Gepard-class fast attack craft

The Type 143A Gepard class was a class of missile bearing fast attack craft (German: Schnellboot) and the last one in service with the German Navy before the remaining four operational ships were decommissioned on 16 November 2016. The Ghana Navy operates two such ships.

Puma
Class overview
Operators
Preceded byAlbatros class
Succeeded byBraunschweig-class corvette
In commission1982-present
Planned10
Completed10
Retired10
Preserved1
General characteristics
TypeFast attack craft
Displacement390 t (380 long tons)
Length57.6 m (189 ft)
Beam7.8 m (25 ft 7 in)
Draught2.6 m (8 ft 6 in)
Propulsion4 × diesel engines, totalling 13,235 kW (17,748 hp)
Speed40 knots (74 km/h; 46 mph)
Complement5 officers, 31 enlisted
Electronic warfare
& decoys
  • Decoy launcher HOT DOG
  • Chaff launcher DAG 2200 Wolke
Armament

It is an evolution of the Albatros class, the main difference being the replacement of the second 76 mm gun by the RAM system. The Gepard-class vessels were gradually supplemented by Braunschweig-class corvettes and later replaced completely by them.

The ships in class were named after small to medium-sized predatory animals; Gepard is German for "cheetah".

List of ships
NATO
pennant
number		 German
pennant
number		 Name Call
sign		 Commissioned Decommissioned Status
P6121S 71 GepardDRCE7 December 198212 December 2014Museum ship in Wilhelmshaven
P6122S 72 Puma DRCF17 February 198314 December 2015
P6123S 73 Hermelin DRCG28 April 198316 November 2016[1]
P6124S 74 Nerz DRCH14 July 198331 March 2012 Transferred to Ghana Navy
P6125S 75 Zobel DRCI28 September 198316 November 2016[1]
P6126S 76FrettchenDRCJ16 December 198316 November 2016[1]
P6127S 77Dachs DRCK22 March 198431 March 2012 Transferred to Ghana Navy
P6128S 78 OzelotDRCL25 May 198418 December 2014
P6129S 79 Wiesel DRCM12 July 198414 December 2015
P6130S 80 Hyäne DRCN13 November 198416 November 2016[1]

The "S" and the number are part of the ship's full name. When the ships were first commissioned, their designation included only the number; however, the crews petitioned for full names, and the decision was made to combine the original names with the additional animal name.

Since 1 July 2006, all ships had formed part of the 7. Schnellbootgeschwader (7th Fast Patrol Boat Squadron), whereas for the eight years prior the flotilla was split into (hulls S 76–S 80) 2. Schnellbootgeschwader (2nd Fast Patrol Boat Squadron), and (hulls S 71–S 75) 7. Schnellbootgeschwader. The squadron was stationed in Warnemünde, where both predecessor squadrons had been based.

  • S71 Gepard
    S71 Gepard
  • Exocet launchers onboard S74 Nerz
    Exocet launchers onboard S74 Nerz
  • RAM launcher onboard S74 Nerz
    RAM launcher onboard S74 Nerz
  • S 75 Zobel
    S 75 Zobel

Notes
  1. "Germany retires last fast attack craft". Naval Today. 16 November 2016. Retrieved 4 December 2016.

References
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