Azov-class Patrol Ship
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| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Azov class |
| Builders: |
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| Operators: |
 Dniegua |
| Cost: | $10,000,000 URD |
| In service: | 2002-current |
| Planned: | As ordered |
| Building: | 2 |
| Completed: | 34 |
| Active: | 34 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Offshore patrol vessel |
| Displacement: | 358 tons full load |
| Length: | 42 metres |
| Beam: | 7.5 metres |
| Draught: | 2.2 meters |
| Propulsion: | x2 E-722 Friedrichshafen Diesels developing 2,240 ShP |
| Speed: | 16-22 knots |
| Range: | 1100 nautical miles (1265 miles, 2035km)at 16 knots |
| Endurance: | 18 days |
| Boats & landing craft carried: | x4 Speed Boats |
| Complement: | Three officers and 52 men |
| Sensors and processing systems: |
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| Electronic warfare & decoys: |
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| Armament: |
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The Azov class is a series of medium sized coastal and deep water patrol ships. Designed originally for a competition within Dniegua for a next generation patrol boat, the Assegai eventually won the contract. However, a competitor ship, the Lancer class was also adopted in a similar role. The ships today operate together in surface units of three: Two Azov to every Lancer.
The Azov is well armed for a ship of its size. In Dnieguan service, the Azov primarily protects OSEN Economic Trade interests from piracy, though they have been used for minor surface combat.
The Azov is unique in that it is equipped with a pair of launching/receiving winches and a small internal bay. These are used to launch and recover up to four Pennington Marine Atlatl-Class Speed Boats. It is for this reason that it is sometimes called a Mother Ship.
Design and Development
The Azov is a relatively small hull design with moderately powerful engines, which drive two propeller shafts. Developed to be a cost effective ship, the Azov has a low market cost compared to other war ships that are similarly armed or advanced, though the ship lacks armor or speed compared to these ships.
A somewhat unconventional hull material and design offers a reduces Radar Cross section of the ship. While not stealth, it is reported that the ship often breaks up under radar sweeps, making it appearing to be several smaller ships, or have the radar cross section of a smaller ship. However, more modern ship radar and powerful land based, or large ship based radars have been able to identify the Assegai readily.
Electronics and Armament
The ship is considered to be highly advanced. Electronic countermeasures, excellent radar and gun control systems, and other high end software systems from defense technologies company Scantronic provide the ship with more processing power and a high level of automation. The advanced radar is able to track surface contacts, airborne contacts, and, with data links from other ships, track submarines at distances its relatively weak sonar can not.
The radar suites may also track sub-sonic Anti Shipping missiles. The Radar controlled 20mm gun may then engage the missile with radar guided rounds. Though not a Close In Weapon System, and thus having its limitations, the system has destroyed two Anti-shipping missiles in its lifetime.