IROQUOIS Class

IROQUOIS Class

(DDH) air defence/anti-submarine destroyer

IROQUOIS Class

Characteristics:

Displacement:
5,100 tons full load

Dimensions:
128.92 x 15.24 x 4.42 meters (423 x 50 x 14.5 feet)

Propulsion:
2 shafts;
2 570 KF cruise gas turbines, 12,788 shp;
2 FT4A boost gas turbines, 51,000 shp;
29 knots

Crew:
285

Aviation:
midships helicopter deck with Beartrap;
2 CH-124 Sea King helicopters

Hangar:
two, each for one CH-124

Radar:
AN/SPQ 501 (Signaal DA-08) air/surface search
AN/SPQ 502 (Signaal LW-08) air search

Sonar:
SQS-510 hull
SQS-510 VDS

Fire Control:
2 AN/SPG 501 (Signaal STIR 1.8)
1 LIROD (Lightweight Radar and Optronic Director)

EW:
SLQ-501 intercept
SLQ-503 jammer
4 6-barrelled Plessy SHIELD IR/chaff
Nulka hovering decoy system
SLQ-25 Nixie

Armament:
1 29 cell Mk.41 VLS (Standard SM-2MR Block IIIA)
1 76mm/62 OTO Melara (Super Rapid) DP gun
.50 calibre machine guns
1 20 mm Phalanx CIWS Mod 1B (upgrade to mod 1B in progress)
2 triple Mk.32 12.75 inch torpedo tubes firing Mk.46 Mod 5 torpedoes.

Ships:

Name Pendant Commissioned TRUMP
Paid Off

Homeport

IROQUOIS 280 29/07/72 03/07/92

Halifax

ATHABASKAN 282 30/09/72 04/06/94

Halifax

ALGONQUIN 283 03/11/73 11/10/91

Esquimalt

Notes:

These destroyers were all launched in the early 1970's, primarily as anti-submarine destroyers. The first Canadian warships (other than AORs) to carry multiple helicopters, they were also the first ships to be powered entirely by gas turbines in a COGOG (COmbined Gas Or Gas) arrangement. Well suited to sea conditions in the North Atlantic, they made very effective anti-submarine platforms.

During the late 80's and early 90's, they underwent major refits under TRUMP (Tribal Class Update and Modernization Program) and emerged as area air defence destroyers. TRUMP saw the "playboy bunny" funnels replaced with a single large funnel, the addition of new search and fire control radars, the replacement of the old 5" gun with a new 76mm one, the addition of a Mk.41 VLS, and other changes. Although hampered slightly by the lack of a 3D radar (cut as a cost saving measure), it is nevertheless reported that they can shoot down any aircraft within 50 nautical miles with their Standard SM-2 (MR) missiles. Though greatly improved, it should be noted that TRUMP was a stopgap measure only, and these ships are not in serious competition with purpose-built AAW ships such as the USN's Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) class. More recent sonar upgrades ensure continued ASW abilities.

Due to manpower shortages the fourth sistership, HMCS HURON, was laid up on the West Coast with minimal crew on board for several years. She did not receive the new communications systems fitted to the other three ships of the class, and she was partially cannibalized to keep her sisters operating. HURON was paid off on March 31, 2005, and was sunk as a target during an exercise in 2007.

The Nulka hovering decoy system has been fitted to two ships of the class; presumably these two mounts will be rotated to ensure that ships on active duty are fitted. IROQUOIS and ALGONQUIN have deployed to support Operation Apollo in the North Arabian Sea. ATHABASKAN underwent a refit during late 2001 / 2002, and is now (2004/05) back in service. IROQUOIS was completing a refit during the summer of 2005.

Currently, it looks as though these ships will not be replaced in a timely manner when they are paid off, which may leave the Navy without any long range air defence capability for a period of time. Although these ships should probably be replaced by 2010, they are currently not slated to be replaced until 2017, and will be kept in service until that date if it is feasible. These ships will not receive the new Cyclone helicopters, and will continue to operate Sea Kings as long as they are available.

Take a tour of an IROQUOIS class destroyer.

Photos:

(click on the thumbnails to access larger images)

All photos by Sandy McClearn, unless otherwise noted.

IROQUOIS

Notes:

1.IROQUOIS lies alongside at HMC Dockyard. (2004)
2. IROQUOIS several days prior to leaving for Operation Apollo, in the Persian Gulf.
3. IROQUOIS silhouetted against the sun, while departing for Operation Apollo.
4. IROQUOIS leaves Halifax Harbour, with Sea King 401 in the background. This same Sea King would later crash on IROQUOIS' flight deck, causing her to return to port for several days for light repairs.
5. The crashed Sea King on IROQUOIS's flight deck. This helicopter lost power from one engine during take-off, and the pilot was able to return to the flight deck, although with serious consquences for the helicopter - only minor injuries were suffered by the crew of the helicopter and ship.
6. IROQUOIS taken from the aft starboard quarter. The new Nulka decoy launcher can been seen just aft of the helo deck. (2002)
7. IROQUOIS in Halifax Harbour. (04/97) Sandy McClearn photo.
8. IROQUOIS. DND Photo, MCpl Kevin Paul.
9. IROQUOIS in drydock during a refit. (2004) Sandy McClearn photo.

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ATHABASKAN

Notes:

1. ATHABASKAN transitting the narrows of Halifax Harbour. (2004)
2. ATHABASKAN recently out of refit. (November 2003)
3. ATHABASKAN undergoing a refit at the Halifax Shipyard. (2002)
4. Starboard bow of ATHABASKAN. ('96) Sandy McClearn photo.
5. ATHABASKAN entering Halifax Harbour sometime in 1997. Since these photos were taken, a new satellite communications antenna has been added to each forward corner of the hangar.
6. A view of ATHABASKAN from the port stern quarter.
7. ATHABASKAN departs for Operation Unison, part of the relief effort for the US Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina. Sandy McClearn photo. (September 6, 2005)
8. ATHABASKAN departs for Operation Unison. Sandy McClearn photo. (September 6, 2005)
9. ATHABASKAN observes the GTS Katie as a party prepares to board from her Sea King. The GTS Katie was carrying Canadian Military equipment when her master refused to return the equipment to Canada. (2000) DND Photo by Larry Graham.
10. ATHABASKAN at sea with a German frigate in the background. (2007) DND Photo, MCpl Charles Barber.
11. ATHABASKAN leaves Halifax Harbour. (2009) Sandy McClearn photo.
12. ATHABASKAN leaves Halifax Harbour at sunrise. (2008) Sandy McClearn photo.

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ALGONQUIN

Notes:

1. HMCS ALGONQUIN enters Halifax Harbour after her TRUMP refit. ('91) DND Photo.
2. ALGONQUIN leading a frigate and HMCS PROTECTEUR. DND photo / MCpl Michel Durant.
3. ALGONQUIN departs Esqimalt. DND photo, Cpl Charles Barber.
4. ALGONQUIN fires her 76mm gun during an exercise. (2007) DND photo, MCpl Robert Bottrill.

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