Spica-class torpedo boat (Sweden)

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T121 Spica.jpeg
HSwMS Spica at sea
Class overview
NameSpica class
BuildersGötaverken and Karskrona Navy Yard
Operators Swedish Navy
Built1964–1966
In service1966–1989
Completed6
Retired6
PreservedHSwMS Spica
General characteristics
TypeTorpedo boat
Displacement220 tons standard, 235 tons full load
Length42.5 m (139 ft)
Beam7.1 m (23 ft)
Draught1.6 m (5 ft 3 in)
Propulsion3 shaft, Bristol Proteus gas turbines 12,750 hp (9,510 kW), 3 CP propellers
Speed40 knots (74 km/h; 46 mph)
Complement30
Sensors and
processing systems
Radar: Scanter 009, HSA M22
Armament

The Spica class was a class of six fast torpedo boats built for the Swedish Navy in the 1960s and decommissioned in the late 1980s. One ship, HSwMS Spica, is preserved as a museum ship in Stockholm, Sweden.

History[]

The ships were ordered in 1961 as part of a re-armament programme for defending Sweden's coastline. Tenders were sought from various European boat builders in the United Kingdom, Norway and Germany including Lurssen who offered the new Jaguar-class design. The Swedes ended up designing a bespoke vessel which became the template for subsequent Swedish fast attack craft.

Design[]

The hull was made of steel, unlike some other contemporary designs which used plywood. Although the boat had a relatively small hull and displacement, this provided a stable platform. The Bridge and Operations Room were located at the rolling and stamping centre of the ship which further improved stability for the crew especially in high seas. The boats were fitted with a NBC support system where the hull could be closed down in the event of having to operate in a nuclear fall-out area.

Machinery[]

The machinery consisted of three shafts powered by British built, Bristol Proteus gas turbines. Three MTU gas turbines were also installed as auxiliary generators

Armament[]

The torpedo armament consisted of six 533 mm (21 in) torpedo tubes which were positioned at an angle. Hydrogen-peroxide propelled, wire guided torpedoes were used. The gun armament consisted of a single Bofors 57 mm gun, which was capable of firing 200 rounds per minute over an effective range of 8,500 m (27,887 ft). The gun could engage both surface and airborne targets. There were also six 57 mm (2 in) and four 103 mm (4 in) rocket launchers capable of firing chaff, infrared countermeasures and illuminating projectiles (starshell). The torpedo boats had a scanning and a fire control radar with a basic fire control computer. There were plans to replace the torpedo tubes with anti-ship missiles in the 1980s but these plans were cancelled.

Ships[]

Number Name Builder Launched Decommissioned
T121 Spica Götaverken 26 April 1966 1989 – preserved as a museum ship
T122 Sirius Götaverken 26 April 1966 July 1985
T123 Capella Götaverken 26 April 1966 1989
T124 Castor Karlskrona Navy yard 25 October 1965 July 1985
T125 Vega Karlskrona Navy yard 12 March 1966 1989
T126 Virgo Karlskrona Navy Yard 10 September 1966 1989

Twelve ships of a missile boat variant were built between 1971 and 1975 as the Norrköping class (Spica II).

Survivors[]

1 Spica-class torpedo boat is preserved as museum ship.

Surviving ships[]

Surviving parts[]

References[]

  • [1]
  • Gardiner, Robert (ed.); Chumbley, Stephen; Budzbon, Przemysław (1995). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1947–1995. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-55750-132-7. OCLC 34267261. {{cite book}}: |first= has generic name (help)
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