OVERVIEW: The Iroquois- class aka Tribal-class (TRUMP) DDG is a 2 shaft, COGOG-powered, helo-capable destroyer intended primarily for ASW and area air defense.

DETAILS: The Iroquois were designed for long-range ASW and AAW warfare. For ASW, 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. In addition to the CH-124, the class used a hull-mounted SQS-501 and SQS-505 VDS for ASW search.

Beginning in the late 80's, they underwent major refits under TRUMP (Tribal Class Update and Modernization Program), emerging as area air defence destroyers. This update removed the "playboy bunny" funnels replaced with a single large funnel. The ships also received 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 a Mk 15 CWIS. Although hampered by the lack of a 3D radar, they were claimed as capable of shooting down aircraft within 50 nautical miles with their Standard SM-2 MR SAMs. Sonar upgrades ensure continued ASW abilities. During the refits the ships were also NBC-sealed.


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). ALGONQUIN completed TRUMP modernization in 1991, IROQUOIS in 1992, and ATHABASCAN in 1994. Although HURON was intended to serve until 2015, cutbacks in the navy’s budget forced her premature retirement.


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/.