Characteristics:
Displacement:
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5,100 tons full load
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Dimensions:
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128.92 x 15.24 x 4.42 meters (423 x 50 x
14.5 feet)
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Propulsion:
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2 shafts;
2 570 KF cruise gas turbines, 12,788 shp;
2 FT4A boost gas turbines, 51,000 shp;
29 knots
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Crew:
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285
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Aviation:
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midships helicopter deck with Beartrap;
2 CH-124 Sea King helicopters
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Hangar:
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two, each for one CH-124
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Radar:
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AN/SPQ 501 (Signaal DA-08) air/surface
search
AN/SPQ 502 (Signaal LW-08) air search
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Sonar:
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SQS-510 hull
SQS-510 VDS
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Fire Control:
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2 AN/SPG 501 (Signaal STIR 1.8)
1 LIROD (Lightweight Radar and Optronic Director)
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EW:
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SLQ-501 intercept
SLQ-503 jammer
4 6-barrelled Plessy SHIELD IR/chaff
Nulka hovering decoy system
SLQ-25 Nixie
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Armament:
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1 29 cell Mk.41 VLS (Standard SM-2MR Block
IIIA)
1 76mm/62 OTO Melara (Super Rapid) DP gun
.50 calibre machine guns
1 20 mm Phalanx CIWS Mod 1B (upgrade to mod 1B in progress)
2 triple Mk.32 12.75 inch torpedo tubes firing Mk.46 Mod 5 torpedoes.
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Ships:
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Name
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Pendant
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Commissioned
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TRUMP
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Paid Off
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Homeport
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IROQUOIS
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280
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29/07/72
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03/07/92
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Halifax
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HURON
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281
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16/12/72
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25/11/94
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31/03/05
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Esquimalt, laid up.
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ATHABASKAN
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282
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30/09/72
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04/06/94
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Halifax
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ALGONQUIN
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283
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03/11/73
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11/10/91
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Esquimalt
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Notes:
These destroyers were all launched in the early 1970's,
primarily as anti-submarine destroyers. The first Canadian
warships (other than
AORs) to carry multiple helicopters, they were also the first ships to
be
powered entirely by gas turbines in a COGOG (COmbined Gas Or Gas)
arrangement. Well suited to sea conditions in the North Atlantic, they
made very effective anti-submarine platforms.
During the late 80's and early 90's, they underwent major refits under
TRUMP (Tribal Class Update and Modernization Program) and emerged as
area air defence destroyers. TRUMP saw the "playboy bunny" funnels
replaced with a single large funnel, the addition of new search and
fire control radars, the replacement of the old 5" gun with a new 76mm
one, the addition of a
Mk.41 VLS, and other changes. Although hampered slightly by the lack of
a
3D radar (cut as a cost saving measure), it is nevertheless reported
that
they can shoot down any aircraft within 50 nautical miles with their
Standard
SM-2 (MR) missiles. Though greatly improved, it should be noted that
TRUMP
was a stopgap measure only, and these ships are not in serious
competition
with purpose-built AAW ships such as the USN's Arleigh Burke (DDG 51)
class.
More recent sonar upgrades ensure continued ASW abilities.
Currently, it looks as though these ships will not be replaced in a
timely manner when they are paid off, which will leave the Navy without
any long range air defence capability. Due to manpower shortages, HMCS
HURON has been laid up on the West Coast, with minimal crew on board.
She did not receive the new communications systems fitted to the other
three ships of the class, and several systems have been removed from
her while she is laid up. HURON is scheduled to be paid off on March
31, 2005.
The Nulka hovering decoy system has been fitted to two ships of
the class; presumably these two mounts will be rotated to ensure that
ships
on active duty are fitted. IROQUOIS and ALGONQUIN have deployed to
support
Operation Apollo in the North Arabian Sea. ATHABASKAN underwent a refit
during late 2001 / 2002, and is now (2004/05) back in service. IROQUOIS
was
completing a refit during the summer of 2005. Although these ships
should
probably be replaced by 2010, they are currently not slated to be
replaced
until 2017, and will be kept in service until that date if it is
feasible.
These ships will not receive the new Cyclone helicopters, and will
continue
to operate Sea Kings as long as they are available.
Take a tour
of an IROQUOIS class destroyer.
Photos:
(click on the thumbnails to access larger images)
All photos by Sandy McClearn, unless otherwise noted.
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IROQUOIS
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Notes:
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1.IROQUOIS lies alongside at
HMC Dockyard. (2004)
2. IROQUOIS several days prior to leaving for Operation Apollo, in the
Persian Gulf.
3. IROQUOIS silhouetted against the sun, while departing for Operation
Apollo.
4. IROQUOIS leaves Halifax Harbour, with Sea King 401 in the
background. This same Sea King would later crash on IROQUOIS' flight
deck, causing
her to return to port for several days for light repairs.
5. The crashed Sea King on IROQUOIS's flight deck. This helicopter lost
power from one engine during take-off, and the pilot was able to return
to the flight deck, although with serious consquences for the
helicopter
- only minor injuries were suffered by the crew of the helicopter and
ship.
6. IROQUOIS taken from the aft starboard quarter. The new Nulka decoy
launcher can been seen just aft of the helo deck. (2002)
7. HMCS IROQUOIS in Halifax Harbour. (04/97) Sandy McClearn photo.
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1
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2
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3
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4
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5
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6
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7
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8
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ATHABASKAN
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Notes:
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1. ATHABASKAN transitting the
narrows of Halifax Harbour. (2004)
2. ATHABASKAN recently out of refit. (November 2003)
3. ATHABASKAN undergoing a refit at the Halifax Shipyard. (2002)
4. Starboard bow of ATHABASKAN. ('96) Sandy McClearn photo.
5. ATHABASKAN entering Halifax Harbour sometime in 1997. Since these
photos were taken, a new satellite communications antenna has been
added to each forward corner of the hangar.
6. A view of ATHABASKAN from the port stern quarter.
7. ATHABASKAN departs for Operation Unison, part of the relief effort
for
the US Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina. Sandy McClearn photo.
(September 6, 2005)
8. ATHABASKAN departs for Operation Unison. Sandy McClearn photo.
(September 6, 2005)
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ALGONQUIN
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Notes:
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1. ALGONQUIN enters Halifax
Harbour after her TRUMP refit. ('91) DND Photo.
2. ALGONQUIN leading a frigate and HMCS PROTECTEUR. DND photo / MCpl
Michel Durant.
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