Horizon class Anti-air warfare destroyer

[Zarvan]

Horizon class
The Horizon class destroyers were jointly developed by France and Italy



Country of origin France / Italy
Entered service 2007
Crew 180 men
Sea endurance ?
Dimensions and displacement
Length 152.87 m
Beam 20.3 m
Draught 5.4 m
Displacement, standard ?
Displacement, full load 7 770 tons
Propulsion and speed
Speed 29 knots
Range 13 000 km at 18 knots
Propulsion CODOG propulsion with 2 x diesel engines (5 875 shp each) and 2 x gas turbines (31 280 shp each)
Airwing
Helicopters 1 x NH90 or AW101
Armament
Artillery 2 x 76-mm guns (France), 3 x 76-mm guns (Italy), 2 x 20-mm cannons (France), 2 x 25-mm cannons (Italy)
Missiles 48-cell VLS for Aster-15 and Aster-30 air defense missiles, 8 x MM.40 Exocet (France) or Teseo Mk.2A (Italy) anti-ship missiles, launcher with Mistral missiles (France)
Torpedoes 2 x twin launchers for MU90 lightweight torpedoes


The Project Horizon started life in 1992 as a cooperative Anglo-Franco-Italian development. In Italy it was known as Project Orizzonte, which translates as "horizon". An international joint venture company was established in 1995 to produce the new warships. However due to differing national requirements this initiative was beset with delays and arguments. The Royal Navy wanted a larger destroyer, which would operate in the Atlantic ocean, could patrol large areas and provide air defense for the fleet. On the other hand France and Italy desired for smaller and less capable warships to operate in the Mediterranean region. Also there were workshare arguments. In 1999 the United Kingdom left the project. France and Italy continued development on their own. In 2000 a contract was signed to jointly produce 4 ships, two for each country. Originally four more ships were planned, tow for each country. But eventually these were never ordered.
Italy ordered Andrea Doria and Caio Duilio. The first one was commissioned in 2007. It reached full operational capability in 2008. The second ship followed in 2009. These replaced two Audace class destroyers. Both of these ships were built in Italy.

France ordered Forbin and Chevalier Paul. The first one was commissioned in 2008 and the second followed in 2009. These replaced Suffren class carrier escorts. Both of these ships were built in France.
Eventually the Royal Navy developed its equivalent - the Daring class destroyers. These have many similarities with the Horizon class ships. The lead ships was commissioned in 2009. Royal Navy operates a total of 6 of these anti air warfare destroyers. These are the largest surface combatants operated by the Royal Navy since World War II.

The Horizon class ships are officially referred as frigates. However considering their size and powerful armament these ships are clearly destroyers. These are called frigates purely for political reasons. These vessels have enhanced stealth features with significantly reduced radar cross section and noise levels.

The main radar is the EMPAR phased array multi-purpose radar. It detects air targets and provides tracking for the missiles.

The Horizon class destroyers are fitted with a 48-cell Vertical Launch System (VLS) for a mix of Aster-15 (range 30 km) and Aster-30 (range 120 km) surface-to-air missiles.

Anti-ship capability comes from two quadrupple launchers. French warships are armed with MM.40 Exocet anti-ship missiles, while Italian warships carry OTOMAT Teseo Mk.2A anti-ship missiles. These have a range of 180 km and carry a 210 kg warhead.

The French Horizon class warships are armed with two OTO Melara 76 mm Super Rapid guns. These rapid-firing dual purpose guns can engage both surface and air targets and even act as Close-In Weapon Systems (CIWS). On French ships last ditch defense is provided by a SADRAL launcher with six Mistral short-range surface-to-air missiles. Also there are two 20-mm automatic cannons for engaging small surface targets.

On the other hand Italian warships are armed with three 76 mm rapid-firing guns. Also there are two Oerlikon 25 mm cannons for engaging small surface targets.

These destroyers are armed with 2 twin launchers for MU90 lightweight torpedoes. For defense against incoming torpedoes there are 2 launchers with SLAT anti-torpedo system.

The Horizon class destroyers can accommodate a single helicopter. It can be NH90 HFH, or AW101. It can be used for long-range anti-submarine warfare, search and rescue, utility and other roles. Aviation facilities include a flight deck and hangar.

