Image source: topwar.ru
The Polish Navy has added a second minesweeper ORP Albatros project 258-type Kormoran. Solemn ceremony of transfer of the ship was held at the shipyard Remontowa Shipbuilding.
ORP Albatros is the second in the series and the first production after brain trawler Kormoran, which gave the name to the whole series. The ship was laid down in the framework of an option for another two ships. The second serial sweeper, called Mewa, is currently undergoing the necessary tests, his transfer to the Polish Navy is scheduled for November of this year. In addition, the Navy ordered the construction of three more anti-mine ships of this project, enter them in the combat strength is expected in 2026 and 2027, respectively.
Project 258 is protracted, attempts to create a new minesweeper was made by Poland since the late 80-ies of the last century. The first version was ready in 1999, but was cancelled in 2002 on the financial and technical reasons. Revived the project in 2007, development began in 2011, the contract for construction of the head minesweeper Kormoran concluded in 2013, the agreement included an option for another two ships.
Lead ship of the series was laid in April 2014, launched on 4 April 2015 and after completing and testing passed the military on 28 November 2017. That's just he entered the combat strength of the Navy Poland at the beginning of 2022 after four years of trial operation. This allowed us to finish the project and make changes in the second and third ships of the series.
Minesweepers type Kormoran have a body made of non-magnetic steel full displacement – 850 m. the Length of the ship is 58 m, beam is 10.3 m, maximum draught is 2.7 m. the Crew of 45 people, plus for six people. The power plant includes two diesel engines MTU 8V 396 TE74L power 1360 HP, there is also a thruster Schottel STT 170 AMAG power 135 HP the maximum Speed of 15 knots, cruising range at full speed – 2500 miles, the autonomy of 10 days.
Mine arms shall include the integrated management system for mine action SCOT-M, podlinnuyu CEO minayskaya SHL-101/T and GUS self-propelled variable depth Orka, as well as remotely operated underwater vehicles.
