1967 LUTJENS. Named after Admiral Gunther Ltjens, commander of the German fleet from 1940, the LOtjens was the leader of a class of three ships that were versions of destroyers built for the US Navy.
AMERICAN ASSISTANCE
The three Type 102B destroyers of the Ltjens class were based closely on later units of the US Navys Charles F Adams class. They look a little different in having side-vent funnels and different masts. The lead ship was laid down at Bath Iron Works on 1 March 1966, launched on 11 August 1 967 and commissioned into the Bundesmarine on 22 March 1969. Molders was commissioned six months later, and Rom me/in May 1 970. They displace 4720 tons at deep load (3370 tons standard).
ARMAMENT AND SYSTEMS
The ships of the Lutjens class mount two 5in (127mm) Mk 16 rapid-fire guns in turrets fore and aft, but their main armament consists of guided weapons. Originally they mounted Tartar surface-to-air missiles (SAMs), but during a major modernisation programme undertaken at Kiel throughout the mid-i 980s, all received Mk 13 launchers for Standard SAMs and Harpoon anti-ship missiles in their place. They also carry tubes for 12.75in (324mm) lightweight anti-submarine torpedoes and launchers for ASROC anti-submarine rockets. Among their sensors are surface search and air search radars.
TECHNICAL DATA
Type: Guided-missile destroyer
Machinery: 2-shaft General Electric geared turbines, del. 70,000shp
Dimensions: Length, 134.4m (441.25ft); beam, 14.4m (47.25ft)
Draught: 4 (14.75ft)
