Alta-class minesweeper

	Norwegian Alta-class minesweeper Rauma (M352)
Class overview
Name	Alta class minesweeper
Builders	Kvaerner Mandal, Mandal, Norway
Operators	Royal Norwegian Navy
In commission	1996–present
Completed	5
Active	2
Lost	1
Retired	2
General characteristics
Type	Minesweeper
Propulsion	list error: <br /> list (help); 2 × 2.7 MW (3,621 hp) MTU 12V 396 TE84 diesel engines; 2 × Kvaerner water jets
Speed	Over 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph)
Range	1,500 mi (2,400 km)
Sensors &; processing systems	list error: <br /> list (help); Oropesa mechanical sweep; Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (KDA) Agate (Air Gun and Transducer Equipment) acoustic minesweeping system; Elma magnetic sweepers
Armament	list error: <br /> list (help); 1 × Sadral surface-to-air missile system; 1 or 2 × Rheinmetall 20 mm AA guns; 2 × 12.7 mm machine guns

The Alta class minesweeper is a ship class of minesweepers operated by the Royal Norwegian Navy. An almost identical class of minehunters is known as the Oksøy class.

The Alta class was built by Kvaerner Mandal during 1996 and 1997, while the related Oksøy class was built in 1994 and 1995. A total of 9 vessels were built, 5 minesweepers and 4 minehunters. HNoMS Orkla was completely destroyed in a fire, and HNoMS Oksøy was damaged when it ran aground in 2005. The pair, along with HNoMS Glomma, are no longer in active service. The catamaran hull is built in a fibre-reinforced plastic sandwich of very low magnetic signature.^[2]

Two large fans located on each side create an air cushion between the two hulls and a front and aft rubber skirt, lifting the vessel, giving small drag and a high cruise speed, as well as low susceptibility to the shock of exploding mines since only a small portion of the hull is actually exposed in the water. Propulsion by water jet, again one in each hull, gives a low acoustic signature. A degaussing system gives the vessels extremely low electromagnetic signature.

References

^ "Oksoy and Alta Class Minesweepers and Minehunters - Naval Technology". naval-technology.com. Archived from the original on 17 March 2010. Retrieved 2 March 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
^ "Kongsberg to Supply MINESNIPER Mk III Mine Disposal Weapon System to Royal Norwegian Navy". September 20, 2013.

External links

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[1] "Oksoy and Alta Class Minesweepers and Minehunters - Naval Technology". naval-technology.com. Archived from the original on 17 March 2010. Retrieved 2 March 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

[2] "Kongsberg to Supply MINESNIPER Mk III Mine Disposal Weapon System to Royal Norwegian Navy". September 20, 2013.

[Navy-3] In English, the Royal Norwegian Navy is the larger military branch that includes both the Coast Guard and the Navy Fleet. However, in Norwegian, the larger branch is called the Sea Defence, and the term Navy refers to the Navy Fleet.

[ELINT-4] Unarmed intelligence vessels. The Norwegian Intelligence Service is not a part of the Royal Norwegian Navy, but they both answer to the Chief of Defence.

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