Ula class submarine
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|
| Career |  |
|---|---|
| Shipbuilder: | Kongsberg/Nordseewerke |
| Unit cost: | 700,000,000 NOK |
| Ordered: | |
| Laid down: | 1987 |
| Launched: | April 1989 |
| Commissioned: | April 1989 |
| Decommissioned: | N/A |
| Fate: | Active in service |
| General Characteristics | |
| Length: | 59 m (193.56 ft) |
| Beam: | 5.4 m (17.71 ft) |
| Draft: | 4.6 (15.09 ft) |
| Displacement: | Surfaced: 1040 tons Submerged: 1150 tons |
| Propulsion: | Diesel-electric 2×MTU 16V 396 diesel engines (970kW each) 1×electric motor, 6,000 shp |
| Complement: | About 21 men |
| Armament: | 8 bow 21" torpedo tubes 14 AEG DM2A3 torpedoes |
| Radar: | Kelvin Hughes 1007 Surface Search |
| Sonar: | Atlas Elektronik C5U83 Thomson Sintra flank array |
| Surface speed: | 11 knots (about 20 km/h) |
| Submerged speed: | 23 knots (about 42 km/h) |
| Range: | 5000 miles at 8 knots |
| Maximum depth: | 500 metres |
The Ula class is a Norwegian submarine type which was assembled in Germany in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The class, consisting of 6 vessels, is currently the only submarine type in service with the Royal Norwegian Navy.
Contents |
[edit] History
The ordering of a new Norwegian submersible design stemmed from a 1972 decision to modernize the Royal Norwegian Navy (RNoN) submarine flotilla, which then consisted of the ageing Kobben class submarines.
The construction of the vessels was an international project. The combat systems were made in Norway by Kongsberg, the attack sonar is German and the flank sonars French. The hull sections were produced in Norway, and then assembled in Germany by Thyssen Nordseewerke, Emden. In Germany, the design is known as the U-Boot-Klasse 210.
When commissioned, the Ulas were the only NATO submarines able to engage targets using only passive sensors. They were also the first Norwegian submarines with bedding for the entire crew and a shower.
The Ula class submarines are among the most silent and manoeuverable submarines in the world. This, in combination with the relatively small size, makes them difficult to detect from surface vessels and ideal for operations in coastal areas. During the annual NATO Joint Winter exercise in 2004, the HNoMS Utvær had to be disqualified from the exercise because it kept the entire landing operation at bay. The Ula class submarines are regarded as both the most effective and cost-effective weapons in the RNoN.
[edit] Missions
In recent years, several submarines of the Ula class have been deployed in the Mediterranean Sea in support of the NATO Operation Active Endeavour, where their intelligence gathering ability have surpassed expectations. Their operational availability proved to be the highest of all the ships taking part in the operation. However, this deployment has highlighted the need to make the Ula class submarines better able to keep temperatures from getting too high for the crew when operating in warm waters. As a response to this, the HNoMS Ula have now been "tropicalized" by installing new cooling systems, and two more of the class is due for "tropicalization".
[edit] Future plans
During the period 2006-2008, the Ula class will be modernized. Most notably, the submarines will get new sonars, new communication equipment (Link 11), new electronic warfare support measures and a periscope upgrade. The Ula class will probably be kept in Norwegian service until 2020. The class is likely to be succeeded by the Norwegian/Swedish/Danish collaboration project Viking.
[edit] Vessels
Six submarines were delivered (1989-1992) to the RNoN. All of them have their home base at Haakonsvern in Bergen. The boats are all named after places in Norway, with the exception of the S305, Uredd, which literally translates to "unafraid". The ship prefix for RNoN vessels is KNM (Kongelig Norsk Marine, Royal Norwegian Navy) in Norwegian, HNoMS (His Norwegian Majesty's Ship) in English.
[edit] Vessel list
| # | Name | Commissioned |
|---|---|---|
| S 300 | HNoMS Ula | 1989 |
| S 301 | HNoMS Utsira | 1992 |
| S 302 | HNoMS Utstein | 1991 |
| S 303 | HNoMS Utvær | 1990 |
| S 304 | HNoMS Uthaug | 1991 |
| S 305 | HNoMS Uredd | 1990 |
[edit] Pictures
 Uthaug of the Ula class, in the Mediterranean Sea 2002. Ship commander Aabrekk (With red cap) in the sail. Sub Leutainant Hagen and private Bjørke on the casing. |
[edit] Resources
- ↑ (Norwegian) Hvem Hva Hvor 1990, ISBN 82-516-1267-5, yearbook issued by Aftenposten
- ↑ (Norwegian) Liten undervannsbåt veltet stor flåte, Joint Winter 04
- ↑ World Navies Today: Norway, Haze Gray
- ↑ (Norwegian) Videreutvikling av ULA-klasse u-båter, Forsvarsdepartementet
- ↑ (Norwegian) Ula-klassen, Forsvarsnett
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- GlobalSecurity.org datasheet about the Ula class
- Ula model boat
- Nordseewerke's page about the Ula class
- (Norwegian) Østlandets Blad, "Fire dager i dypet"
- Dagbladet articles about the class:
- (Norwegian) "Oppdaterer ubåtene"
- (Norwegian) "Her tar den norske ubåten smuglerskipene"
- (Norwegian) "Hestehviskerne"