The ships have a Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion system. For economical low-speed cruising there are uses two diesel engines, developing 5 875 shp each. For high-speed operations there are two General Electric LM2500 gas turbines, developing 31 280 shp each. These destroyers have a top speed of 29 knots (54 km/h). Maximum range is 7 000 nautical miles (13 000 km) at 18 knots (33 km/h).

Italian Navy

Name Laid down Launched Commissioned Status
Andrea Doria (D553) 2002 2005 2007
active, in service

Caio Duilio (D554) 2003 2007 2009
active, in service


French Navy

Name Laid down Launched Commissioned Status
Forbin 2002 2005
2008

active, in service

Chevalier Paul 2003 2006 2009
active, in service

Horizon Class
Anti-Air Warfare Destroyer

Horizon Class
Anti-Air Warfare Destroyer

Horizon Class
Anti-Air Warfare Destroyer

Horizon Class
Anti-Air Warfare Destroyer

Horizon Class
Anti-Air Warfare Destroyer

Horizon Class
Anti-Air Warfare Destroyer

 

[Zarvan]

Horizon Class
Anti-Air Warfare Destroyer

Horizon Class
Anti-Air Warfare Destroyer

http://www.military-today.com/navy/horizon_class.htm

 

[Muhammad Omar]

When we gonna see such Destroyers and Frigates in PN

 

[Zarvan]

When we gonna see such Destroyers and Frigates in PN

I hope to see these things soon. I think it's inevitable we need lot more ships than what we currently have and we need ships which can fire long range cruise and ballistic missiles

 

[Muhammad Omar]

I hope to see these things soon. I think it's inevitable we need lot more ships than what we currently have and we need ships which can fire long range cruise and ballistic missiles

true and with Better air defence systems

 

[f444ran]

A question though. Since this ship , primarily geared towards Anti Air, wouldn't for navies other than USN, wouldn't a well balanced frigate be better bang for buck?

 

[Penguin]

A question though. Since this ship , primarily geared towards Anti Air, wouldn't for navies other than USN, wouldn't a well balanced frigate be better bang for buck?

What makes you think the Horizon isn't well balanced? It has Exocet AShM, light ASW torpedos, ASW/ASuW helicopter. Every thing a non-AAW oriented GP version would also have. It doesn't have land-attack missiles. Then again, neither has the UKs Type 45 Daring. Nor has the Dutch LCF/7Provincien (although this has space/weight reserved for a 6th Mk41, which could hold 8 Land attack missiles Tomahawk). Nor German F124 Sachsen, nor Spanish F-100. Again, in what way is the Horizon not a balanced design?

 

[f444ran]

What makes you think the Horizon isn't well balanced? It has Exocet AShM, light ASW torpedos, ASW/ASuW helicopter. Every thing a non-AAW oriented GP version would also have. It doesn't have land-attack missiles. Then again, neither has the UKs Type 45 Daring. Nor has the Dutch LCF/7Provincien (although this has space/weight reserved for a 6th Mk41, which could hold 8 Land attack missiles Tomahawk). Nor German F124 Sachsen, nor Spanish F-100. Again, in what way is the Horizon not a balanced design?

Thanks. From my understanding(could be completely wrong),both Horizon and Daring(which would be UK version of Horizon) would primarily operate as air cover provider to their carriers or task force.Comparing this Arliegh Burke class where the weapons complement seems much more all rounded.More expensive though. Could it be due to difference in doctrine (USN and RN needs global deployment while French, Italian navy can expect friendly or allied aircover when they operate). Just checked Shivalik and Project 17A and they too seemed to have only 8 VLS for antiship/land attack role ,atleast from wiki.

Also i joined PDF to get smarter and conversations like this always make me learn. thanks

 

[Penguin]

Thanks. From my understanding(could be completely wrong),both Horizon and Daring(which would be UK version of Horizon) would primarily operate as air cover provider to their carriers or task force.Comparing this Arliegh Burke class where the weapons complement seems much more all rounded.More expensive though. Could it be due to difference in doctrine (USN and RN needs global deployment while French, Italian navy can expect friendly or allied aircover when they operate). Just checked Shivalik and Project 17A and they too seemed to have only 8 VLS for antiship/land attack role ,atleast from wiki.

