Elefsis Industrial Enterprises SA has been awarded the contract for the supply of three Super Vita 62m fast attack missile craft for the Hellenic Navy. The ships, called the "Roussen Class", are being constructed at the Elefsis yard near Athens. Vosper Thornycroft provides design, construction support, ship's equipment and logistic support services to Elefsis. The initial requirement is for three fast attack craft and part of the agreement includes provision of two ex-Royal Navy Hunt Class mine countermeasure vessels.

The fast attack craft has a displacement of 580t fully loaded. The first ship, HS Roussen (P67), was launched in November 2002 and is undergoing sea trials prior to delivery in 2004. The second, HS Daniolis (P68), was launched in July 2003 and will be delivered by the end of 2004. The third, HS Kristallidis (P69), was launched in April 2004 and is due for delivery in November 2005.

In September 2003, a contract was awarded for a further two ships to be delivered in 2006 and 2007, to be built by Elefsis.

A newly covered construction facility in the Elefsis yard has been built for the construction of the three craft and for future projects.

ATTACK CRAFT DESIGN

The design of the fast attack craft is based on the smaller Vita class vessels already in service with the Qatar Emiri Navy and similar-sized craft built for Oman and other countries.

The fast attack craft has a steel hull and aluminium superstructure. Vosper Thornycroft Controls is supplying the electrical power distribution system, the platform management system, electrical machinery and the mine counter-countermeasures system.

FAST ATTACK CRAFT WEAPONS

The ship is armed with the MBDA (formerly EADS Aerospatiale-Matra) Exocet ITL 70A MM40 Block II surface-to-surface missile. Exocet uses active radar homing and has a range of 70km. The two four-cylinder launchers are installed on the missile deck, set in a crossed configuration with one facing starboard and one facing port side.

The vessel’s air defence missile system is the RAM (Rolling Airframe Missile), to be supplied by RAMSYS, a consortium of MBDA (formerly EADS Daimler-Chrysler Aerospace), Diehl and BGT. The missile system’s GMWS Mk 31 21-cell launcher is installed on the stern deck. The RIM-116A Block I missile has a dual-mode radar/imaging infra-red seeker and a range of 10km.

The craft's main gun installed on the bow deck is the Oto Melara Super Rapid 76mm gun which is capable of firing 6kg shells at a rate of 100 rounds per minute to a range of 16km. Two Oto Melara 30mm guns are installed on either side of the upper deck to the stern of the main radar mast.

The ship is equipped with the Argo Systems AR900 electronic support measures system and the Sippican SRBOC decoy launcher.

VESSEL COMBAT MANAGEMENT

The vessel is fitted with the Tacticos combat management system supplied by Thales Nederland (formerly Signaal). Tacticos provides automatic threat evaluation, allocates sensors and assigns weapons for target engagement. The combat room accommodates the MOC Mark 3 consoles which include three vertical consoles and one conference console. The Tacticos system is integrated with the Exocet missiles, 76mm gun, 30mm guns, RAM system, DR 3000 electronic support measures and the chaff launcher.

The craft is equipped with the Thales Nederland Sting fire control system.

SENSORS

The vessel's sensor suite includes the Thales MW08 3D G-band surveillance radar, Thales Nederland Mirador electro-optical target tracker, an integrated Thales Nederland Scout Mark II low probability of intercept radar and Northrop Grumman (formerly Litton) Marine Bridgemaster-E navigation radar.

COMMUNICATIONS

Redifon is supplying the communications system. The Data Link 11, model MDM 2002 is supplied by Rockwell Collins. The radome of the satellite communications system is installed on the upper deck between the main radar tower and the 30mm guns. Intercom Systems A/S of Denmark will supply the ICS 2000 integrated communications system. The information friend or foe system is the Aeromaritime IFF Mk 12

PROPULSION

The main propulsion system is four MTU 16V595 TE90 engines with ZF type BW1556666 / 1557 S gear boxes and three 250kW generators driving four fixed pitch propellers. The fast combat craft achieves a speed of 35 knots. Vosper Thornycroft Marine Products is supplying the 900 Series steering system and the 300 Series stabiliser system.

Displacement, tons: 2,710 light; 3,350 full load
Displacement Full Load (tonnes): 3403.6
Length (m): 117
Beam (m): 14.8
Draught (m): 6
Range (nm): 4100
Speed (knots): 31

Dimensions, feet (metres):383.9; 357.6 (wl) × 48.6 × 19.7 (117; 109 × 14.8 × 6)

Main machinery: CODOG; 2 GE LM 2500 gas turbines; 60,000 hp (44.76 MW)sustained; 2 MTU 20V 956 TB82 diesels; 10,420 hp(m) (7.66 MW) sustained; 2 shafts; cp props

Speed, knots: 31 gas; 20 diesel. Range, miles: 4,100 at 16 kt

Complement: 173 (22 officers) plus 16 flag staff

Missiles: SSM: 8 McDonnell Douglas Harpoon Block 1C; 2 quad launchers; active radar homing to 130 km (70 n miles) at 0.9 Mach; warhead 227 kg.
SAM: Raytheon NATO Sea Sparrow Mk 48 Mod 2 vertical launcher; 16 missiles; semi-active radar homing to 14.6 km (8 n miles) at 2.5 Mach; warhead 39 kg.

