The film was taken from one of our spectacular trip in the Swedish archipelago.

 Association of Swedish Missile Boats

Imagine speeding through the Swedish archipelago, in over 40 knots, on board a missile-armed ship, listening to the roar of three Rolls-Royce gas turbines and feel fellowship with your crew members during a difficult mission. Quite some officers and sailors of the Royal Swedish navy has served on the fast missile boats of the Norrköping-class (later, after modernization, called the Ystad-class) during the years and they all have memories of those days. Today, there are no longer any fast missile boats in active duty in the Swedish navy. Almost all have gone to scrapping, but one ship is still operating, now as a civilian museum ship.

The Association of Swedish Missile Boats took over the HMS Ystad from the Swedish navy in 2006 in order to preserve the ship in its original condition and keep it fully operational. The association also wants to spread knowledge about the role, for more than 30 years, of this class of ships in the Swedish armed forces.  We offer companies and individuals the opportunity to support the association’s work by hiring the ship for various activities. It can be anything from a light lunch on board, while the ship is moored, to a longer trip with meals and accommodation onboard. The ship is normally based at the former RSwN torpedo base at Gålö, south of Stockholm, but is occasionally moored at the Vasa museum in Stockholm.

You can help preserve a unique part of the Swedish navy, the missile boat Ystad. At the same time you get the chance to experience the unique feeling of ”riding a fast missile boat”. Apply for membership in our association and, according to your own ability and opportunities, help keep Ystad “ship-shape” and spread knowledge about missile boats and there role in the defense of Sweden during the Cold War.

The association’s activities:

  • FSvR is a non-profit organization with the goal of preserving Ystad in its original condition and to spread knowledge of the historical role and the unique technology of this class of ships. This is done in cooperation with maritime authorities and organizations in Sweden. The association is open to anyone who sympathizes with, and supports, its goals.
  • FSvR has an agreement with SMM National Maritime Museums to run the former missile boat HMS Ystad as a living museum ship. This means keeping a trained crew and the ship maintained in order to enable the ship to run. It also includes collecting and preserving documents, manuals and pictures/videos regarding this class of ships and finally spreading information about the ship to the public.
  • There are also plans of creating a living maritime museum in Stockholm, in cooperation with SMM, local authorities and other museum ships. The Ystad would of course be one of the main attractions.
  • As a full member, you will have the opportunity to become part of the crew and work on board the ship, both in harbor and on trips. We occasionally show our ship to the public and at these occasions we need skilled guides. You are also, as a member, welcome to our ship evening’s and other gatherings. Last, but not least important, we must constantly maintain the ship. For this we need members with skills that range from removing rust and painting, to repairing gas turbines and computers.
  • If you are not able to join and work actively, but still think that a missile boat is worth preserving, you can become a supporting member.
    Membership fee for 2012:
    Full member: 1200 SEK.
    Junior full member:  350 SEK
    For 18-25 years. (Under 18 years with parental consent) 350 SEK
    Supporting member: 350 SEK.

Missile boat R142 HMS Ystad

General description: As one of the Swedish Navy’s twelve missile boats, the R142 HMS Ystad was arguably the most powerful surface ship the Swedish Navy could muster during the end of the Cold War. The primary task for these ships was surface attack and many peace time training scenarios included Soviet amphibious operations.

The missile boats primary tasks in case of an armed conflict included:

  • Attack
  • Reconnaissance
  • Mine laying
  • Escort

Main tasks in peace time tasks included:

  • Train officers and conscripts of the Swedish Navy.
  • Ensure Swedish territorial integrity.
  • Support civil society (primarily SAR – Search and Rescue).
  • International activities (e.g. joint operations with other countries’ naval forces).