Also i joined PDF to get smarter and conversations like this always make me learn. thanks

All these Euro-AAW ships are round, balanced in their sensors and armaments. It is specifically the USN that employs the significantly larger Arleigh Burkes, which uses ASROC-VL not used by European nations, various Standard missile variants not used by European nations as well as VL Tomahawk not used by most European nations (submarine launch aside). In other words, the USN has to have a ship which can accommodate a large variety of missiles and, hence, more missiles.

Indian navy ships equipped with VLS typically have 8 or 16 VL cells for anti-ship missiles and/or land-attack missiles (if 8 then likely only AShM deployed, if 16 then likely a 8+8 mix), plus in some cases seperate 3x1 or 2x2 VLs (24-32 missiles) for SAMs (Barak 1, Barak 8).

Check the French navy general purpose FREMM variant (a dedicated AAW variant called FREDA is forthcoming)

16-cell SYLVER A70 VLS for 16 × SCALP Naval land-attack cruise missiles
16-cell SYLVER A43 VLS for 16 Aster 15 missiles
8 × MM-40 Exocet block 3 anti-ship missiles
2 x double WASS B-515 launcher for MU 90 torpedoes
1 × OTO Melara 76 mm SR gun
3 × Nexter 20mm Narwhal remote weapon systems
1 × NH90

The 2 Italian variants differs
16-cell SYLVER A50 VLS for 16 Aster 15 and 30 missiles
8 × Teseo\Otomat Mk-2/A anti-ship and land attack missiles
2 x triple WASS B-515/3 launcher for MU 90 torpedoes (GP variant) OR
2 × triple WASS B-515/3 launcher for MU 90 torpedoes and 4 x Milas missiles (ASW variant)
2 × OTO Melara 76/62 mm Davide/Strales CIWS guns (ASW variant) OR
1 × Otobreda 127/64 Vulcano and 1 × OTO Melara 76/62 mm Davide/Strales CIWS gun (GP variant)
2 × Oto Melara/Oerlikon 25/80 mm remote weapon systems
2 × SH90 OR 1 × SH90 and 1 × AW101


GP variant Italy

ASW variant Italy

FREMM Alsace D657 ER FREDA AAW Frigate

PPA Multipurpose Offshore Patrol Ship by Fincantieri for Italian Navy

Fincantieri will build two PPA vessels in "Light" configuration, three in "Light Plus" configuration and two in "Full" configuration, with prices including ten years of logistic support ranging from about €430 million for the Light versions to €530 million for the Full versions.

All vessels will feature Leonardo-Finmeccanica’s 127mm and 76mm naval guns as well as 25mm and 12.7mm guns. To house the rear-facing 76mm guns on top of a hangar, the Italian group has developed a lighter version of its standard model, known as the Sovraponte.

The Light Plus and Full versions will offer Aster 15 and 30 missiles.

The Light vessels, artists impression shown, will offer an X-band AESA radar, which uses four flat panels, giving a 360-degree view housed above the bridge. The Light vessels will offer an X-band AESA radar, which uses four flat panels, giving a 360-degree view housed above the bridge. The Light Plus vessels will use a C-band radar, while the Full version will offer both C- and X-band radars, requiring eight panels to produce a single integrated radar image.

http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/naval/ships/2016/06/24/italy-navy-vessels-ppa/86338706/

 

[f444ran]

@Penguin
Thanks a ton mate. Plenty off information and after going through i understand that Arliegh Bruke are the odd one out rather than norm. Thanks for taking the time out and putting it out.

 

[Penguin]

@Penguin
Thanks a ton mate. Plenty off information and after going through i understand that Arliegh Bruke are the odd one out rather than norm. Thanks for taking the time out and putting it out.

Just having a relaxed day away from the office ...

 

[MastanKhan]

I hope to see these things soon. I think it's inevitable we need lot more ships than what we currently have and we need ships which can fire long range cruise and ballistic missiles

Hi,

Could have had them---just needed to sign up on the dotted line during the Yemen crisis.