Ada-class corvette

Posted by: Andrei Dcs

Ada class is a class of four anti-submarine corvettes in service with the Turkish Navy.

Ada-class corvettes are the result of the MILGEM project, a Turkish national warship program to locally develop modern multipurpose corvettes and frigates for the Turkish Navy.

The four Ada class anti-submarine corvettes were part of the first phase of the MILGEM project.

All the four Ada corvettes were built between 2005 and 2019 at the Istanbul Naval Shipyard.

Displacement and dimensions of Ada-class corvettes

Ada-class corvette has a displacement of 2,400 tonnes, measuring 99.56 m (326 ft 8 in) in length.

It has a beam of 14.40 m (47 ft 3 in) and a draft of 3.90 m (12 ft 10 in).

Propulsion of Ada-class corvettes

The Ada-class corvette uses a combined diesel and gas (CODAG) configuration propulsion system having one gas turbine and two diesel engines.

Speed and range of Ada corvettes

Ada corvettes can reach a maximum speed of 30 knots (56 km/h / 35 mph).

By sailing at a constant speed of 15 knots (28 km/h / 17 mph), the Ada corvette has an operational range of 3,500 nautical miles (6,500 km / 4,000 mi).

Complement of Turkish Ada corvettes

The complement consists of 93 members including aviation officers, but Ada corvette can accommodate up to 106 persons onboard.

Units of the Ada class corvette

1. TCG Heybeliada (F-511) is the first ship of the Ada-class.

Built at the Istanbul Naval Shipyard Command, Heybeliada corvette was laid down on 26 July 2005 and launched on 27 September 2008.

TCG Heyneliada was commissioned by the Turkish Navy on 27 September 2011 receiving the pennant number F-511.

2. TCG Büyükada (F-512) is the second corvette of the Ada-class.

Büyükada was laid down on 27 September 2008, launched three years later, on 27 September 2011, and commissioned by the Turkish Navy after two years, in 2013 on the same date of 27 September.

3. TCG Burgazada (F-513), the third warship of the class was laid down on 17 December 2014.

Launched on 21 June 2016, Burgazada received the pennant number F-513 and was commissioned by the Turkish Navy on 4 November 2018.

4. TCG Kinaliada (F-514), is the fourth, and the last corvette of the Ada-class.

TCG Kinaliada, like the previous ships of the class, was built at the Istanbul Naval Shipyard Command, being laid down on 8 October 2015, and launched on 3 July 2017.

Turkish Navy commissioned TCG Kinaliada on 29 September 2019, the ship receiving the pennant number of F-514.

Sensors and processing systems installed on Ada corvettes

Ada-class corvette uses a locally developed combat management system (CMS) called G-MSYS (GENESIS MILGEM Savaº Yönetim Sistemi).

The sensors and processing systems installed consist of a SMART-S Mk2 search radar, a STING EO Mk2 weapon control system, an X-band radar, and a fire control radar.

The sonar is the locally-produced Meteksan TBT-01 Yakamoz bow-mounted sonar developed by Tubitak.

Communications systems installed onboard Ada ships include: SatCom, GPS, LAN, ECDIS/WECDIS, and Link 11/16.

The navigation system is ECPINS-W, a computerized navigation system that shows the ship’s position in real-time, facilitating precise navigation.

Ada-class also uses the ALPER LPI naval radar system for the detection of sea surface targets.

Ada uses the UniMACS 3000 integrated platform management system (IPMS).

Electronic warfare and decoys of the Ada corvettes

Ada-class corvettes are fitted with advanced electronic warfare systems and decoys including the ARES-2N SIGINT system, Laser/RF systems, ASW jammers, DG and SSTD systems.

Armament installed aboard the Ada class

Ada-class is a dedicated anti-submarine warfare corvette but it is well equipped to also fight in other battle environments.

As main naval gun, Ada corvette uses a 76 mm (3 in) Oto Melara Super Rapid gun and is also fitted with two 12.7 mm (0.50 in) ASELSAN STAMP Stabilized Machine Gun Platforms.

For naval warfare, Ada corvettes can use either eight American-made Harpoon anti-ship missiles or eight locally-developed ATMACA anti-ship missiles.

Ada is also equipped for air warfare having at disposal 21 RAM Block I anti-aircraft missiles.

The new Turkish corvettes are also equipped with two 324 mm (13 in) Mk.32 twin launchers for the Mk.46 torpedoes.

To defend against incoming torpedoes, Ada corvettes are fitted with the Sea Sentor Surface Ship Torpedo Defense System.

Aviation facilities of the Ada class corvette

Like any other modern corvette, Ada class has a helipad and a hangar capable to host a medium helicopter.

Thus, an S-70B Seahawk ASW helicopter can be operated onboard the Ada class corvettes.