Leopard-class frigate

Leopard class
HMS Jaguar
Class overview
NameLeopard class or Type 41
Operators
Built1953–1960
In commission
  • 1957–1982 (British service)
  • 1958–1992 (Indian service)
  • 1978–2013 (Bangladesh service)
Planned5 British & 3 Indian
Completed4 British & 3 Indian
Cancelled1 British
Retired7
General characteristics
TypeAir-defence frigate
Displacement
  • 2,300 long tons (2,337 t) standard
  • 2,520 long tons (2,560 t) full load
Length340 ft (100 m) o/a
Beam40 ft (12 m)
Draught16 ft (4.9 m)
Propulsion
  • 8 × Admiralty Standard Range ASR1 diesels, 14,400 shp (10,738 kW), 2 shafts
  • 220 tons oil fuel[1]
Speed24 knots (28 mph; 44 km/h)
Range7,500 nmi (13,900 km) at 16 kn (30 km/h)
Complement205 or 235
Sensors and
processing systems
  • Type 960 air search radar, later;
  • Type 965 AKE-1 air search radar
  • Type 293Q target indication radar, later;
  • Type 993 target indication radar
  • Type 277Q height finding radar
  • Type 974 navigation radar
  • Type 275 fire control radar on director Mark 6M
  • Type 262 fire control radar on director CRBF
  • Type 262 fire control radar on STAAG mount
  • Type 1010 Cossor Mark 10 IFF
  • Type 174 search sonar
  • Type 164 attack sonar
Armament

The Type 41 or Leopard class were a class of anti-aircraft defence frigates built for the Royal Navy (four ships) and Indian Navy (three ships) in the 1950s.[2][3] The Type 41, together with the Type 61 variant, introduced diesel propulsion into the Royal Navy, the perceived benefits being long range, low fuel use, reduced crew (especially skilled artificers), and reduced complexity.

Although successful, improvements in traditional steam turbine technology erased the fuel economy advantage of the diesel powerplants and led to production being curtailed in favour of the Type 12 frigate, which was similar in overall design.

  1. ^ Gardiner, p. 156
  2. ^ Purvis, M.K., 'Post War RN Frigate and Guided Missile Destroyer Design 1944-1969', Transactions, Royal Institution of Naval Architects (RINA), 1974
  3. ^ Marriott, Leo, 'Royal Navy Frigates Since 1945', Second Edition, ISBN 0-7110-1915-0, Published by Ian Allan Ltd (Surrey, UK), 1990