Lütjens-class Destroyer

The Type 103 ''Lütjens'' class was the last class of destroyers in service with the German Navy. The ships were US guided missile destroyers but with some modifications to meet German requirements. They were replaced by the new s, designated frigate even though they are much larger and more capable in all aspects than the ''Lütjens''-class destroyers.

Development

The three ''Lütjens'' destroyers were purchased from the US to provide air defence.

For German use, they received the following modifications:
* Communication systems according to German standards. The ''Lütjens'' class had more aerials and a second mast mounted on the aft funnel. The large air surveillance radar was positioned further aft (above the funnel).
In turn, the new antennas and radar location meant that the funnels had to be modified. On the ''Lütjens'' the exhaust gases were emitted sideways with two pipes on the port and starboard side of each funnel.
* New location of the sonar array. The ''Lütjens'' had their sonar dome located in a bulge directed forward in the bow and not under the bow to reduce the ship's draft.
* Better crew accommodation.

Speeds over could be sustained for only a limited time due to the enormous fuel consumption. With two active boilers the ship could achieve speeds up to . Three boilers made achievable. For any speed beyond all four boilers were needed.

Service

The three ships in the class were commissioned in 1969 and 1970. In service, they formed the ''1. Zerstörergeschwader'' ("first destroyer squadron") based in Kiel.

The ''Lütjens'' class was upgraded to Type 103A in the 1970s with new digital fire-control computers and better missiles for the old Tartar SM1 missile system. The boilers were also converted to burn lighter oil for logistical reasons instead of the heavy fuel oil that needs to be preheated.

A second major refit was undertaken in the 1980s when the ships were upgraded to Type 103B. Missiles were upgraded with a single Modified Mark 13 missile launcher fitted able to fire the SM-1MR surface-to-air missile and Harpoon anti-ship missile. A typical balance was 32 of the former and 8 of the latter. Fire control was improved with upgraded computers and a new AN/SPG-60 radar which also provided illumination for the missiles.

In the 1990s, the ships in the class each received two RIM-116 RAM launchers and Chaff launchers.

With the decommissioning of ''Lütjens'' on 18 December 2003 the age of steam ended for the German Navy. ''Mölders'' became a museum ship at the German Navy Museum in Wilhelmshaven.

List of ships

All three ships were built by Bath Iron Works in the United States. They were named after famous German officers who died in World War II: Günther Lütjens who had commanded the task group, the fighter ace Werner Mölders of the Luftwaffe, and Field Marshal Erwin Rommel.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lutjens Class Destroyer