Naval Warfare
Illustrations of warships and submarines.
ANZAC class frigate
The Anzac class (also known as the MEKO 200 ANZ) consists of ten frigates; eight of which are operated by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and two by the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN).
The design is based on Blohm & Voss’ MEKO 200 PN and were redesigned to maximise the involvement of Australian and New Zealand industries. 80% of the materials had to be sourced locally, with New Zealand supplying 20% of that.
Anzacs follow German Navy standards, except where Australian or American standards were specified. The frigates were constructed at AMECON’s shipyard in Williamstown, Victoria, from modules fabricated throughout Australia and New Zealand.
Elpidifors 413
The Elpidifors were a successful class of multi-purpose ships, projected in the early days of the First World War and based on the Azov Sea steam schooner Elpidifor.
In wartime it was planned to use such ships as landing vessels, minesweepers or minelayers, and as merchant ships in peacetime. The universal character of these vessels predetermined a number of special requirements: large capacity, shallow draught at the fore and suitability for Black Sea conditions.
In 1916 a series of 20 vessels (numbers 410-429) was laid down in Nikolaev, but none had been completed when the Russian revolution began. Elpidifor numbers 410-412 were completed by White Russians in 1919 and subsequently were sent abroad.
After Nikolaev fell to Red Army troops, Elpidifor numbers 413-417 were completed as gunboats. The rest were completed as tankers and dry cargo vessels.
Capable of carrying up to 6 light tanks or 9 lorries, or 2000 marines, Elpidifor 413 survived the Great War, serving as a minesweeper and gunboat in the 1920s and ended her days as a survey vessel in 1947.
HMS Astute
The lead boat of her class, HMS Astute is a nuclear powered-attack submarine in the Royal Navy, 50% larger than the previous Trafalgar class, but requiring a smaller crew.
The Rolls-Royce PWR reactor will not need refuelling throughout its expected 25 year service life. As the submarine can purify both water and air, it is able to circumnavigate the globe without needing to surface. The only limitation on endurance is the three months’ supply of food for the 98 crew.
There are six 21 inch torpedo tubes with stowage for up to 38 weapons, which may include Tomahawk Block IV cruise missiles and Spearfish heavyweight torpedoes.
HMS Gnat
HMS Gnat was a Royal Navy Insect class gunboat. She was built by Lobnitz and launched in 1915.
During the First World War, Gnat took part in the Mesopotamian Campaign as part of the gunboat squadron operating on the Euphrates and Tigris rivers. In 1927, she participated in a Royal Navy flotilla in the Nanjing incident, helping to protect British and other international citizens and business interests in China.
During the Second World War, Gnat was part of the China Station until 1940, when she was relieved by HMS Grasshopper. She then transferred to the Mediterranean Fleet’s Inshore Squadron. Torpedoed on 21 October 1941 by the U-79, she was towed and beached at Alexandria and used as a fixed anti-aircraft platform.
She was finally scrapped in 1945.
HMS Invincible
HMS Invincible was the lead ship of a class of three light aircraft carriers in the Royal Navy.
Originally designated an anti-submarine warfare carrier, she served as an aircraft carrier alongside her sister ship Hermes.
Note the upward curved ski-jump ramp at the forward end of the flight deck. This allowed the carrier’s Sea Harriers to carry a heavier load, using a shorter take-off run, leaving more deck space for helicopter operations.
The normal air wing consisted of ten Westland Sea King helicopters and twelve Sea Harriers in the strike, anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare multi missions. In the strike and anti-submarine only scenario, 18 Harrier GR.7/9 and four Sea King and Merlin helicopters were carried.
Landing Ship, Tank
A landing ship, tank (LTA) is a ship designed to deliver tanks, vehicles and troops to a shallow beach as part of an amphibious assault.
Those developed during World War II featured a flat keel to enable the ship to be beached, with protection for the propellors and rudders, and large bow doors to deploy a ramp.
LTAs were used in the Allied invasion of Algeria, Sicily, mainland Italy and, of course, Normandy.
Poliment Redut
The S-350 Vityaz is a Russian medium-range surface-to-air missile system, the Naval version shown here has 9M96E guided missiles and is known as the Redut.
The missiles are believed to have a range of between 12and 120km (7.5–74.6 miles), aerodynamic control surfaces and thrust vectoring.
Submarine Profiles
Part of a series of submarine profiles for “Submarines 1914-Present: The Essential Naval Identification Guide”.
Submarines
Non-specific fast-attack and ballistic missile boats.
Type 23 Frigate
Primarily designed for anti-submarine warfare, this British class of frigates are commonly known as the Duke class, being named after British dukedoms.
Sixteen were built, nine remain in service with the Royal Navy, and it is expected that HMS St. Albans will be the last to retire in 2035.
The addition of the anti-aircraft Sea Wolf missile and Harpoon surface-to-surface missiles, the type 23 has evolved into a more balance weapon optimised for general warfare.
Warship Profiles
A selection of some of the side profiles for “Battleships and Aircraft Carriers 1900–Present – Weapons of War”.
