Jigs
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http://www.trdefence.com/2010/11/05/1st-milgem-corvette-nears-completion/
Turkey’s first Ada class corvette, TCG Heybeliada (F-511), is nearing completion as technicians of Turkish Navy’s Golcuk Shipyard near Istanbul are working vigorously on integrating the final pieces of sensors, weapon pods and other instruments on the new ship.
Hull of a second corvette, dubbed TCG Buyukada (F-512), is also under construction at the same shipyard. Construction of consequtive Ada class boats are planned to be handed over to privately owned shipyards.
Being the first boat of Turkey’s ostentatious Milgem (short for “Milli Gemi”, or National Ship) project, TCG Heybeliada is named after the second largest of the Princes’ Islands in the Sea of Marmara, near Istanbul. Ada class literally means “Island class” in Turkish. Milgem project was initiated on March 8, 2004 and aims to build a total of twelve indigenously designed Ada class corvettes for the Turkish Navy and also export it to both NATO and non-NATO member allied nations, such as Pakistan, with existing needs for similar platforms. Close to 60 Turkish companies are involved in the design and construction of the vessel, gaining enormous experience in warship building.
Ada class corvettes are designed primarily as ‘submarine hunters’ and the first ship features a state-of-the-art sonar array developed by state-sponsored TUBITAK (Turkish Scientific and Technologic Research Foundation) and ARMERKOM, a leading research laboratory of the Turkish Navy that specializes in marine science and designing various naval assets. Anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capability is provided by internal torpedo launchers, a Seahawk ASW helicopter, as well as modern subroc and depth charges. Nevertheless, Ada class also pack respectable anti-surface and aerial fire power courtesy of eight Harpoon missile launches, a 76mm naval cannon, a 21-cell RAM missile launcher and two STAMP remote-controlled machine guns.
SMART-S Mk2 multipurpose 3D radar from Thales provides TCG Heybeliada with a target detection and engagement capability within a radius of up to 250 kilometers. Other sensors and subsystems aboard the first ship include the GENESIS II network-centric battle management system by Aselsan, Imtech’s Unimacs 3000 platform management system, EPKIS navigation and attitute control system, an intergrated infrared signature management system, and various other sensors, antennas and transponders for electronic warfare, early warning, global navigation and secure communications purposes. Ada class can accomodate up to 118 personnel, including the crew for naval aviation operations.
There is also a spin-off of the Milgem program that seeks to develop a light weight multi-purpose frigate, dubbed the F-100 class, that features a longer hull version of the Ada class and carries the Mk. 41 vertical launch system for the added capability to launch ESSM and later on a new medium-range air defense missiles currently being developed by a consortium of Turkey’s military electronics giant Aselsan, and Roketsan, the manufacturer of Cirit laser-guided rockets and UMTAS anti-tank missiles. It is not yet clear whether the F-100 class will be built as part of the twelve boats that constitute the Milgem program or in addition to it.
TCG Heybeliada is expected to enter service on April 23rd, a national holiday in Turkey, following successful sea trials scheduled for the first quarter of 2011.
Turkey’s first Ada class corvette, TCG Heybeliada (F-511), is nearing completion as technicians of Turkish Navy’s Golcuk Shipyard near Istanbul are working vigorously on integrating the final pieces of sensors, weapon pods and other instruments on the new ship.
Hull of a second corvette, dubbed TCG Buyukada (F-512), is also under construction at the same shipyard. Construction of consequtive Ada class boats are planned to be handed over to privately owned shipyards.
Being the first boat of Turkey’s ostentatious Milgem (short for “Milli Gemi”, or National Ship) project, TCG Heybeliada is named after the second largest of the Princes’ Islands in the Sea of Marmara, near Istanbul. Ada class literally means “Island class” in Turkish. Milgem project was initiated on March 8, 2004 and aims to build a total of twelve indigenously designed Ada class corvettes for the Turkish Navy and also export it to both NATO and non-NATO member allied nations, such as Pakistan, with existing needs for similar platforms. Close to 60 Turkish companies are involved in the design and construction of the vessel, gaining enormous experience in warship building.
Ada class corvettes are designed primarily as ‘submarine hunters’ and the first ship features a state-of-the-art sonar array developed by state-sponsored TUBITAK (Turkish Scientific and Technologic Research Foundation) and ARMERKOM, a leading research laboratory of the Turkish Navy that specializes in marine science and designing various naval assets. Anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capability is provided by internal torpedo launchers, a Seahawk ASW helicopter, as well as modern subroc and depth charges. Nevertheless, Ada class also pack respectable anti-surface and aerial fire power courtesy of eight Harpoon missile launches, a 76mm naval cannon, a 21-cell RAM missile launcher and two STAMP remote-controlled machine guns.
SMART-S Mk2 multipurpose 3D radar from Thales provides TCG Heybeliada with a target detection and engagement capability within a radius of up to 250 kilometers. Other sensors and subsystems aboard the first ship include the GENESIS II network-centric battle management system by Aselsan, Imtech’s Unimacs 3000 platform management system, EPKIS navigation and attitute control system, an intergrated infrared signature management system, and various other sensors, antennas and transponders for electronic warfare, early warning, global navigation and secure communications purposes. Ada class can accomodate up to 118 personnel, including the crew for naval aviation operations.
There is also a spin-off of the Milgem program that seeks to develop a light weight multi-purpose frigate, dubbed the F-100 class, that features a longer hull version of the Ada class and carries the Mk. 41 vertical launch system for the added capability to launch ESSM and later on a new medium-range air defense missiles currently being developed by a consortium of Turkey’s military electronics giant Aselsan, and Roketsan, the manufacturer of Cirit laser-guided rockets and UMTAS anti-tank missiles. It is not yet clear whether the F-100 class will be built as part of the twelve boats that constitute the Milgem program or in addition to it.
TCG Heybeliada is expected to enter service on April 23rd, a national holiday in Turkey, following successful sea trials scheduled for the first quarter of 2011.