire anti-air, anti-submarine and anti-ship missiles. Ivar Huitfeldt will also be armed with the Boeing Harpoon block II anti-ship missile system and the Eurotorp MU90 lightweight torpedo fired from a twin or triple torpedo launcher.

Boeing Harpoon block II anti-ship missile

The Harpoon is an all weather, subsonic, over the horizon, anti-ship missile which can be launch from surface ships, submarines and aircraft. The Harpoon Block II is the latest version of the Harpoon missile and is able to strike land-based targets and ships in littoral environments. The Block II incorporated the GPS/INS guidance system of the JDAM bombs and the mission computer, software, and GPS antenna employed by the SLAM ER missile.

Dimensions
Diameter: 340 millimeter
Length: 4.63 meter (15.2 foot)
Wingspan: 910 millimeter
Performance
Max Range: 124 kilometer (67 nautical mile)
Speed
Top Speed: 237 mps (853 kph)
Weight
Thrust: 660 pound
Warhead: 224 kilogram (494 pound)
Weight: 691 kilogram (1,523 pound)

Source deagel.com

Eurotorp MU90 lightweight torpedo

The MU90/IMPACT Advanced Lightweight Torpedo is the leader of the 3rd generation of LWTs. Designed and built with the most advanced technology, the weapon is of fire-and-forget type conceived to cope with any-task any-environment capability requirements and meet the ASW operational needs of the 21st century.

The weapon has been designed to counter any type of nuclear or conventional submarine, acoustically coated, deep and fast-evasive, deploying active or passive anti-torpedo effectors

Characteristics

Main Dynamic Features
Linearly Variable speed	……………………	29 to >> 50 kts**
Range	……………………	>10,000 m at max. speed > 23,000m at min. speed
Minimum depth for launching	……………………	< 25 m
Max. operating depth	……………………	>> 1000 m**
Agility and manoeuvrability	…………………….	Extreme
Diameter (NATO Standard)	……………………	323,7 mm
Length	……………………	2850 mm
Weight	……………………	304 kg

Main Acoustic Features
Operational bandwidth	……………………	>>10KHz
Acoustic coverage	……………………	120°H x 70°V
Simultaneous targets	……………………	Up to 10

Main Counter-Counter Measures
Stationary target detection capability
Decoy classification
Anti-Jammer tactics

(**) = real value classified

Source eurotorp.com

The frigate’s main gun will be an Oto Melara 76mm Super Rapid gun. The Oerlikon Millennium 35mm naval gun system will onboard provide close-in air defence. It is based on the new Oerlikon 35mm revolver cannon land-based air defence system. A 12.7mm machine gun will also be available aboard the ship.

Oto Melara 76mm Super Rapid gun

Oto Melara 76mm Super Rapid gunThe revolving ready-ammunition magazine for one of the 76mm gun mounts.

The Oto-Melara / Oto-Breda 76/62SR 76mm (3-inches) 62-caliber Super Rapid gun is a lightweight, automatic loading, rapid fire naval gun system used against shore, sea and air targets.

Manufacturer: 1963-2001 Oto-Melara / 2001- OtoBreda
Produced: Compact: 1963- / Super Rapid: 1988-

Technical data:
Caliber: 3 inches / 76,2 mm
Barrel lenght: 186 inches / 4,72 meters (= 62 caliber)
Weight: 7900kg, empty (Super Rapid)
Shell: 76 x 900 mm / 12,34 kilograms
Elevation: – 15° to + 85°
Traverse: 360°
Rate of fire: Compact: 85 rpm / Super Rapid: selectable from single shot up to 120 rpm
Muzzle Velocity: 925 m/s (1100 m/s – DART)
Magazine: Compact: 80 rounds / SR: 85 rounds

Range:
16 kilometers with standard ammunition
20 km with extended range ammunition
up to 40 km with VULCANO ammunition

Evolution:
– Compact
– Super Rapid
– Stealth casing
– DAVIDE/STRALES radio frequency guidance system for DART guided ammunition

