 ROCNTian Dan on 24 March 2019 | |
| History | |
|---|---|
 Republic of China | |
| Name | Tian Dan (田單) |
| Namesake | Tian Dan |
| Builder | China Shipbuilding Corp.,Kaohsiung |
| Laid down | 22 February 2001 |
| Launched | 17 October 2002 |
| Commissioned | 11 March 2004 |
| Home port | Tsoying |
| Identification | Pennant number: PFG2-1110 |
| Status | in active service |
| General characteristics | |
| Class & type | Cheng Kung-classfrigate |
| Displacement | 4,103 long tons (4,169 t) full |
| Length | 453 ft (138 m) |
| Beam | 46.95 ft (14.31 m) |
| Propulsion | General Electric LM2500-30gas turbines, 41,000 shp (31,000 kW) total |
| Speed | 29knots (54 km/h; 33 mph) |
| Complement |
|
| Sensors & processing systems | |
| Electronic warfare & decoys |
|
| Armament |
|
| Aircraft carried | Sikorsky S-70C-1/2 |
| Aviation facilities | Hangar andhelipad |
ROCSTian Dan (田單,PFG2-1110) is the eighth ship of theCheng Kung-classguided-missile frigates of theRepublic of China Navy (ROCN), which was based on theOliver Hazard Perry class of theUnited States Navy.Tian Dan was intended to be the first hull of the second batch of the class, with improved armament and electronics. However, delays in the development of the weapon systems and electronics led to the second batch being cancelled. In 1999, the first ship of the second batch was re-ordered to the standard design with all the improvements to the design. The ship was constructed beginning in 2001 by theChina Shipbuilding Corporation in Taiwan and the frigate waslaunched in 2002 and entered service with the ROCN in 2004. In 2014,Tian Dan was among the Taiwanese vessels sent to assist in the search for the missingMalaysia Airlines MH370 flight.
TheCheng Kung class are based on the long-hulled version of theOliver Hazard Perry-classfrigates of theUnited States Navy but with modifications. The class was intended to be built in two batches, with Batch I built to the standard design, and Batch II constructed to an improved design, incorporating new technologies.[1] The standard initially had a lightdisplacement of 3,100long tons (3,100 t) and afull load displacement of 4,200 long tons (4,300 t). They initially measured 455 feet 5 inches (138.81 m)long overall and 413 ft 1 in (125.91 m) at thewaterline with abeam of 45 ft (14 m) and a maximumdraft of 18 ft 8 in (5.69 m). They are powered by twoGeneral Motors LM-2500gas turbines turning one shaft connected to acontrollable pitch propeller, creating 41,000shaft horsepower (31,000 kW). They also have two drop-down auxiliary propulsion units that create 720 hp (540 kW). This gives them a maximum speed of 29knots (54 km/h; 33 mph).[1] They carry 587 long tons (596 t)[2] of fuel giving them a range of 5,000nautical miles (9,300 km; 5,800 mi) at 18 knots (33 km/h; 21 mph).[1] The ships have four 1,000 kW diesel alternator sets for generating electricity. For additional stability in heavy seas, the ships havefin stabilizers. The frigates have a crew of 206 including 13 officers and an air group of 19.[2]
The frigates were initially armed with eightHsiung Feng II SSMs placed in two box launchers located atop thesuperstructure aft of thebridge. They also mounted a Mark 13 launcher for 40RIM-66 Standard MRsurface-to-air missiles.[1] They have anOTO Melara 76-millimetre (3 in)/62dual-purpose naval gun situated forward and two single-mountedBofors 40 mm (1.6 in)/L70 guns. the 40 mm guns cannot be crewed while the 76 mm gun is firing due to blast effects.[2][a] TheCheng Kung class mounts a 20 mm (0.79 in)/76Phalanxclose-in weapon system (CIWS) atop thehangar. Flanking the CIWS atop the hangar are two Type 75 20 mm/75 guns. For ASW, the frigates are armed with two triple-mounted 324 mm (12.8 in)Mk 32 torpedo tubes forMark 46 torpedoes.[2]
