Orkan-class fast attack craft

The Orkan class or projekt 660 (NATO code: Sassnitz class) is series of three fast attack craft of the Polish Navy, in service since 1992.

Class overview
Builders
Operators Polish Navy
In service1992–present
Active3
General characteristics
TypeFast attack craft
Displacement369 tonnes
Length48.90 m (160 ft 5 in)
Beam8.65 m (28 ft 5 in)
Draft2.15 m (7 ft 1 in)
Propulsion3 diesel M520 engines 3,970 kW (5,320 hp) each
Speed36 knots (67 km/h; 41 mph)
Range3,000 km (1,600 nmi)
Complement33
Sensors and
processing systems
Armament

History

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The original project was prepared by the German Democratic Republic for its navy and was named Project 660, it also received the NATO reporting name "Sassnitz". After the Unification of Germany the unfinished hulls were bought by the Polish Navy from VEB Peenewerft shipyard in Wolgast and successfully completed by Northern Shipyard in Gdańsk.

In 2006, Ministry of Defence ordered 36 RBS-15 Mk 3 anti-ship missiles to equip the ships. Since 2007, they carried RBS-15 Mk 2 missiles as interim armament.[1] RBS-15 Mk 3 missiles were first deployed in 2014.[2] Since 2015 Orkan[3] and Piorun underwent a 19-month, mid-life refit.[4]

List of ships

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Pennant
number
Name Commissioned
421 Orkan 18 September 1992
422 Piorun 11 March 1994
423 Grom 28 April 1995

The lead ship of the class is named Orkan (Polish: Hurricane), while other two ships are Piorun (Polish: Thunderbolt) and Grom (Polish: Thunderclap). Piorun and Grom were famous Polish destroyers of the Second World War. Orkan was to have been the first destroyer constructed in Poland, but her construction was interrupted by the start of the World War II.

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Citations

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  1. ^ Umowa na dostawę rakiet SAAB RBS 15 Mk3 dla Marynarki Wojennej. 18 October 2006 (in Polish).
  2. ^ Dłuższe ręce MW. 21 January 2015 (in Polish)
  3. ^ "Dwa lata na remont ORP Orkan, potem modernizacja".
  4. ^ "Nauta wyremontuje ORP Piorun".

References

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