SAS Charlotte Maxeke

SAS Charlotte Maxeke (S102) is a Heroine-class submarine, a variant of the Type 209 diesel-electric attack submarine developed by Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft (HDW) of Germany, currently in service with the South African Navy. She is named after Charlotte Maxeke, a South African religious leader and political activist.[2]

On exercise with British frigate HMS Portland in 2014
History
South Africa
NameSAS Charlotte Maxeke
NamesakeCharlotte Maxeke, a South African religious leader and political activist
OperatorSouth African Navy
BuilderHowaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft, Kiel[1]
Launched4 May 2005
Commissioned14 March 2007
Statusin active service
General characteristics
Class and typeHeroine-class submarine
Displacement1,454 t, submerged
Length62 m (203 ft)
Beam7.6 m (25 ft)
Draft5.8 m (19 ft)
PropulsionDiesel-electric, 4 diesels, 1 shaft, 6,100 shp (4,500 kW)
Speed
  • 10 knots (19 km/h), surfaced;
  • 21.5 knots (40 km/h), submerged
Range
  • 11,000 nmi (20,000 km; 13,000 mi) at 10 kn (19 km/h; 12 mph), surfaced,
  • 8,000 nmi (15,000 km; 9,200 mi) at 10 kn (19 km/h; 12 mph), snorkeling,
  • 400 nmi (740 km; 460 mi) at 4 kn (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph), submerged
Test depth500 m (1,600 ft)
Complement30
Sensors and
processing systems		Sonar: STN Atlas CSU-90; hull mounted and flank arrays

Radar: Surface search I-band

Optics: Zeiss non-hull penetrating optronic mast
Electronic warfare
& decoys		ESM: Grintek Avitronics , intercept + radar warning receiver ELINT: Saab S/UME-100 tactical electronic support measures
Armament

The sponsor of S102, Mrs. Mittah Seperepere named the submarine at a ceremony in Emden, Germany on 14 March 2007.[3]

Background

South Africa placed a contract for three Type 209/1400 submarines in July 2000 on Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft (HDW) and Thyssen Nordseewerke. The Type 209/1400 submarines replaced the French-built Daphné-class submarines, SAS Spear, SAS Assegaai and SAS Umkhonto which were decommissioned in 2003. The Heroine class are sometimes considered to be South Africa's first "true" submarines, as they were more suited to being underwater than the Daphné models.[4]

Charlotte Maxeke arrived in Simon's Town on 7 April 2006.[5]

As of 2021, Charlotte Maxeke was being refitted at the Armscor Dockyard. Funding in the amount of R189 million had reportedly been made available to ensure the completion of the refit during the 2023/24 financial year.[6]

SAS Charlotte Maxeke in 2007

Deployments
  • ATLASUR VIII - 2010 - exercises between the Brazilian, Argentinean, Uruguayan and South African defence forces.[7]
The frigate USS Stephen W. Groves participates in exercises with the SAS Charlotte Maxeke

References
  1. "Fact file: Heroine-class diesel-electric submarine | DefenceWeb". Archived from the original on 18 February 2012. Retrieved 8 May 2012.
  2. "M Lekota: Welcoming of SAS Charlotte Maxeke". www.info.gov.za. Archived from the original on 25 December 2012. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
  3. "The SA Navy Proudly Welcomes SAS CHARLOTTE MAXEKE and SAS QUEEN MODJADJI". Archived from the original on 12 February 2012. Retrieved 7 April 2013.
  4. Leon Engelbrecht (5 February 2008). "SA gets third submarine". ITweb. Retrieved 23 October 2008.
  5. "SAS CHARLOTTE MAXEKE is home at last". Archived from the original on 18 February 2015. Retrieved 8 May 2012.
  6. "Refit of SA Navy frigates and submarines stalled by lack of funding". 20 August 2021.
  7. "S.African submarine returns from exercise after 7,000 mile trip". Archived from the original on 7 January 2012. Retrieved 8 May 2012.



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