Sa'ar 5-class corvette

The Sa'ar 5-class corvettes cruise off the shore of Israel during a training exercise
Class overview
NameSa'ar 5 class
BuildersNorthrop Grumman by Ingalls Shipbuilding
Operatorslist error: mixed text and list (help)
 Israeli Navy
Preceded bySa'ar 4.5 class
Succeeded bySa'ar 6 class
Cost$260 million each[1]
In serviceFrom 1 February 1993
Completed3
Active3
General characteristics
TypeCorvette
Displacement
Length85.64 m (280.97 ft)
Beam11.88 m (38.98 ft)
Draft3.45 m (11.32 ft)
Propulsion
Speed
Range3,500 nautical miles (6,500 km)
Complement
  • 64 officers and crewmen
  • 10 aircrew
Sensors and
processing systems
AAW & SuW:

EL/M-2258 ALPHA rotating AESA S-band multifunction radar (upgrade version for Eilat & Hanit)

EL/M 2248 MF-STAR fixed 4-faced AESA S-band multifunction radar (upgrade version for Lahav)[2]

Elta EL/M-2221 fire-control radar

Elta EL/M-2218S air search radar (removed)

ASW:

EDO Type-796 hull-mounted sonar

Rafael towed sonar array
Electronic warfare
& decoys
ArmamentMissiles:

2 x quad launchers for Harpoon anti-ship missiles

1 x 32-cell vertical launching system for Barak surface-to-air missiles

Guns:

1 x 20mm (0.8 in) Phalanx CIWS

2 x 25mm (0.98 in) Typhoon Weapon Station [formerly occupied by 2 x 20mm (0.8 in) autocannons]

Torpedoes: 2 x 324mm (12.75 in) Mark 32 torpedoes

Aircraft: 1 helicopter

Sa'ar 5 (Hebrew: סַעַר, lit.'storm') is a class of Israeli Navy corvettes. They were Israeli designed using lessons learned from the Sa'ar 4.5-class missile boats. Three Sa'ar 5 ships were built by Huntington Ingalls Industries (formerly Litton-Ingalls Shipbuilding Corporation of Pascagoula, Mississippi) for the Israeli Navy, based on Israeli designs.

They were the largest surface warships in Israel's surface naval fleet, although the Sa'ar 6-class corvette now being deployed are considerably larger. Although classified as "corvettes" due to their small size, only 71 crew, and limited loiter time, their weaponry are almost comparable to that of a frigate. They are equipped with sonar, 2 triple torpedoes, 2 quadruple missile launchers, electronic warfare capabilities and decoys, a Close-in weapon system, 2 autocannons and a helipad and helicopter hangar.[3]

The first of class, INS Eilat, was launched in February 1993, followed by INS Lahav in August 1993 and INS Hanit in March 1994.

  1. ^ "Sons of Saar? Israels Next Generation Frigates".
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference mfstar was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ "21st Century Frigates Today". G2mil.com. Retrieved 17 July 2015.