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Frigate HMS Lowestoft (F103)

Frigate HMS Lowestoft (F103) 0Frigate HMS Lowestoft (F103) 1Frigate HMS Lowestoft (F103) 2Frigate HMS Lowestoft (F103) 3

Classification

Ship class:
Rothesay-class frigate (Type 12M frigates)
Type:
Frigate

Basic information

Operator:
Royal NavyRoyal Navy
Country of build:
Builder:
Alexander Stephens and Sons
Laid down:
Launched:
Commissioned (service):
Decommissioned (out):
Status:
Decommissioned

Ship measurements

Displacement:
2,800 t
Length:
110 m
Beam (waterline):
12 m
Draft:
5.3 m

Machine

Propulsion:
  • 2 * Babcock & Wilcox boilers
  • 2 * English Electric steam turbines
  • 2 * shafts
  • 30,000 shp (22,000 kW)
Speed:
30 knots
Range:
400 tons oil fuel; 5,200 nautical miles (9,630 km) at 12 knots (22 km/h)

Personnel

Complement:
235

Combat assets

Electronics:

As build:

  • Radar Type 293Q target indication
  • Radar Type 275 fire control on director Mark 6M
  • Radar Type 277Q height finder
  • Radar Type 974 navigation
  • Type 1010 Cossor Mark 10 IFF
  • Sonar Type 174 search
  • Sonar Type 162 target classification
  • Sonar Type 170 attack

As modified:

  • Radar Type 993 target indication
  • Radar Type 903 fire control on director MRS3
  • Radar Type 978 navigation
  • Type 1010 Cossor Mark 10 IFF
  • Sonar Type 177 search
  • Sonar Type 162 target classification
  • Sonar Type 170 attack
Armament:

As build:

  • 1 * twin 4.5in gun Mark 6
  • 1 * 40 mm Bofors gun Mark 7
  • 2 * Limbo anti-submarine mortar Mark 10
  • 12 * 21-in anti-submarine torpedo tubes (removed or never installed)

As modified:

  • 1 * twin 4.5in gun Mark 6
  • 1 * Sea Cat GWS-20 SAM
  • 2 * 20 mm Oerlikon guns
  • 1 * Limbo anti-submarine mortar Mark 10
  • 2 * 8-barrel 3in Knebworth/Corvus countermeasures launchers
Aircraft:

As modified: 1 * Westland Wasp HAS.1 MATCH helicopter

HMS Lowestoft was a Rothesay or Type 12M class anti-submarine frigate of the British Royal Navy. Lowestoft was reconstructed in the late 1960s to largely the same pattern as the third group of Leander frigates, with new radar and fire control and a hangar and pad for a Wasp helicopter for longer range, anti submarine, engagement. In the late 1970s it was converted as the prototype towed array frigate for the Royal Navy, but retained its full armament. Lowestoft was sunk as a target on 8 June 1986 by HMS Conqueror using a Tigerfish torpedo. She was the last Royal Naval target to be sunk still displaying her pennant number.

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