Ammunition:
– HE (high explosive) – 6,296kg / Range 16km / effective range 8km (4km vs. air targets at elev. 85°)
– MOM (multi-role OTO munition)
– PFF (pre-formed fragmentation) – anti-missile ammunition
– SAPOM (semi-armored piercing OTO munition) – 6,35kg / Range 16km
– SAPOMER (semi-armored piercing OTO munition, extended range) – Range 20km
– DART (driven ammunition reduced time of flight) – sub-calibre guided ammunition against multiple targets
(missiles and maneuvering targets at sea) 4,2kg in barrel / 3,5kg in flight / 660mm lenght / effective range >8km
– VULCANO (76mm unguided and guided extended range ammunition) – under development

Source seaforces.org

Oerlikon Millennium 35mm naval gun system

Oerlikon Millennium 35mm naval gun system will onboard provide close-in air defence based on the new Oerlikon 35mm revolver cannon land-based air defence system

Designation	Gun: Oerlikon 35 mm/1000 KDG Mounting: Millennium GDM-008
Ship Class Used On	Royal Danish Navy: Absalom class Combat Support Ships and Iver Huitfeldt class frigates Taiwan: Support Ship Panshih Venezuela: Guaiqueri and Guaicamacuto classes offshore patrol vessels
Date Of Design	about 1995
Date In Service	2003
Gun Weight	992 lbs. (450 kg)
Gun Length oa	161.8 in (4.110 m)
Bore Length	108.9 in (2.766 m)
Rifling Length	N/A
Grooves	24
Lands	N/A
Twist	RH Progressive
Chamber Volume	N/A
Rate Of Fire	1,000 rounds per minute cyclic
Note: Weapon may be set to fire single shots, 200 rounds per minute or 1,000 rounds per minute.

Source navweaps.com

12.7mm machine gun

A 12.7mm machine gun

Sensors and radars

Forsvaret

The sensor suite includes the SMART-L long-range surveillance radar, the APAR multifunction radar, Furuno navigation radar and ATLAS ASO 94 hull-mounted sonar. The SMART-L operating on L band will provide very long-range surveillance.

Smart-L three dimensional radar

SMART-L long-range surveillance radar

Smart-L three dimensional radar This is a volume-search early warning long-range air search radar, which has been designed by Thales. It is a derivative of the smaller SMART-S, using an LW-09 solid-state transmitter. It uses an 8.2m electronically stabilized antenna scanning at 12 rpm to an elevation of 70 degrees. SMART-L provides range, bearing, elevation, and target velocity on each scan. Low observable targets can be detected at 55km and a conventional target beyond 100km. Maximum instrumented range is 400km. The ADT track file can carry up to 1000 air, 40 surface and 32 jammer tracks simultaneously. SMART-L is integrated with the Scout radar for surface surveillance.

GENERAL DATA:
Type: Radar	Altitude Max: 30480 m
Range Max: 481.5 km	Altitude Min: 0 m
Range Min: 0.2 km	Generation: Late 2000s

Properties: Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) [Side Info], Pulse Doppler Radar (Full LDSD Capability)

SENSORS / EW:
SMART-L ELR – (2006, VSR) Radar Role: Radar, Air & Surface Search, 3D Long-Range Max Range: 481.5 km

Source cmano-db.com

APAR (active phased array radar)

APAR multifunction radar

APAR (active phased array radar) The APAR (Active Phased Array Radar) by Thales contains four active phased array antennas with 3200 modules each, which together provide a 360 degrees azimuth coverage. Some other features of the system are multi-function capability, digital Doppler processing, digital pulse compression techniques, graceful degradation and flexible waveform generation. APAR operates in I/J-band, which makes the radar an excellent sensor for the detection of sea-skimming missiles. The APAR system has one main waveform generator, plus two additional waveform generators to provide missile guidance links and target illumination in the terminal phase of engagement. Each array can generate up to four beams for 16 simultaneous engagements and 30 SM-2 and ESSM missiles in the air. Instrumented range is 150km in air search and 75km horizon search with elevation coverage up to 70 degrees and a capacity to handle 250 tracks.

GENERAL DATA:
Type: Radar	Altitude Max: 30480 m
Range Max: 166.7 km	Altitude Min: 0 m
Range Min: 0.2 km	Generation: Early 2000s

Properties: Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) [Side Info], Continous Tracking Capability [Phased Array Radar], Track While Scan (TWS), Pulse Doppler Radar (Full LDSD Capability), Interrupted Continuous Wave Illumination

SENSORS / EW:
APAR MFR – Radar Role: Radar, FCR, Surface-to-Air & Surface-to-Surface, Medium-Range Max Range: 166.7 km

Source cmano-db.com

Other subsystems include ATLAS ASO 94 hull-mounted sonar, FLIR system Seastar Seafire III, Saab CEROS 200 fire control radars, and EDO 3701 electronic warning and assessment system.

