| notes | "The Almirante Brown class is a class (MEKO 360H2 type) of warships built in Germany for the Argentine Navy. They were commissioned between 1983 and 1984, after the Falklands War. The class comprises four ships; Almirante Brown, La Argentina, Heroína and Sarandí. They are classified as either frigates or destroyers by different publications. The MEKO 360 type warships are based on modular designs which allow quick changes to the vessel's armaments depending on mission requirements. The modular nature of the construction also allows the ships to be modernized or refitted with greater ease. Six vessels were initially ordered, however two ships were cancelled and replaced with orders for MEKO 140 type hulls.
Ordered in 1979, construction of the ships was delayed as the British turbines were embargoed after the Falklands War. Furthermore, the acquisition of helicopters for the vessels has seen many incarnations. They were initially intended to be equipped with Westland Lynx helicopters, but the order was cancelled in 1982. The planned replacement Agusta-Bell AB 212 helicopters were not funded and instead, all of the Almirante Brown class deploy with AS 555 Fennec, while only La Argentina and Sarandí can employ SH-3D Sea King helicopters. Almirante Brown took part in Gulf War operations in 1990. All of the ships can be used as flagships.
Six vessels were ordered and four vessels of a second variant, MEKO 360H2, were constructed for Argentina. They were locally named the Almirante Brown class. They are considered frigates and destroyers by different publications. The design is based on the concept of modular systems and is capable of changing the armament of the ship swiftly and can be modernized/refitted with more ease. Each ship is capable of being used as a flagship.
The ships have a standard displacement of 2,900 long tons (2,900 t) and 3,360 long tons (3,410 t) at full load. The vessels are 125.9 metres (413 ft 1 in) long overall and 119.0 metres (390 ft 5 in) between perpendiculars with a beam of 15 metres (49 ft 3 in) and a draught of 5.8 metres (19 ft 0 in). The vessels are powered by a COGOG system driving two shafts composed of two Olympus TM 3B gas turbines rated at 51,800 shaft horsepower (38,600 kW) and two Tyne RM-IC gas turbines rated at 10,200 shaft horsepower (7,600 kW). The ships have a maximum speed of 30.5 knots (56.5 km/h; 35.1 mph) while using their Olympus gas turbines at 18 knots (33 km/h; 21 mph) using their Tyne turbines. The MEKOs have a maximum range of 4,500 nautical miles (8,300 km; 5,200 mi) at 18 knots.
The Argentinian vessels are armed with eight Exocet surface-to-surface missiles in two quad launchers mounted centrally and one octuple launcher for Aspide surface-to-air missiles mounted aft of the superstructure. The MEKO 360H2 are also equipped with one OTO Melara 5-inch (127 mm)/54 calibre naval gun forward of the superstructure, eight Bofors 40 mm/70 calibre guns, and two triple-mounted 324 mm (13 in) ILAS torpedo tubes.
The ships are equipped with a Graseby G1738 towed decoy countermeasure system, two Breda 105 mm (4 in) SCLAR chaff rocket launchers with each launcher sporting 20 tubes. For electronic support measures, the vessels are armed with the Sphinx system and the Scimitar system for electronic countermeasures. The class is equipped with two Signaal DA08A air/surface search radar operating on the F band and Signaal ZW06 surface search radar operating on I band. They have Decca 1226 navigational radar operating on the I band and their fire control systems are controlled by the Signaal SEWACO Link 10/11 system supported by Signaal STIR radar operating on the I/J and K bands, Signaal WM25 operating on I and J band, along with LIRODA radar systems that control the 40 mm gun mounts. For sub-surface search, the vessels have Atlas Elektronik 80 hull-mounted active search sonar.
