MINE COUNTERMEASURES VESSELS

HUNT CLASS

 

HMS Brocklesby Hunt Class Mine Countermeasures Vessel

The Hunt class is a class of thirteen mine countermeasure vessels (MCMV) of the Royal Navy. They combine the separate role of the traditional minesweeper and that of the active minehunter in one hull. They have a secondary role as fisheries patrol vessels.


All were built by Vosper Thornycroft in Woolston except HMS Cottesmore, which was built by Yarrow Shipbuilders Limited on the River Clyde. HMS Quorn was the last ship of the class launched.



At 750t displacement, 60m length, 10.5m beam and 2.2m draught, the Hunt Class are the largest warships of Glass-Reinforced Plastic (GRP) construction. The GRP construction contributes to the vessel's very low magnetic signature, which is required for mine countermeasures operations. The vessel has a crew of 45 with five officers.

The capabilities of the remaining eight vessels of the Hunt Class have been significantly enhanced by the installation of Sonar Type 2193 and the NAUTIS 3 command system. The performance of Sonar 2193 exceeds that of any other mine hunting sonar in service in the world today and is capable of detecting and classifying an object the size of a football up to 1,000 metres.
 

The vessels are equipped with two Eca PAP 104 mk3 remotely controlled mine disposal vehicles for the identification and disposal of mines. The PAP systems are accurately manoeuvred using a portable joystick control. The PAP systems has been been replaced by the Seafox C expendable mine-disposal vehicle which is effective against short and long tethered mines, proud sea-bed mines and floating mines.

The Hunt Class vessels are fitted with two 1.42MW Ruston-Paxman 9-59K Deltic diesel engines driving two shafts. The maximum speed is 17kt. A Deltic 0.582MW 9-55B diesel provides pulse generation and auxiliary power. Bow thrusters are fitted for manoeuvrability and precise station keeping. The vessels have a range of 1,500nm.
 

HUNT CLASS Specifications
Country of Manufacture United Kingdom
Number in Service 8
Crew 5 officers and 40 other rates
Armament 1 x 30mm gun plus 2 x 20mm guns
Length 57m
Beam 9.8m
Draught 2.2m
Displacement 750 tonnes
Powerplant 2 x Napier Deltic diesel
Performance 17 knots
First of Class 1979