The Type 143A ''Gepard'' class was a
class
Class or The Class may refer to:
Common uses not otherwise categorized
* Class (biology), a taxonomic rank
* Class (knowledge representation), a collection of individuals or objects
* Class (philosophy), an analytical concept used differentl ...
of missile bearing
fast attack craft
A fast attack craft (FAC) is a small, fast, agile, offensive, often affordable warship armed with anti-ship missiles, gun or torpedoes. FACs are usually operated in close proximity to land as they lack both the seakeeping and all-round defensive ...
(german: Schnellboot) and the last one in service with the
German Navy
The German Navy (, ) is the navy of Germany and part of the unified ''Bundeswehr'' (Federal Defense), the German Armed Forces. The German Navy was originally known as the ''Bundesmarine'' (Federal Navy) from 1956 to 1995, when ''Deutsche Mari ...
before the remaining four operational ships were decommissioned on 16 November 2016. The Ghana Navy operates two such ships.
It is an evolution of the , the main difference being the replacement of the second 76 mm gun by the RAM system. The ''Gepard''-class vessels were gradually supplemented by s and later replaced completely by them.
The ships in class were named after small to medium-sized predatory animals; ''Gepard'' is German for "
cheetah
The cheetah (''Acinonyx jubatus'') is a large cat native to Africa and central Iran. It is the fastest land animal, estimated to be capable of running at with the fastest reliably recorded speeds being , and as such has evolved specialized ...
".
List of ships
The "S" and the number are part of the ship's full name. When the ships were first commissioned, their designation included only the number; however, the crews petitioned for full names, and the decision was made to combine the original names with the additional animal name.
Since 1 July 2006, all ships had formed part of the 7. Schnellbootgeschwader (7th Fast Patrol Boat Squadron), whereas for the eight years prior the flotilla was split into (hulls S 76–S 80) 2. Schnellbootgeschwader (2nd Fast Patrol Boat Squadron), and (hulls S 71–S 75) 7. Schnellbootgeschwader. The squadron was stationed in Warnemünde, where both predecessor squadrons had been based.
Gallery
File:Schnellboot P6121.jpg, S71 ''Gepard''
File:ExocetNerz.jpg, Exocet launchers onboard S74 ''Nerz''
File:RAM-Nerz.jpg, RAM
Ram, ram, or RAM may refer to:
Animals
* A male sheep
* Ram cichlid, a freshwater tropical fish
People
* Ram (given name)
* Ram (surname)
* Ram (director) (Ramsubramaniam), an Indian Tamil film director
* RAM (musician) (born 1974), Dutch
* Ra ...
launcher onboard S74 ''Nerz''
File:Zobel P6125 (Ship, 1983).jpg, S 75 Zobel
Notes
References
*
Patrol vessels of the German Navy
Missile boat classes
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