Navantia starts sea trials of F-105 Cristóbal Colón frigate

Navantia

Navantia starts sea trials of F-105 "Cristóbal Colón" frigate

12/03/2012

On 12th. March, first sea trials of F-105 frigate “Cristóbal Colón” have started in the northwest coast of Spain close to the Ferrol estuary.
 These sea trials will last five days and the shipyard is testing the correct performance of the platform of the ship, including all systems such as: manoeuverability, propulsion and navigation, anchorage and mooring, emergency crafts, turbines, main engines, generators, radars and communications equipments.  The fulfillment the requirements of speed, manoeuverability and fuel consumption are also being verified.
 These first sea trials, that will be followed by a second batch of sea trials in June, are also verifying, while sailing, the performance of the AEGIS Combat System and the integration of all the Spanish CDS (Combat Direction System): radars, communications,  guns, fire control system and command & control.
 More than 200 people are participating in the sea trials, including Navantia staff, Spanish Navy, subcontractors and other technicians. The Australian personnel actually located in our Fene-Ferrol Yard is also participating in the sea trails, as part of the Air Warfare Destroyer’s training program that Navantia is providing to the AWD Alliance in charge of building these ships in Australia.
 Navantia has a contract for the design, transfer of technology and technical assistance for the construction of three AWD destroyers in Australia. Apart from that, Navantia is building several complex blocks for these ships, that will be shipped to Australia for its final assembling.
According to schedule, the destroyer “Cristobal Colon” will carry-out next June its official sea trials before commissioning by the Spanish Navy in July.

 F-105 “CRISTÓBAL COLÓN”
Main features:
- Waterline Length ............................ 133.20 m
- Full Load Displacement ...................... 6,041 t
- Full Load Draught ............................... 5.00 m
- Maximum speed ........................... 28.5 knots
- Cruising speed ................................ 18 knots
- Endurance at Cruising Speed ....... 4,500 miles
- Crew .......................................... 234 persons

Significant shipbuilding data:
- Number of compartments: 573
- Tons of Hull Steel: 2.450 t.
- Metres of cable: 315.000 m.
- Metres of piping : 37.000 m.