Archer-class frigate
 Type-24 Mark 2
| |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Archer-class frigate |
| Builders: | Arthuristan Dynamics |
| Operators: |
 Commonwealth Navy |
| Succeeded by: | Type-24 frigate |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Frigate |
| Displacement: | 2,700 tonnes (empty), 3,300 tonnes (full load) |
| Length: | 113.1m |
| Beam: | 12.8m |
| Draught: | 4.3m |
| Propulsion: | 3x oil-fired boilers, 2x geared steam turbines, 22,370 kilowatts (30,000 hp), 2 shafts |
| Speed: | 28kn |
| Range: | 7,400 kilometres (15 knots) |
| Armament: |
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Late-1960's
1980s
|
| Armour: | steel shrapnel sheets, kevlar spall liners |
| Aircraft carried: | 1 x Wasp or Lynx |
The Archer-class frigate was a type of anti-submarine frigate in Arthuristan service. It was introduced in the early-60's as a fast fleet escort to replace the plethora of corvettes, frigates, sloops and ships of the War Emergency Programme destroyers then remaining in service, which were approaching the end of their service lives as corner-cutting during the production process and hard use in combat wore them down. The Archer, on the other hand, was designed specifically to tackle the new types of long endurance submarines then entering into service. Its principal armament was its pair of triple-barreled Limbo ASW mortar systems, a weapon able to fire at any direction to a range far superior to the wartime Hedgehog. They were supplemented by a twin mount for 4.5 inch dual-purpose guns and additional AA armament, enabling the Archer to perform reasonably well in the convoy-escort or independent patrolling roles, away from protection conferred by carriers or heavy anti-air ships. Its ASW mortars were linked to and automatically targeted with three sonar systems: the Type 174 search, Type 162 target classification and Type 170 attack sets.
Upgrades
Archer Mod-2
By the 1960s, the advent of nuclear submarines meant that the Archer could no longer suffice as a 'jack of all trades' escort ship. With the SSN's greatly superior submerged speed compared to the old diesel submarine, frigates could no longer be counted on to run down their prey and attack them with short-ranged weaponry. The mod 2 program of the early-mid 1960s replaced many of the Archer's weapons and sensor systems. These included a Sea Cat short range surface-to-air missile system, as well as aviation facilities to support a ASW helicopter. The aircraft's hangar and helipad complex, which incorporated the ship's smoke stack, was constructed with aluminium to reduce top weight. In order to enable such a small frigate to operate its helicopter in heavy sea states, a 'Bear Trap' system was fitted. The addition of the helipad necessitated the deletion of one Limbo system. Its sonar suite was also improved.
Archer Mod-3
The mod 3 upgrade of the late-70s removed the under-performing Sea Cat system and replaced it with the far more effective Sea Wolf. Surface warfare capability was significantly enhanced by the addition of four ACM-2 Renove missiles, while two triple torpedo tubes for Mk46 or Sting Ray torpedoes replaced the Limbo ASW mortar system. The ships also gained their Type-2080/2081 towed sonars during this period.
The Archer proved to be a versatile and reliable anti-submarine/general patrol frigate. Gradually replaced by the Type 24, the last example was placed into reserve in 1990.