OVERVIEW: The Iroquois- class aka Tribal-class DDG is a 2 shaft, COGOG-powered, helo-capable destroyer intended primarily for ASW.

DETAILS: The Iroquois were designed for long-range ASW warfare, using two CH-124 Sea King helicopters. To support these large helicopters, the class had a large flight deck and a two-helicopter hangar. It also had a haul down device, allowing for helicopters landing operations in heavy seas. A passive-tank anti-rolling system was fitted to improve stability at low speeds. A distinctive feature of the design was the two paired stacks (termed "Playboy Bunny" stacks) angled outboard to avoid corrosion of antennas by stack gases.

In addition to the CH-124, the class used a hull-mounted SQS-501 and SQS-505 VDS for ASW search.

The class ships was armed with a quick-firing OTO Melara 5"/54, providing good anti-surface/naval gunfire support capability, as well as close-ranged anti-aircraft defence. Point anti-aircraft defence was provided by NATO Sea Sparrow missiles. ASW attack capability was provided by two Mk.32 triple torpedo launchers, and a single Mk.NC 10 Limbo ASW and helicopter launched torpedoes.


Specifications:

Displacement: 4,700t
Length: 128.92m
Beam: 15.24m
Draught: 4.42m
Propulsion: 2 shafts; 2x Pratt & Whitney FT12AH3 cruise gas turbines, 7400 shp; 2x Pratt & Whitney FT4A2 boost gas turbines, 50,000 shp;
Complement: 285
Speed: 29kn
Range: 4,500 nm (8,300km) @ 12kn

NOTES: IOC 1970. Units in class: IROQUOIS (DD 280), HURON (DD 281), ATHABASCAN (DD 282), ALGONQUIN (DD 283). No other ships, in any navy, used the class’s missile launcher system. The missiles would be trained outboard of the launcher (in the deckhouse forward of the bridge) on launcher arms port and starboard, with four missiles to an arm. The arms would be brought back inboard for reloading. The class successfully tied together, in a viable package, an Italian gun, American missiles, with a Dutch radar and fire control system.


SOURCES: Prezelin, Bernard. The Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World, 1990-1991. US Naval Institute Press, 1990., pg. 55-6; "Iroquois-class Destroyer." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Last modified April 16, 2022. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iroquois-class_destroyer. ;"Mackenzie Class Destroyer Escort DDE Royal Canadian Navy." Seaforces Online - Naval Information. Accessed April 30, 2022. https://www.seaforces.org/marint/Canadian-Navy/Destroyer/Iroquois-class.htm. ;
McClearn, Sandy. "IROQUOIS Class." Haze Gray & Underway - Naval History and Photography. Accessed April 30, 2022. https://www.hazegray.org/navhist/canada/postwar/tribal/.