Gepard-class fast attack craft
S79 Wiesel
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| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Operators: |
 German Navy
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| Preceded by: | Albatros class |
| In service: | 1982–2016 |
| In commission: | 1982–2016 |
| Planned: | 10 |
| Completed: | 10 |
| Retired: | 10 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Fast attack craft |
| Displacement: | 390 t (380 long tons; 430 short tons) |
| Length: | 57.6 m (189 ft) |
| Beam: | 7.8 m (25 ft 7 in) |
| Draught: | 2.6 m (8 ft 6 in) |
| Propulsion: | 4 × diesel engines, totalling 13,235 kW (17,748 hp) |
| Speed: | 40 knots (74 km/h; 46 mph) |
| Complement: | 5 officers, 31 enlisted |
| Electronic warfare & decoys: |
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| Armament: |
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The Type 143A Gepard class is a class of missile bearing fast attack craft (German: Schnellboot) and the only one still in service with the German Navy before the remaining four operational ships were decommissioned on 16 November 2016.
It is an evolution of the Albatros class, the main difference being the replacement of the second 76 mm gun by the RAM system. It is planned that Gepard-class vessels will gradually be supplemented by Braunschweig-class corvettes and to be replaced by a new class of corvettes in the 2020s.
The ships in class are named after small to medium sized predatory animals; Gepard is German for "cheetah".
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 a smaller (hulls S 71–S 75) 7. Schnellbootgeschwader. The squadron was stationed in Warnemünde, where both predecessor squadrons had been based.
S71 Gepard
Exocet launchers onboard S74 Nerz
RAM launcher onboard S74 Nerz
S 75 Zobel
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