Guns: 1 FMC 5 in (127 mm)/54 Mk 45 Mod 2A 20 rds/min to 24 km (13 n miles) anti-surface; 14 km (7.7 n miles) anti-aircraft; weight of shell 32 kg. 2 GD/GE Vulcan Phalanx 20 mm Mk 15 Mod 12; 6 barrels per mounting; 3,000 rds/min combined to 1.5 km.

Torpedoes: 6-324 mm Mk 32 Mod 5 (2 triple) tubes. Honeywell Mk 46 Mod 5; anti-submarine; active/passive homing to 11 km (5.9 n miles) at 40 kt; warhead 44 kg.

Countermeasures: Decoys: 4 Mk 36 Mod 2 SRBOC chaff launchers. SLQ-25 Nixie; torpedo decoy.
ESM: Argo AR 700; Telegon 10; intercept.
ECM: Argo APECS II; jammer.

Combat data systems: Signaal STACOS Mod 2; Links 11 and 14.

Weapons control: 2 Signaal Mk 73 Mod 1 (for SAM). Vesta Helo transponder with datalink for OTHT. SAR-8 IR search. SWG 1 A(V) Harpoon LCS.

Radars: Air search: Signaal MW08; 3D; F/G-band.
Air Surface search: Signaal/Magnavox; DA08, F-band.
Navigation: Racal Decca 2690 BT; ARPA; I-band.
Fire Control: 2 Signaal STIR; I/J/K-band.
IFF: Mk XII Mod 4.

Sonars: Raytheon SQS-56/DE 1160; hull-mounted and VDS.

Helicopters: 1 Sikorsky S-70B-6 Aegean Hawk.

Programmes: Decision to buy four Meko 200 Mod 3HN announced on 18 April 1988. West German Government 'offset' of tanks and aircraft went with the sale, and the electronics and some of the weapon systems secured through US FMS credits. The first ship ordered 10 February 1989 built by Blohm + Voss, Hamburg and the remainder ordered 10 May 1989 at Hellenic Shipyards, Skaramanga. Programme was delayed by financial problems at Hellenic Shipyards in 1992 and some of the prefabrication of Spetsai was done in Hamburg.

Structure: The design follows the Portuguese 'Vasco da Gama' class. All steel fin stabilisers.

Operational: Aegean Hawk carried from 1995.

Displacement, tons: 3,050 standard; 3,630 full load
Displacement Full Load (tonnes): 3688
Displacement Standard (tonnes): 3098.8
Length (m): 130.5
Beam (m): 14.6
Draught (m): 6.2
Range (nm): 4700
Speed (knots): 30

Dimensions, feet (metres): 428 × 47.9 × 20.3 (screws) (130.5 × 14.6 × 6.2)
Main machinery: COGOG; 2 RR Olympus TM3B gas turbines; 50,880 hp (39.7 MW)sustained; 2 RR Tyne RM1C gas turbines; 9,900 hp (7.4 MW) sustained; 2 shafts; acbLIPS cp props
Speed, knots: 30. Range, miles: 4,700 at 16 kt
Complement: 176 (17 officers)

Missiles: SSM: 8 McDonnell Douglas Harpoon (2 quad) launchers; active radar homing to 130 km (70 n miles) at 0.9 Mach; warhead 227 kg.
SAM: Raytheon NATO Sea Sparrow; 24 missiles; semi-active radar homing to 14.6 km (8 n miles)at 2.5 Mach; warhead 39 kg.  Portable Redeye; shoulder-launched; short range.

Guns: 1 or 2 (450, 451) OTO Melara 3 in (76 mm)/62 compact; 85 rds/min to 16 km (8.6 n miles) anti-surface; 12 km (6.5 n miles)anti-aircraft; weight of shell 6 kg.
    1 or 2 (450, 451) GE/GD Vulcan Phalanx 20 mm Mk 15 6-barrelled; 3,000 rds/min combined to 1.5 km. One mounting only on hangar roof in F 459-462.

Torpedoes: 4-324 mm Mk 32 (2 twin) tubes. 16 Honeywell Mk 46 Mod 5; anti-submarine; active/passive homing to 11 km (5.9 n miles)at 40 kt; warhead 44 kg. Can be fitted.

Countermeasures: Decoys: 2 Loral Hycor Mk 36 SRBOC chaff launchers.
ESM: Elettronika Sphinx and MEL Scimitar; intercept.
ECM: ELT 715; jammer.

Combat data systems: Signaal SEWACO II action data automation; Links 10, 11 and 14.