ATLAS ASO 94 hull-mounted sonar

General data:
Type: Hull Sonar, Active/Passive	Altitude Max: 0 m
Range Max: 44.4 km	Altitude Min: 0 m
Range Min: 0 km	Generation: Late 2000s

Sensors / EW:
ASO 94-01 [CSU 90] – Hull Sonar, Active/Passive Role: Hull Sonar, Active/Passive Search & Track Max Range: 44.4 km

Source cmano-db.com

FLIR system Seastar Seafire III

Saab CEROS 200 fire control radars

The CEROS 200 features world-class acquisition speed and tracking precision. It has the ability to track any target, including supersonic missiles and surface targets, in any weather conditions. It provides these capabilities over long distances as well as extremely close to the ship. The system features options for tracking multiple targets, including the facility for the operator to seamlessly switch designation of the primary target. It is available in a CWI configuration with
the 9LV ESSM Missile Control Module. It provides an X-band channel for CWI illumination of a target, for guidance of the semi-active surface-to-air missile. The system has a top weight of 630-750 kg, much lighter than comparable systems. This makes it easy to integrate with all
platform types. The CEROS 200 provides reliable performance even in cluttered environments and is highly resistant to the latest jamming technology. The system can also be combined with the 9LV Gun Fire Control and SAM modules, providing precision control for any naval gun or a semi-active SAM missile system.

KEY STRENGTHS:
• Extremely high accuracy
• Fast reaction
• Extremely high availability
• Patented CHASE algorithm
• Proven performance
• Unique capabilities
• Long range
• Extremely wide bandwidth (2 GHz)
• Low weight
• Low lifecycle cost
• Inherent growth potential

General data:
Type: Radar	Altitude Max: 30480 m
Range Max: 74.1 km	Altitude Min: 0 m
Range Min: 0.2 km	Generation: Early 2000s

Properties: Moving Target Indicator (MTI), Pulse Doppler Radar (Full LDSD Capability), Continuous Wave Illumination

Sensors / EW:
CEROS 200 Tracker [9LV Mk4 ESSM] – Radar Role: Radar, FCR, Surface-to-Air & Surface-to-Surface, Short-Range Max Range: 74.1 km

Source cmano-db.com

EDO 3701 electronic warning and assessment system

EDO 3701 electronic warning and assessment system. (defense-studies.blogspot.com)

Aircraft

The Iver Huitfeldt frigate will feature a helicopter deck and hangar to support the operations of medium-sized helicopters such as the AW101. The deck can also handle larger and heavier helicopters of up to 20t.

Countermeasures

The frigate will be fitted with 12-barrelled Terma DL-12T 130mm decoy launchers. Terma SKWS (soft kill weapon system) is a modern decoy-launching system that can fire SeaGnat decoys. The Terma launcher provides 360° coverage against incoming anti-ship missiles.

12-barrelled Terma DL-12T 130mm decoy launchers SeaGnat decoys

Accommodation

The Ivar Huitfeldt Class will have a crew 101 divided into four divisions:

surgical division of 32 (eight officers, three sergeants and 21 privates)
weapons division of 17 (two officers, three sergeants and 12 privates)
engineering division of 32 (six officers, three sergeants and 23 privates)
management division of 20 (two officers, four sergeants and 14 privates).

Engineering Control center

Each frigate will have berths for 165 people, hence small staff, helicopter crew, doctors, students and trainees are accommodated.

Propulsion

The frigate will be powered by four main MTU 20V 8000 M70 diesel engines, placed two and two each, in a combined diesel and diesel configuration. The propulsion system will provide a speed of over 28kt.

MTU 20V 8000 M70 diesel engine

The ship will be equipped with two Becker rudders and a bow thruster with an output of 900kW. A set of active stabilisers will provide stability to the frigate. Four generating sets comprising two Caterpillar engines and Leroy-Somer generators will be provided. Each pair will include a CAT3512 and CAT3508 generating 1,360kW and 920kW respectively.