Ensdorf-class minesweeper
 |
| Ensdorf class minesweeper | |
|---|---|
 M1098 Siegburg, at the Kiel Week 2007 | |
| General characteristics | 
|
| Displacement: | 650 tonnes |
| Length: | 54.40 m |
| Beam: | 9.20 m |
| Draft: | 2.84 m |
| Speed: | 18 knots |
| Complement: | 45 |
The five ships of the Type 352 Ensdorf class are former Type 343 Hameln class minesweepers that have been upgraded with the TROIKA PLUS system.
The Ensdorf class have three modes to clear mine fields:
- TROIKA PLUS: This system employs up to four remote controlled Seehund (sea dog or seal) drones which perform the sweep. The drones are small unmanned boats that can simulate the acoustic and magnetic signatures of bigger ships to trigger mines. Their small size and special construction let them survive the effects of exploding mines unharmed.
- Mine hunting: Mines detected with the hull-mounted sonar can be identified and exploded with expendable Seefuchs (SeaFox) ROVs.
- Classical minesweeping: Against moored mines the classical minesweeping using towed wire cutters to cut the anchors of mines can be conducted.
The Ensdorf class replaced the Type 351 Lindau class minesweepers in service with the German Navy.
Specifications
- Propulsion:
- 2 MTU 16V 538 TB91 diesel engines, 2240 kW each
- 2 Renk PLS 25 gearboxes
- 2 propeller shafts driving controllable pitch propellers
- Armament:
- 2 Bofors 40mm/L70 dual-purpose gun (to be upgraded to 2 Mauser MLG27 27 mm remote-controlled autocannons)
- Fliegerfaust 2 surface-to-air missiles (MANPADS)
- Mine-laying capabilities (60 mines)
- Sensors:
- Equippement:
- Seefuchs mine hunting drones
- GPS-Navstar navigation system
- PALIS
- digital data links
- M 20/2 fire-control system
- Complement: 45
Seehund ROV
- Length: 25 m
- Displacement: 99 t
- Propulsion: Schottel Z-drive
- Max speed: 9-10 kn
Seehund can be controlled remotely or manually by an onboard crew (usually 3) for maneuvering in harbours or in training (the Seehund is too large to be carried by Ensdorf class vessels). A life raft is carried for this reason.
Ship list
| Pennant number |
Name | Call sign |
commissioned |
|---|---|---|---|
| M1094 | Ensdorf | DRFN | October 161990 |
| M1093 | Auerbach/Oberpfalz | DRFR | May 71991 |
| M1092 | Hameln | DRFO | June 291989 |
| M1090 | Pegnitz | DRFT | March 81990 |
| M1098 | Siegburg | DRFL | July 261990 |
Notes: The ship were not decommissioned for their rebuilding to Type 352, the listed dates are the ones of their commission as Type 343. Auerbach/Oberpfalz is one name.
The ships currently belong to the 5. Minensuchgeschwader (5. mine sweeper squadron) based in Kiel at the Baltic Sea.
ROVs
| Number | Commissioned | Mothership |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | May 51981 | M1092 Hameln |
| 2 | May 51981 | M1092 Hameln |
| 3 | May 51981 | M1092 Hameln |
| 4 | March 41982 | M1093 Auerbach/Oberpfalz |
| 5 | March 41982 | M1093 Auerbach/Oberpfalz |
| 6 | March 41982 | M1093 Auerbach/Oberpfalz |
| 7 | September 171981 | M1098 Siegburg |
| 8 | September 171981 | M1098 Siegburg |
| 9 | September 171981 | M1098 Siegburg |
| 10 | November 111981 | M1098 Siegburg |
| 11 | November 111981 | M1092 Hameln |
| 12 | November 111981 | M1090 Pegnitz |
| 13 | May 241982 | M1090 Pegnitz |
| 14 | May 241982 | M1090 Pegnitz |
| 15 | May 241982 | M1090 Pegnitz |
| 16 | November 71983 | M1094 Ensdorf |
| 17 | November 71983 | M1094 Ensdorf |
| 18 | November 71983 | M1094 Ensdorf |
The Seehunde are taken over from the 6 decommissioned Type 351 class, which means that they are older than their motherships.
See also