All of the Almirante Brown class are equipped with a helicopter deck and hangar. They all deploy with AS 555 Fennec helicopters, while only La Argentina and Sarandí can employ SH-3D Sea King helicopters. The ships have a complement of 200, including 26 officers." |
|---|
| sections | | name | "System" |
|---|
| properties | | name | "Alternative Designation" |
|---|
| value | "Almirante Brown Class" |
|---|
|
| name | "Date of Introduction" |
|---|
| value | "1983" |
|---|
|
| name | "Proliferation" |
|---|
| value | "4 ships total" |
|---|
|
| name | "Type" |
|---|
| value | "Destroyer" |
|---|
|
| name | "Builder" |
|---|
| value | "Blohm+Voss" |
|---|
|
| name | "In Service" |
|---|
| value | "1983-Present" |
|---|
|
| name | "Crew" |
|---|
| value | "200 (26 off. + 174 enl.)" |
|---|
|
|
|---|
|
| name | "Dimensions" |
|---|
| properties | | name | "Length, Overall" |
|---|
| value | "125.9 m" |
|---|
|
| name | "Length, Perpendiculars" |
|---|
| value | "119.0 m" |
|---|
|
|
| name | "Draft, Hull" |
|---|
| value | "4.3 m" |
|---|
|
| name | "Draft Sonar" |
|---|
| value | "5.8 m" |
|---|
|
| name | "Displacement, Standard" |
|---|
| value | "2,947 tons" |
|---|
|
| name | "Displacement, Full Load" |
|---|
| value | "3,667 tons" |
|---|
|
|
|---|
|
| name | "Propulsion System" |
|---|
| properties | | name | "Engine Name" |
|---|
| value | "2 x Olympus type TM3B gas turbines" |
|---|
|
| name | "Engine Power" |
|---|
| value | "25,800 shp each" |
|---|
|
| name | "Propellers" |
|---|
| value | "2 x Escher-Wyss controllable-pitch propellers" |
|---|
|
| name | "Maximum Range" |
|---|
| value | "4,500 nm at 18 kts" |
|---|
|
| name | "Maximum Speed" |
|---|
| value | "31 knots" |
|---|
|
| name | "Endurance" |
|---|
| value | "INA" |
|---|
|
|
|---|
|
| name | "Missile System" |
|---|
| sections | | name | "Missile System #1" |
|---|
| properties | | name | "Name" |
|---|
| value | "Quad MM-40 Exocet" |
|---|
|
| name | "Type" |
|---|
| value | "Anti-Ship Missile" |
|---|
|
| name | "Quantity" |
|---|
| value | "2 x Quad MM-40 Exocet SSM launchers" |
|---|
|
| name | "Launcher" |
|---|
| value | "SSM Launcher" |
|---|
|
| name | "Missile" |
|---|
| value | "Exocet" |
|---|
|
|
|
| name | "Diameter" |
|---|
| value | "34.8 cm" |
|---|
|
| name | "Wingspan" |
|---|
| value | "1.35 m" |
|---|
|
| name | "Weight" |
|---|
| value | "780 kh" |
|---|
|
| name | "Warhead" |
|---|
| value | "165 kg" |
|---|
|
| name | "Engine" |
|---|
| value | "solid propellant engine
turbojet (MM40 Block 3 version)" |
|---|
|
| name | "Operational Range" |
|---|
| value | "180 km" |
|---|
|
| name | "Flight Altitude" |
|---|
| value | "Sea-skimming" |
|---|
|
| name | "Speed" |
|---|
| value | "Mach 0.93" |
|---|
|
| name | "Guidance System" |
|---|
| value | "Inertial guidance and terminal active radar homing" |
|---|
|
| name | "Launch Platforms" |
|---|
| value | "MM38 surface-launched;
AM39 air-launched;
SM39 submarine-launched;
MM40 surface-launched" |
|---|
|
|
|---|
|
| name | "Missile System #2" |
|---|
| properties | | name | "Name" |
|---|
| value | "Albatros (Mark 29)" |
|---|
|
| name | "Type" |
|---|
| value | "Surface-to-Air Missile" |
|---|
|
| name | "Quantity" |
|---|
| value | "1 x Albatros (Mark 29) 8-cell launcher for Aspide SAM" |
|---|
|
| name | "Launcher" |
|---|
| value | "8-cell launcher" |
|---|
|
| name | "Missile" |
|---|
| value | "Albatros (Mark 29) Missile" |
|---|
|
| name | "In Service" |
|---|
| value | "1973-Present" |
|---|
|
| name | "Proliferation" |
|---|
| value | "Over 30 countries" |
|---|
|
| name | "Length" |
|---|
| value | "3.72 m" |
|---|
|
| name | "Diameter" |
|---|
| value | "234 mm" |
|---|
|
| name | "Wingspan" |
|---|
| value | "80 cm" |
|---|
|
| name | "Weight" |
|---|
| value | "220 kg" |
|---|
|
| name | "Speed" |
|---|
| value | "4520 km/h (mach 3.7)" |
|---|
|
| name | "Effective Firing Range" |
|---|
| value | "25 km" |
|---|
|
| name | "Warhead" |
|---|
| value | "35 kg warhead" |
|---|
|
|
|---|
|
|
|---|
|
| name | "Gun Weapon System" |
|---|
| sections | | name | "Gun Weapon System #1" |
|---|
| properties | | name | "Name" |
|---|
| value | "Otobreda 127/54 Compact" |
|---|
|
| name | "Type" |
|---|
| value | "The Otobreda 127mm/54 Compact (127/54C) gun is a dual purpose naval artillery piece built by the Italian company Oto Melara. It uses the 127mm round which is also used in the 5 inch/ 54 gun, albeit that this gun calibre is measured in United States customary units rather than metric." |