Radars: Air search: Signaal LW08; D-band; range 264 km (145 n miles) for 2 m² target.
Surface search: Signaal ZW06; I-band.
Fire control: Signaal WM25; I/J-band; range 46 km (25 n miles).  Signaal STIR; I/J/K-band; range 39 km (21 n miles) for 1 m² target.

Sonars: Canadian Westinghouse SQS-505; hull-mounted; active search and attack; 7 kHz.

Helicopters: 2 AB 212ASW.

Programmes: A contract was signed with the Netherlands on 15 September 1980 for the purchase of one of the 'Kortenaer' class building for the Netherlands' Navy, and an option on a second of class, which was taken up 7 June 1981. A second contract, signed on 9 November 1992, transferred three more of the class. Recommissioning dates for the second batch are Aegeon 14 May 1993, Adrias 30 March 1994 and Navarinon1 March 1995. Kountouriotis, the sixth ship to transfer, recommissioned on 15 December 1997, Bouboulina, the seventh, on 14 December 2001, Kanaris, the eighth was recommissioned in November 2002 and Themistoklis the eighth was recommissioned in 24 October 2003.


Modernisation: The original plan was to fit one Phalanx CIWS in place of the after 76 mm gun but for Gulf deployments in 1990-91 the gun was retained in 450 and 451 and two Phalanx fitted on the deck above the torpedo tubes. Corvus chaff launchers replaced by SRBOC (fitted either side of the bridge). The second batch of four ships were to be similarly modified but the original plan of one Phalanx vice the after 76 mm has been used as a cheaper alternative. An upgrade programme for these ships is planned to be completed by the end of 2006 but details have yet to be finalised. Modernisation is likely to focus on sensors, the combat data system and communications. The Phalanx system may be upgraded to RAM and flight decks may be strengthened to receive Aegean Hawks.

Structure: Hangar is 2 m longer than in Netherlands' ships to accommodate AB 212ASW helicopters.

Displacement, tons: 359 standard; 425 full load (P 20-23) 329 standard; 429 full load (P 24-29)
Displacement Full Load (tonnes): 431.8
Displacement Standard (tonnes): 364.7
Length (m): 56.2
Beam (m): 8
Draught (m): 2.1
Range (nm): 700
Speed (knots): 36


Dimensions, feet (metres): 184 × 26.2 × 7 (56.2 × 8 × 2.1)

Main machinery: 4 MTU 20V 538 TB92 diesels; 17,060 hp(m) (12.54 MW) sustained; 4 shafts (P 20-23)
    4 MTU 20V 538 TB91 diesels; 15,360 hp(m) (11.29 MW) sustained; 4 shafts (P 24-29)

Speed, knots: 36 (P 20-23); 32.5 (P 24-29).

Range, miles: 700 at 32 kt; 2,700 at 15 kt

Complement: 42 (5 officers)

Missiles: SSM: 4 Aerospatiale MM 38 Exocet (P 20-P 23); inertial cruise; active radar homing to 42 km (23 n miles) at 0.9 Mach; warhead 165 kg.
    6 Kongsberg Penguin Mk 2 Mod 3 (P 24-P 29); inertial/IR homing to 27 km (15 n miles)at 0.8 Mach; warhead 120 kg.

Guns: 2 OTO Melara 3 in (76 mm)/62 compact; 85 rds/min to 16 km (8.6 n miles) anti-surface; 12 km (6.5 n miles) anti-aircraft; weight of shell 6 kg.
    4 Emerson Electric 30 mm (2 twin); multipurpose; 1,200 rds/min combined to 6 km (3.2 n miles); weight of shell 0.35 kg.

Torpedoes: 2-21 in (533 mm)aft tubes. AEG SST-4; anti-surface; wire-guided; active homing to 12 km (6.5 n miles) at 35 kt; passive homing to 28 km (15 n miles) at 23 kt; warhead 250 kg.

Countermeasures: Decoys: Wegmann chaff launchers.
ESM: Thomson-CSF DR 2000S; intercept.

Weapons control: 2 CSEE Panda optical directors for 30 mm guns. Thomson-CSF Vega I or II system (P 20-P 23). NFT PFCS-2 (P 24-P 29).

Radars: Surface search: Thomson-CSF Triton; G-band; range 33 km (18 n miles) for 2 m² target.
Navigation: Decca 1226C; I-band.
Fire control: Thomson-CSF Castor II; I/J-band; range 31 km (17 n miles) for 2 m² target.
    Thomson-CSF Pollux; I/J-band; range 31 km (17 n miles) for 2 m² target.

Programmes: First four ordered in September 1974. Second group of six ordered 1978.

Modernisation: P 24-29 upgraded to fire Penguin Mk 2 Mod 3 missiles.

Structure: First four fitted with SSM Exocet; remainder have Penguin.

Operational: P 25 sunk after collision with a ferry in November 1996.