Frigates of the F124 project are the largest warships of the German Navy. Introduced into the German fleet in 2004-2006, the "Saxony", "Hamburg"and" Hesse " ("Sachsen", "Hamburg" und "Hesssen") are distinguished by their modular design and efficient equipment.However, more than ten years of operation required appropriate measures to combat obsolescence. The frigate's relatively modern armament is being upgraded and adapted to new realities.
Launch of an ESSM anti-aircraft missile
F 124 – design and [b]armament of the frigate
Project 124 (F124) has a length of 143 m, a width of 17.4 m and a displacement of 5600 tons.
The CODAG drive system consists of two diesel engines and a gas turbine manufactured byMTU Friedrichshafen GmbH. The power of each unit is 7,400 kW (1,061 HP), and the gas turbine is 23,500 kW (3,195,6 HP). The drive provides the ship with a maximum speed of up to 29 knots.
According to experts, the frigate's armament is mainly designed for monitoring the airspace, organizing air defense and managing the naval connection at sea.
Frigate F 124 infographic
The ship's main armament includes RAM, Harpoon, SM2-IIIA, ESSM guided missile systems, as well as a 76 mm gun manufactured by OTO Melara (Italy). The frigate is equipped with a multi-functional radar with AFAR of joint German-Dutch development and a long-range radar SMART-L. With these high-performance radar systems, project 124 frigates are suitable for effective air defense.
Harpoon missile launchers"
The two helicopters on Board, as well as a sonar (gas) and a set of anti-submarine torpedoes, make the F124 an effective anti-submarine warfare weapon. Numerous electronic communications and modern information systems ensure the use of the ship in international naval formations and in joint interspecies operations as a sea-based control platform.
Helicopter deck of the frigate "Hamburg" F220
According to German sources, project 124 frigates worldwide are among the most modern and efficient ships of their class. Confirmation of their special qualities is considered to be participation in international operations in combat conditions. The ships were repeatedly integrated into the US Navy Aug.
Meanwhile, despite their consistent digitization, the frigate's equipment and armament is aging. In order to preserve the operational value and readiness of this type of ship for future scenarios, the Bundeswehr command considers large-scale modernization measures necessary.
Joint actions with the US Navy
F124 Upgrade
The build-up of combat capabilities is carried out by installing a towed gas station (Towed Array Sonar) and the anti-submarine missile system "Asroc" (asroc) with a vertical PU. In addition, it is planned to integrate the F124 into the ballistic Missile DEFENSE system (BMD).
Vertical PU
During the construction of project 124 frigates, the main novelty for the German Navy was the modular combat Direction system (CDS). It includes, among other things, 17 multifunctional consoles, each of which has its own computing power (computer). In addition, the CDS includes two large tactical screens and 11 bus Interface units (BIU).
Data transmission in the combat control system is carried out through a fiber-optic cable laid on the ship. This solution allows, on the one hand, to significantly increase the possibility of redundancy, and on the other - to provide the frigate's command with a real-time picture of the situation.
Combat control post
Command and control system
During the CDS upgrade, it was planned to replace more permanent elements of IT equipment and update the software. In December 2012, Atlas electronics (Germany) and Thales (France) received the corresponding order. The consortium, managed by ATLAS ELECTRONICS, completed the design work in July 2018.
In particular, in the context of implementing the hardware regeneration of CDS F124, the following works were performed:
- upgrading multi-function consoles;
- installation of modern computing equipment based on Linux OS;
- expanding the functionality of network technologies with Ethernet components;
- replacing the data recording modules (DRM) with the DRM server;
- replacing large screen displays;
- combat adaptation of software to new hardware;
- create maintenance capabilities for non-regenerated but real-time critical parts of the CDS.
Along with the three frigates in the German Navy, the modernization measures affected the operational and combat training center and programming center in Wilhelmshaven (Germany), as well as the support and training site (Reference Maintainer and Training Site, RMTS) in Den Helder (the Netherlands).
After the equipment was regenerated, the ship's computer systems received sufficient power to integrate new subsystems and future CDS functions. In the future, contracts for technical and logistics maintenance and replacement of elements of the frigate's combat control system were signed with contractors ATLAS ELECTRONICS and Thales.
Air defense and missile DEFENSE systems
The project of measures for further modernization of project 124 frigates was called "Elimination of obsolescence of long-range radar detection and expansion of f124 air defense capabilities" (Obsoleszenzbeseitigung Weitbereichsradar und Fähigkeitserweiterung in der Luftverteidigung F124). The most important goal of the project is to preserve the possibility of using frigates in the interests of air and missile defense by preventing the obsolescence of the SMART-L long-range radar.
Long-range air defense radar
During the project, it is planned to purchase and integrate a new long-range radar for both three frigates and a new training and testing facility (Test-Referenz-und Ausbildungsanlage, TRA) in Parow (Parow, Germany). The training and testing facility is supposed to be used for ground testing, confirmation of characteristics and training of Navy specialists. According to its air defense characteristics, the new radar should guarantee at least the same capabilities and performance as the current SMART-l radar.
The project is divided into two stages:
- Purchase and integration of a new long-range radar. The contractor is determined based on the results of the competition.
- Software development in the interests of missile DEFENSE.
The second stage develops the first and complements it. The hardware and software module for protection against ballistic missiles (Modul Ballistische Flugkörperabwehr, MBFA), as well as work on the adaptation of tactical data lines (Link 16), is an addition. Direct participation of the F124 frigate in the fight against ballistic missiles using its own means of destruction is not provided.
According to the plan, the first stage of the project implementation and, accordingly, the start of the competition was scheduled for mid-December 2018. Proposals from contractors were expected to arrive by March 2019. The contract was expected to be signed in June 2020. The timing is highly likely to have shifted due to the coronavirus pandemic.
According to experts, a likely bidder could be, for example, the company "Thales" with the offer of the SMART-LMM/N product or the modernization of the current SMART-l radar. Another possible participant isLeonardowith the KRONOS® Power Shield radar system.
KRONOS® Power Shield project
The German Navy command is considering re-equipping frigates with a new long-range radar during planned maintenance periods. The goal is not to limit the operational availability of ships. For this reason, calendar planning focused on planned repair periods currently looks like this:
- integration of long-range radar (hereinafter-radar) in the training and testing facility (Parov) - December 2022;
- integration of radar on the first ship-January 2024.;
- integration of radar on the second ship-November 2024;
- radar integration on the third ship-March 2026
After the upgrade, the tasks and functions of the CDS will remain the same. During the second stage, they will receive an extension in the form of a missile DEFENSE module. In order to minimize risks, the module is installed as an external one and is not fully integrated into the CDS. However, the adaptation of the existing CDS to the new long-range radar should take place at the first stage.
Thus, the command of the German Navy takes measures to preserve the operational value of the largest ships of the German fleet. The equipment and armament of the F124 frigates is undergoing modernization aimed at adapting them to new challenges and maintaining their combat effectiveness.
Missile firing frigates type f124 "Saxony" (F219) and type F123 "Schleswig-Holstein" (F216):
Based on the materials of the magazine "Europäische Sicherheit & Technik»