HNoMS Fridtjof Nansen (F310)

History

When the Norwegian Navy needed a new, state-of-the-art frigate to stockpile, the Fritchov Nansen-class surface warship was born. The lead ship, of course, became HNoMS Fridtjof Nansen (F310), which would represent a group of five. Spanish shipyard Navantia was selected to build (the F310 itself is based on the Spanish Navy's F100) and construction began on April 9, 2003.

The vessel was launched on June 3, 2004, and officially entered HNoMS service on April 5, 2006. She has since been joined by her sisters Roald Amundsen (F311), Otto Sverdrup (F312), Helge Ingstad (F313) and Thor Heyerdahl (F314) accompanying it.

A frigate is a general-purpose surface warship, mainly used to support the main fleet, so it has a wealth of offensive and defensive capabilities. They are generally larger in size than destroyers and have anti-ship and anti-submarine measures to fill various combat roles.

In this way, frigates are also designed to be self-sufficient ships, capable of operating independently from the main fleet, hunting down enemy submarines, etc.

Firdtjof Nansen offers state-of-the-art airborne facilities and active/passive protection as well as proven offensive measures. Like most modern warships, the Nansen has no side rails or channels on the deck to promote the stealthy nature of the high seas. The bow is raised at its forward end and extends amidships along a downward slope. The deck guns are housed in a turret that mounts the Vertical Launch System (VLS) missile bay directly aft. After the rocket unit is the bridge superstructure, which is characterized by a large rectangular window arrangement.

The forward superstructure is dominated by a tall, enclosed polygonal mast housing a large number of antennas and communication sensors as well as the necessary radar facilities. Midships are the first of two in-line smoke funnels that offer good shielding while maintaining a remarkably low profile. The second integrated superstructure is located midship and forward of the stern helipad.

This helipad can accommodate or launch medium lift class helicopters (NHIndustries NH-90 in Europe is the main type). The vessel can also deploy a pair of RHIBs (Rigid Inflatable Boats) in place of the NH-90 for quick response at sea. The RHIB is stored amidships near the sides of the first hopper.

The standard crew of Fridtjof Nansen is 120 but can be increased to 146 if required.

Fridtjof Nansen uses a special propulsion configuration called "CODAG" - "Combination of Diesel and Gas". As the name suggests, the system uses a hybrid setup to provide additional propulsion speed above the advertised cruising speed, while offering a smaller footprint than a conventional pure diesel engine.

Nansen is equipped with 2 BAZAN BRAVO diesel engines with GE GE LM2500 series gas turbines driving 2 variable pitch propellers in the stern. For precise docking maneuvers, Nansen relies on retractable electric bow thrusters.

All in all, the boat can sail at 26 knots for a range of 4,500 nautical miles.

Nansen's primary armament is the Mk 42 series eight-cell VLS system, located aft of the deck guns. Each unit contains four reloads of the Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) RIM-162, which entered U.S. Navy land service in 2004. Norwegian engineers developed the Homeland Naval Strike Missile, a maritime cruise missile that only entered service in 2012, of which the Nansen is equipped with eight. It also carries six 324mm torpedo tubes, which can be used to attack submarines or surface ships.

Extreme close range defense is handled by heavy 4x12.7mm Browning M2HB machine guns. The 76mm deck gun can also be replaced by the more powerful 127mm/54 gun, while supporting the short-range 40mm/70 gun.

In addition to the obvious arsenal, the Nansen is equipped with a state-of-the-art suite of sensors and processing systems. Lockheed Martin is supplying the AN/SPY-1F 3D multifunction phased array radar system, while Reutech will supply the RSR 210N sea and air search radar system. The fixed sonar system is embedded in the hull, while the active/passive Captas MK II V1 sonar can be towed.

The guns were supported by 2 Mark 82 fire control radars - one mounted on the bridge and the other on the stern superstructure. In self-defense, Nansen used Terma DL-12T chaff decoy launchers and a Loki torpedo countermeasure kit.

The Firdtjof Nansen has been stationed in the Gulf of Aden since 2009 as part of a joint European response to ongoing piracy in the region, mainly around Somalia. During her tenure there, she has already opened fire on Somali pirate ships.

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