|---|
|
| name | "Caliber" |
|---|
| value | "127mm" |
|---|
|
| name | "Quantity" |
|---|
| value | "1 x 127-mm/54-cal Oto Melara DP" |
|---|
|
| name | "In Service" |
|---|
| value | "1992-Present" |
|---|
|
| name | "Proliferation" |
|---|
| value | "Currently the gun is still in use by navies around the world but it is slowly being replaced by the Otobreda 127/64 for new vessels, such as the German Navy's F125-class frigate and Italian Navy's FREMM." |
|---|
|
|
|
| name | "Crew" |
|---|
| value | "Remote Control" |
|---|
|
| name | "Loading System" |
|---|
| value | "The gun uses an automatic loading system where 66 127mm rounds of various kinds can be stored ready-to-fire in three loader drums (each holding 22 rounds)." |
|---|
|
| name | "Elevation" |
|---|
| value | "−15°/+83°" |
|---|
|
| name | "Traverse" |
|---|
| value | "360" |
|---|
| units | "deg" |
|---|
|
| name | "Rate of Fire" |
|---|
| value | "40 rounds/min" |
|---|
|
| name | "Effective Firing Range" |
|---|
| value | "±30 km (100 km with guided VULCANO ammunition)" |
|---|
|
| name | "Feed System" |
|---|
| value | "Magazine capacity:
66 ready rounds" |
|---|
|
|
|---|
|
| name | "Ammunition Gun Weapon System #1" |
|---|
| properties | |
| name | "Caliber" |
|---|
| value | "127" |
|---|
| units | "mm" |
|---|
|
| name | "Basic Load" |
|---|
| value | "INA" |
|---|
|
|
|---|
|
| name | "Gun Weapon System #2" |
|---|
| properties | | name | "Name" |
|---|
| value | "Bofors 40mm Gun" |
|---|
|
| name | "Type" |
|---|
| value | "Anti-Aircraft Gun" |
|---|
|
|
| name | "Quantity" |
|---|
| value | "4 x twin 40-mm/70-cal Breda/Bofors AA Systems" |
|---|
|
|
| name | "Barrel Length" |
|---|
| value | "2.2 m" |
|---|
|
|
|
| name | "Weight" |
|---|
| value | "1,981 kg" |
|---|
|
|
| name | "Elevation" |
|---|
| value | "−5°/+90°" |
|---|
|
| name | "Traverse" |
|---|
| value | "360" |
|---|
| units | "deg" |
|---|
|
| name | "Rate of Fire" |
|---|
| value | "120 round/min" |
|---|
|
| name | "Muzzle Velocity" |
|---|
| value | "881 m/s" |
|---|
|
| name | "Maximum Firing Range" |
|---|
| value | "7,160 m" |
|---|
|
|
|---|
|
| name | "Ammunition Gun Weapon System #2" |
|---|
| properties | |
|
| name | "Shell" |
|---|
| value | "Complete round:
L/43 40×311mmR
L/60 40×311mmR
L/70 40×365mmR" |
|---|
|
| name | "Shell Weight" |
|---|
| value | "0.9 kg (2 lb 0 oz)" |
|---|
|
| name | "Basic Load" |
|---|
| value | "INA" |
|---|
|
|
|---|
|
| name | "Gun Weapon System #3" |
|---|
|
| name | "Ammunition Gun Weapon System #3" |
|---|
|
|
|---|
|
| name | "Onboard Aviation Facilities" |
|---|
| properties | | name | "Facilities" |
|---|
| value | "Helicopter deck and hangar" |
|---|
|
| name | "Helicopters" |
|---|
| value | "1 x AS-355M Fennec or SH-3D Sea King" |
|---|
|
|
|---|
|
| name | "Fire Control" |
|---|
| properties | | name | "FCS #1" |
|---|
| value | "1 x Thales WM-25 track-while-scan for missiles" |
|---|
|
| name | "FCS #2" |
|---|
| value | "1 x Thales STIR fire control" |
|---|
|
| name | "FCS #3" |
|---|
| value | "2 x Thales LIROD radar/optronic GFCS control the 40-mm guns" |
|---|
|
|
|---|
|
| name | "Sonar Systems" |
|---|
| properties | | name | "Sonar System" |
|---|
| value | "1 x STN Atlas-Elektronik KAE-80 (DSQS-21BZ) hull-mounted, medium-frequency" |
|---|
|
|
|---|
|
| name | "Radar Systems" |
|---|
| properties | | name | "Air and Surface Radar" |
|---|
| value | "1 x Thales DA-08A air/surface search" |
|---|
|
| name | "Surface Radar" |
|---|
| value | "1 x Thales ZW-06 surface search" |
|---|
|
| name | "Navigation Radar" |
|---|
| value | "1 x Racal-Decca 1226 navigation" |
|---|
|
|
|---|
|
| name | "Protection" |
|---|
| properties | | name | "Active Protection System" |
|---|
| value | "Yes" |
|---|
|
| name | "Electronic Warfare Intercept" |
|---|
| value | "1 x Racal Rapids intercept" |
|---|
|
| name | "Electronic Warfare Jammer" |
|---|
| value | "1 x Racal Scimitar jammer" |
|---|
|
| name | "Decoy System #1" |
|---|
| value | "1 x Graseby G1738 towed torpedo decoy" |
|---|
|
| name | "Decoy System #2" |
|---|
| value | "2 x 20-round Oto Melara 105-mm SCLAR decoy rocket launchers" |
|---|
|
| name | "Decoy System #3" |
|---|
| value | "1 x CSEE Dagaie double mounting decoy launcher" |
|---|
|
| name | "ASW Weapon System" |
|---|
| value | "2 x depth charge racks [10 Mk 9 depth charges carried]" |
|---|
|
|
|---|
|
|
|---|
