1968 ROMMEL. One of a group of three guided-missile destroyers built in the USA for the Federal German Navy in the latter half of the 1960s to the pattern of the later Charles F Adams class, and known in Germany as the Ltjens class.
THE LUTJENS CLASS
The three German Type 103 destroyers were almost identical to the American ships (and those built for the Royal Australian Navy) save in the design of their funnels, which were macks (combined masts and stacks) with side outlets. All were built by Bath Iron Works. Rommel (D 1 87) was laid down on 22 August 1967, launched on 1 February 1969 and completed on 2 May 1970. She was refitted extensively in 1984-85. She was scheduled to stay in commission until 2002.
ARMAMENT AND SYSTEMS
Originally armed as the American ships, the Molders carried single 5in (127mm) fully automatic guns in turrets fore and aft and Tartar surface-to-air missiles, together with six 1 2.75in (324mm) tubes for Mk 46 lightweight anti submarine torpedoes. Her missile armament was upgraded during her refit to include Standard SM-i SAM and Harpoon SSMs a total capacity of 32 and eight, respectively as well as ASROC ASMs. In 1996 she received two RAM (Rolling Airframe Missile) close-quarters SAM launchers. Unlike most other German warships of the period she was fitted with American sonar and radar equipment. Her four boiler/two turbine powerplant which was modified to burn light oil in the late 1 970s gave her a useful top speed of something over 36 knots (67km/h).
TECHNICAL DATA
1 Guided-missile destroyer
Machinery: 2-shaft turbines producing a total of 70,000shp
Dimensions (overall): Length, 134Am (441 .25ft); beam, 1 4.4m (47.25ft)
Displacement: 3370t standard; 4720t deep load
Draught: 4.5m (14.75ft)
Complement: 333
Speed: 36 knots (67km/h)