The ships mount SPS-55 surface searchradar, SPS-49(V)5 air search, Mark 92 fire control radar, STIR 24 missile fire control radar and Mark 90 Phalanx fire control radar. They are also equipped with DE 1160B hull-mountedsonar and are capable of using the ATAS towed passive sonar or the SQR-18A towed sonar. Forelectronic countermeasures, they mount the Chang Feng IV suite, which consists of the SLQ-32(V)5 radar warning system and the Sidekick radar jammer, and theSLQ-25 Nixie torpedo decoy system. The ships are equipped with the Prairie-Masker acoustic signature reduction system.[2] The ships came designed with a hangar and afthelicopter deck capable of operating two helicopters.[3] However, the ROCN had difficulty acquiring helicopters capable of operating from the class until they obtained theS-70C Thunderhawk helicopters from the United States. Though capable of operating two, only one is kept housed aboard the frigates. The ships use theRecovery Assist, Secure and Traverse (RAST) haul-down system for their helicopters.[1][3]
The displacement of theCheng Kung-clas frigates has varied over time. In 2009, it was reported that the vessels had a light displacement of 2,750 long tons (2,790 t) and a full load displacement of 4,105 long tons (4,171 t). Furthermore, their draft increased to a maximum of 24 ft 5 in (7.44 m).[3] This increased again by 2013, with the ships displacing 3,207 long tons (3,258 t) light with a maximum draft of 28 ft 3 in (8.60 m).[4]
TheCheng Kung class was initially fitted with eight Hsiung Feng II SSMs, instead of theHarpoon missiles that theOliver Hazard Perry class used. Ships of the class began refitting with fourHsiung Feng III (HF III) missiles, replacing four of the Hsiung Feng II missiles after the new HF III missiles entered production.[5] In addition, the ROCN ordered Harpoon missiles for use by theCheng Kungs in September 2000.[2] After the US stopped supporting the SM-1 and their associated launch system support was taken up byNCSIST which also implemented an upgrade program for the missiles. Upgrades to the SM-1 include a better rocket motor and an active seeker.[6]
The class's Mk 75 main guns have been upgraded and have an improved firing rate of 100 rounds a minute.[7]
Tian Dan was initially ordered as the first ship of the second batch of theCheng Kung class. However, the second batch was cancelled in October 1994. The ship was re-ordered from theChina Shipbuilding Corporation atKaoshuing, Taiwan, as a continuation of Batch I in January 1999, but funding for the vessel did not become available until December 2000.[8] The frigate waslaid down on 21 December 2001 and waslaunched on 15 October 2002. Named for a famous Chinese commander, the ship wascommissioned on 11 March 2004.[3] TheCheng Kung-class frigates make up the ROCN 146th Frigate Squadron.[8]
On 14 March 2014,Tian Dan, along with two of Taiwan's Coastguard patrol vessels, arrived in theSouth China Sea between Malaysia and Vietnam to join the multi-national search and rescue operation for the missingMalaysia Airlines MH370 flight.[9]
On June 11, 2018, during the Hanguang 34 exercise, the Tiandan was included in the Navy and Air Force missile shooting training mission. On July 15, the shooting detachment commander, Major General Wu Liping, led the ships to the Jiupeng Sea. Records show that at 7:07 on July 16, the captain of the Tiandan, Colonel Sun Kanghua, issued a permission to launch order. At 7:10:00, the Tiandan arrived at the launch position, heading 347 degrees T, speed 10 knots, and the target shipZhongquan Landing Ship ((LST-221)) was at 067 degrees T, 47 kilometers away, 22 degrees 05 minutes north latitude, 121 degrees 3 minutes east longitude. At this time, the Tian Dan ship launched aHsiung Feng III (No. 4 missile on the No. 2 launcher, numbered S015). The missile flew at a speed of 2.2 to 2.4 Mach and hit the No. 2 target ship at 7:11:11.[10][11]
Participating in the 2019Dunmu Expeditionary Training Detachment, with theROCS Pan Shi as the flagship, the "Tian Dan" and theROCS Wu Chang,[12] and led by Major GeneralWang Guoqiang, the team stopped atPalau,[13]Marshall Islands,[14]Solomon Islands.[15]
On March 24, 2023, this ship used broadcasting and tactical maneuvers to drive away the PLAType 056A Tongren in the southern waters.[16]
On August 19, 2023, the Navy dispatched this ship to monitor the PLAXuzhou conducting military exercises in the waters around Taiwan.[17]
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