HS Salamis (F455)

History

HS Salamis (F455) is the fourth of four Hydra-class guided missile frigates in service with the Greek Navy. The group evolved from the German MEKO 200 design, with the lead ship HS Hydra (F452) built by shipyards Blohm and Voss. The remaining three ships were completed by Greek shipyards. HS Salamis, named after the Battle of Salamis (480 BC), was laid on December 20, 1994.

The warship was launched on May 15, 1996, officially commissioned with the Greek Navy on December 16, 1998, and continues to be active in the Greek fleet.

Like other Hydra-class ships, the Salamis displaces nearly 3,350 tons, has a barrel length of 384 feet, a beam of 49 feet, and a draft of up to 20 feet. Its propulsion scheme is completely conventional, centered around a CODOG (combined diesel or gas) configuration, consisting of 2 x 10,040hp MTU 20V956 marine diesel engines and 2 x 60,656hp GE LM2500 gas turbines. This hybrid approach allows warships to save fuel when cruising and use more energy when cruising at full speed.

Under ideal conditions, the offshore speed can reach more than 30 knots, and the operating range can reach 4,100 nautical miles.

There are about 173 seafarers on board. Different systems are installed for search, tracking and engagement purposes and for communication. These include air/surface search radar, fire control equipment, navigation equipment, torpedo decoys and sonar (both hull mounted and towed types available).

Armament includes 1 x 127 mm Mk 45 Mod 2A main gun and forward turret, Mk 48 Mod 2 Vertical Launch System (VLS) and 16 x RIM-162 "Evolution Sea Sparrow Missile" medium-range surface-to-surface On-board Missiles (SAM), 2 x Mk 141 "Harpoon" quadruple anti-ship missile launchers (closer to midship), 2 x Mk 15 "Phalanx" close-in weapons system (CIWS) and 2 x Mk 32 torpedo launchers device. All in all, the warship can attack aircraft, surface ships and submarines with the same lethality as short to medium range.

Also supports Sikorsky SH-70B-6 Aegean Seahawk naval helicopters, equipped for anti-ship/submarine combat missions. It can also provide much-needed over-the-horizon (OtH) lookouts and find downed pilots. A full-service hangar facility provides support.

Based on Hydra design, Salamis has the same design line. These include a raised bow, a continuous hull line and a stepped stern area. The bridge is located aft of the deck towers and forward defence systems, and above them are the main foremasts and then the shorter mizzen masts. The smoke funnel is closed and has a low profile.

The fuselage structure extends all the way to the stern, ending in the aforementioned hangar/heliport area.

At the time of writing, HS Salamis is still actively serving the Greek Navy and is an important part of the Greek Navy in the Aegean and Mediterranean regions - especially with the new threat from neighboring Turkey. In addition to the combination of Hydra- and Eli-class frigates, there is a range of submarines, missile boats, gunboats and support ships (including minesweepers).

Specification

Fundamentals

Year of Service

1998

Origins

Greece

Status

In service

supplement

173

staff

Class information

Class

Hydra

Class Size

4

ships

Class

Hydra (F452); Spetsai (F453); Sarah (F454); Salamis (F455)

Operator

Greece

Characters

Sea Bombing

Maritime bombardment/attack of surface targets/areas primarily through ship-based ballistic weapons.

Land Assault

Littoral attacks against surface targets primarily through ship-based missiles/missile weapons.

Sea Patrol

Active patrolling of critical waterways and sea areas; also serves as a local deterrent against air and maritime threats.

Airspace Denial/Deterrence

Neutralization or deterrence of flying elements by airborne missile weapon ballistics.

Fleet Support

Provide support (fire or materiel) to major surface fleets in blue water environments.

Dimensions and Weight

Length

385.5 feet

117.50m

Ray

48.6 feet

14.81m

Draft

19.7 feet

6.00m

Shift

3,350 t

Power and Performance

Installed Power:

CODOG (combined diesel or gas): 2x 10,040hp MTU 20V956 diesel engines and 2x 60,656hp GE LM2500 gas turbines; 2 x axle rear.

Surface Velocity

31. 0 nodes

(35.7 km/h)

Area

4,084nm

(4,700 miles | 7,564 kilometers)

Weapons

1 x 127mm Mk 45 Mod 2A main gun, turret located above the first floor. 1 x Mk 48 Mod 2 Vertical Launch System (VLS) for 16 x RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) medium-range surface-to-surface missiles. 2 x Mk 141 "Harpoon" anti-ship quadruple rocket launchers amidships.

2 x Mk 15 "Phalanx" Close-In Weapon System (CIWS). 2 x 324mm Mk 32 Mod 5 torpedo launchers.

Aircraft

1 x Sikorsky SH-60B-6 Aegean Navy Helicopter, supported by aft helipad with full hangar facility.