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FGS Sachsen (F219)

2003 MODERN NAVY

FGS Saxony (F219) History

The German Navy's most advanced Saxony-class guided-missile frigates have been selected to replace the aging Rutjens-class destroyers. The latter consisted of three ships, which served during the Cold War (1947-1991) through the late 1990s and early 2000s. At this point, the line has completed emerging threats and advanced technologies, so the Saxon class has been selected to fill the current vacant position.

The new Tier III ships replace the outgoing ships on a one-on-one basis, a group led by FGS Sachsen (F219) and including sisters FGS Hamburg (F220) and FGS Hessen (F221).

The Saxon class is also known as "F124". The German Navy did not adopt the option of a fourth ship - FGS Thuringen (F222). All three of the aforementioned ships remain active in the German Navy's inventory??.

When complete, FGS Sachsen will drain 6,400 tons under load and maintain an overall length of 469 feet, beams of 57.2 feet, and a draft of 20 feet. Power comes from a CODAG (Combined Diesel and Gas) unit, where either (or both) engines can be called upon to perform various maneuvers, such as cruising and sprinting. Layout includes 2 x MTU V20 diesel engines and 1 x GE LM2500 gas turbine powered to 2 x axles under the stern.

The speed is over 29 knots and the range is up to 4,000 nautical miles.

Sachsen's profile relies heavily on proven stealth technology for warships. All parties work together to reduce protrusions around the vessel and lower the vessel's radar signature. The main mast is integrated into the bridge superstructure and fully enclosed.

The flues in the midship are flat and interconnected. The rear structure is mounted on its own mast, which is also closed. Above the stern of the warship is a helipad and a full-service hangar facility.

There were 230 crew members inside the battleship, and another 13 made up the Luftwaffe. Onboard hangar facility and aft helipad for transport and maintenance of up to 2 medium helicopters.

These helicopters provide a variety of services, including anti-submarine warfare (ASW), search and rescue (SAR), and over-the-horizon vision.

The onboard sensors and processing systems are state-of-the-art - the Thales suite runs the series, which includes the SMART-L Air/Ground Search Radar, APAR Air/Ground Search Radar and Sirius IRST Infrared Search and Track Radar including systems . Two multi-function ARPA radars of the STN Atlas 9600-M series were installed, as well as an electro-optical fire control system (FCS) Atlas MSP 500. The bow sonar consists of sonar units of the Atlas DSQS-24B series.

Electronic warfare (EW) is handled by the FL 1800 SII ECM suite. There are also 6 Sippican Hycor SRBOC launchers for launching decoys.

In terms of armament, the FGS Sachsen is armed with a mixture of conventional projectiles and rocket-guided weapons. There is a 76mm OTO-Melara dual-purpose deck gun with turret and 2 x 27mm Mauser MLG 27 series automatic cannons above the front stair. 1 x Mk 41 constitutes the Vertical Launch System (VLS), carrying groups of 32 surface-to-air missiles in the form of SM-2 and RIM-162. There are also 2 x Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) launchers and 2 x Harpoon anti-ship quad launchers.

In addition, there are more traditional three pairs of torpedo launchers supporting the EuroTop MU90 Impact torpedo series.

All in all, the warship can use its wide range of weapons against air targets (including incoming missiles and drones), surface combatants and enemy submarines - making the FGS Sachsen one of the most important warships of the modern German Navy today. 1.

Her service career began in 2004, when the warship successfully tested her missile and drone interception capabilities off the US West Coast. She later participated in joint German-American exercises in Pacific waters, and another joint exercise ushered in the ship in 2010 before the warship was deployed to the Mediterranean.

In January 2013, the FGS Saxony participated in NATO's "Standing Sea Power 1", with the German warship serving as the flagship. In March 2015, the warship participated in Operation Good Hope along with members of the South African Navy.

From 2013 to 2017, the Saxons and their sisters went through a modernization phase aimed at retaining warships as a viable deterrent for the foreseeable future.