AL MUA’ZZAR Q32 OMAN

[john sefton]

RNOV AL MUA’ZZAR Q32 OMAN

Built by Vosper Thornycroft, Woolston, Southampton, U.K.

Laid Down: 4 – 4 –1994
Launched: 26 – 9 – 1995
Accepted: 26 – 11 – 1996

One of two sister-ships, the other being RNOV QAHIR AL AMWAJ Q 31

D: 1,185 tons (1,450 fl) S: 31 kts Dim: 83.70 (78.50 pp) × 11.50 × 3.50 (hull)
A: 8 MM 40 Exocet Block II SSM; 1 8-round Crotale NG SAM syst. (16 Crotale VT-1 missiles); 1 76-mm 62-cal. OTO Melara SuperRapid DP; 2 single 20-mm 90-cal. Oerlikon GAM-B01 AA; 2 single 7.62-mm mg
Electronics:
Radar: 1 Kelvin-Hughes Type 1007 nav.; 1 Thales MW-08 3-D surf./air search; 1 Thales Castor-IIJ MRR (TRS-5204) f.c.; 1 Thales Sting f.c.
Sonar: see remarks
EW: Thales DR-3000S1 Compact intercept (1–18 GHz); Furuno FD527 comms D/F; 2 12-round Wallop SuperBarricade decoy RL
E/O: Thales IRSCAN surveillance/tracking
M: 4 Crossley–SEMT-Pielstick 16 PA6 V280 STC diesels; 2 KaMeWa CP props; 32,000 bhp (28,160 sust.)
Electric: 1,200 kw tot. (3 × 400-kw MTU RV183 TF51 diesel-powered sets; 1 × 70-kw MTU 6V 183 AA51 diesel emergency set)
Range: 5,500/12 Fuel: 156 tons Crew: 14 officers, 62 enlisted (accomm.)
Remarks: Ordered 5-4-92. Names mean “Conqueror of the Waves” and “The Supported,” respectively. Q 31 departed for Oman 18-6-96 and Q 32 on 20-3-97. Are being operated with crews totaling around 60 each.
Hull systems: Have fin stabilizers. The aluminum alloy superstructure is shaped to reduce radar signature and has been coated with radar-absorbent materials. Stack has an infrared-suppressant system. Have a helicopter deck, but no hangar. Carry 19 tons of fresh water.
Combat systems: Have the Thales SEWACO-FD combat system (based on the TACTICOS C2 system). The Thales SINCOS communications suite is fitted. The Sting radar-E/O gun director incorporates radar, laser rangefinder, and low-light-level t.v. sensors. Planned installation of a towed active linear sonar array and two sets of ASW torpedo tubes did not take place, and the ships have no ASW capability.

Details supplied by PETER CRICHTON

[D. v. Nieuwenhuijzen]

Oman 1993, 100 b. StG.405