Alta-class minesweeper

	Norwegian Alta-class minesweeper Rauma (M352)
Class overview
Name	Alta class
Builders	Kvaerner Mandal, Mandal, Norway
Operators	Royal Norwegian Navy
In commission	1996–present
Completed	5
Active	2
Lost	1
Retired	1
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 is a ship class of minesweepers operated by the Royal Norwegian Navy. An almost identical class of minehunters is known as the Template:Sclass-.

Design

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. 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.^{[citation needed]}

Ships

Number	Name	Builder	Commissioned	Status
Alta class^[3]
M350	Alta	Kvaerner, Mandal	12 January 1996
M351	Otra		8 November 1996
M352	Rauma		2 December 1996
M353	Orkla			destroyed by fire on 19 November 2002
M354	Glomma		1 July 1997

Service history

Orkla was destroyed by fire on 19 November 2002.^[4] Glomma is no longer in active service.^{[citation needed]}

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.
^ Stephen Saunders, ed. (2004). Jane's Fighting Ships, 2004-2005. London: Jane's Information Group. p. 517. ISBN 0710626231.
^ "«Orkla» har kantret". Bergensavisen (in Norwegian). 26 January 2003. Retrieved 29 March 2015.

External links

This article about a specific military ship or boat of Norway is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

[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.

[3] Stephen Saunders, ed. (2004). Jane's Fighting Ships, 2004-2005. London: Jane's Information Group. p. 517. ISBN 0710626231.

[4] "«Orkla» har kantret". Bergensavisen (in Norwegian). 26 January 2003. Retrieved 29 March 2015.

[Navy-5] 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-6] 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.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[i]

[ii]