HS Hydra (F452)

1992 MODERN NAVY

• 1 HS Hydra (F452) History
• 2 HS Hydra (F452) Specification
  • 2.1 Basics
  • 2.2 Class information
  • 2.3 Operator
  • 2.4 Characters
  • 2.5 Dimensions and Weight
  • 2.6 Power and Performance
  • 2.7 Weapons
  • 2.8 Aircraft

HS Hydra (F452) History

The Hydra (F452) is a guided missile frigate of the modern Greek (Greek) Navy, representing her four-man class leader. This type is based on the MEKO 200 series designed in Germany and manufactured by the shipyard Blohm and Voss.

The MEKO 200 was developed in the 1980s, when the Cold War between East and West was still raging, which meant that in total around 25 examples of this class were built - all of which are used today (2020) by heavy global players Including Greece, Australia, Turkey and South Africa.

For the Greek Navy, the Hydra class entered service in 1992 and all four ships are still in service, Hyrda (F452) itself and sisters Spetsai (F453), Psara (F454) and Salamis (F455 ).

Despite having a long coastline, Greece has a fairly modest naval force consisting of submarines, frigates, fast attack boats/gunboats and support ships. The surface fleet is led by the Hydra class, which has contributions from the nine-man Elie class.

While the latter was modernized from 2004 to 2009, the Hydra class is currently (2020) being modernized in response to a growing threat in the Mediterranean Sea (i.e. neighbouring Turkey).

Hydra (F-452), named after Hydra Island, launched on 25 June 1991 and entered service in 1992. She was a 3,350-ton warship, 384 feet long, 49 feet beam, and 20 feet draught. Power is provided by a CODOG (Combined Diesel or Gas) unit designed for increased fuel efficiency, allowing the use of marine diesel or gas turbines depending on the desired operation (going fast, cruising).

The twin-shaft arrangement consists of 2 MTU 20V955 diesel engines rated at 10,040 hp and 2 GE LM2500 gas turbines rated up to 60,656 hp. This gives the vessel a forward speed of up to 31 knots and a range of 4,100 nautical miles when cruising at 16 knots on a diesel pair.

There are 173 sailors on board with various tasks. The ship is also equipped with a variety of sensors and processing systems, including Signall MW08 air search radar, Signall DA08 air surface radar and 2 x Signall STIR fire control radars. A Racal Decca 2690 BT was used as the navigation air, while Raytheon's SQS-56/DE was a hull mounted sonar.

The ship is equipped with the SLQ-25 "Nixie" torpedo decoy system for self-defense. Electronic warfare (EW) systems include the Argo AR700 ESM and Telegon 10 Series ESM systems.

At the heart of a warship is its armament, which is widely and diversely equipped to better respond to threats at sea, under water and over long distances. The weapon family is a mix of projectile and missile-based offerings, led by a single Mk 45 Mod 2A turret deck gun that mounts a useful 127mm Dual Purpose (DP) automatic cannon. 2 x Mk 141 "Harpoon" quad launchers are carriers for the anti-ship role. Using the Mk 48 Mod 2 launcher, the ship can fire up to 16 RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow missiles against medium-range air threats.

2 x 20mm Mk 15 "Phalanx" units as a final anti-aircraft weapon, covering the role of the Close-In Weapon System (CIWS). Completing the kit are 2 x 324 mm (13 in) Mk 32 Mod 5 torpedo tubes capable of handling both surface and underwater threats.

The shape of the warship corresponds to the ship design of the 1990s. These include minimal overhangs, kinked uninterrupted hull lines and raised bows. The forward building houses the turret-type main battery, and one of the two phalanx defense guns is located on the aft stage. In the distance is the start of the bridge superstructure containing the main mast, where the trussed mast houses various radar equipment and communications panels.

The superstructure continues aft to a low closed chimney in the centre of the ship - this is also where the secondary mast and Harpoon missile launcher are located. Aft is the remainder of the fuselage superstructure, housing a full-service helicopter hangar with a helipad attached to the stern.

The second phalanx unit is located above the hangar.

The ship can support naval helicopters Sikorsky S-70B-6 "Aegean Eagle" (or similar). These come with their own submarine/ship hunting equipment, which further expands the "eyes and eyes" of the ship.

Hydra started her service with the Greek Navy in January 1993, completing her first official voyage. So far it has lived a relatively peaceful life until it left its berth in Salamis in May 2020 during Operation Irini, a UN operation aimed at preventing weapons from entering war-torn Libya.

Unspecified damage meant Hydra was not involved - Spetsai took her place.

HS Hydra (F452) Specification

Basics

Year of Operation

1992

Origins

Greece

Status

In service

supplement

173

staff

Class information

Class

Hydra class (MEKO 200)

Class Size

4

ships

Class

Hydra (F452); Spetsey (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): 2 x 10,040 hp MTU 20V956 diesel engines and 2 x 60,656 hp 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)

kts = nodes | mph = miles per hour | nm = nautical miles | mi = miles | km = miles 1 kts = 1.15mph | 1 nautical mile = 1.15 kilometers | 1 nautical mile = 1.85 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 Eagle" naval helicopter, supported by a tail helipad with full hangar facility.