 

Ships Data:

  • The missile boat is a displacing vessel, with the hull made of welded steel plates and the deckhouse made of alloy.
  • The propulsion system consists of three Bristol Siddeley (Rolls-Royce) Proteus 1282 gas turbines, 3230 kW (4300 hp) each, connected via ZF bevel gears, to KaMeWa variable pitch propellers.
  • The steering system is electrohydraulic and the ship is fitted with two rudders.
  • Electrical power (3×400 V, 60 Hz) is generated by two Hitzinger generators powered by Scania diesel engines (115 kW and 140 kW respectively).
  • The surveillance systems onboard include a C-band surface and air search radar (Ericsson – PS75), a passive SIGINT-system (ArgoSystem – PQ868) and a radar warning system (PQ826).
  • For navigation, the ship has an X-band navigation radar (Terma – PN612) with an integrated low emitting FM CW-radar.
  • A network-based Combat Information System (initially MARIL880, later modified to MARIL2000) coordinates information from sensors, communications and weapons.
  • The Bofors 57 mm gun and the torpedoes are controlled by a fire control computer (Philips – ARTE722) with radar and camera (visual & IR).


The ships armament consists of:

  • Up to eight anti-ship missiles Saab Rb15 Mk II.
  • Up to six 53 cm torpedo tubes.
  • One Bofors 57 mm m/7102 dual-purpose naval gun
  • Rate of fire: 200 rounds/min. Ammunitions: High explosive, Armor piercing for surface targets and proximity-fuse for air targets.
  • Two rocket flare racks mounted on the sides of the Bofors gun.
  • Two 7.62 mm Machine Gun m/58 (originally the Belgian FN MAG) mounted on the deck house.
  • Fixed rails for mines or depth charges.
  • The ship can be reconfigured for different numbers of missile racks, torpedo tubes and mines/depth charges.

 

Main dimensions:

  • Length overall (LOA): 44.97 m
  • Length in Water Line (LWL): 41.1 m
  • Beam: 7.49 m
  • Draft aft: 2.3 m (rudder).
  • Height above water line: Radar: 13.2 m or UK mast: 16.1 m
  • Deplacement: 230 tons.
  • Shaft power: approx. 10 000 kW (13 000 hp).
  • Speed: 40 knots.
  • Crew: 12 officers & 12-15 conscript sailors.

 Torpedbåtar – robotbåtar – missile boats

Ship Designation Shipyard Launched Delivered
Norrköping T131, R131 KkrV 16 nov 1972 11 may 1973
Nynäshamn T132, R132 KkrV 24 apr 1973 28 sep 1973
Norrtälje T133, R133 KkrV 18 sep 1973 1 feb 1974
Varberg T134, R134 KkrV 2 feb 1974 24 june 1974
Västerås T135, R135 KkrV 15 may 1974 25 okt 1974
Västervik T136, R136 KkrV 2 sep 1974 15 jan 1975
Umeå T137, R137 KkrV 15 jan 1975 12 sep 1975
Piteå T138, R138 KkrV 12 may 1975 28 nov 1975
Luleå T139, R139 KkrV 19 aug 1975 28 nov 1975
Halmstad T140, R140 KkrV 17 okt 1975 9 apr 1976
Strömstad T141, R141 KkrV 26 apr 1976 24 sep 1976
Ystad T142, R142 KkrV 3 sep 1976 10 dec 1976

The improved torpedo boats of the Norrköping class were based on the Spica series and were in appearance similar to its predecessors, but one meter longer. The latest model of the Bofors 57 mm gun replaced the old gun, giving increased rate of fire, faster target-acquisition and new types of ammunition. A new torpedo and artillery computer (Arte722), with frequency hopping radar, was installed, together with a new combat information system (ELPLO). Although no operational anti-ship missiles yet existed, preparations were made for such. The new equipment resulted in an increase of weight, which required a slightly different hull shape and increased displacement. The new hull shape and, relative to the Spica series, the improved air intake, enabled the ships to reach speeds of up to 42 knots.

In 1979 it was decided to develop a Swedish anti-ship missile. Due to this the Norrköping class was upgraded during 1981-1985. The ships were provided with new surveillance radar, computerized command and control systems and passive radar reconnaissance equipment. The modern wire-guided and homing Torpedo 613 was also installed. In early 1985 deliveries began of the new Swedish-made RBS15, a robot of the highest international standard. Each ship could carry eight missiles. The missiles are radar homing, has an advanced flight path and a range of over 100 km. Depending on the number of missiles taken on board, two to six torpedo tubes could be carried. The class of ships was renamed the Missile Boat type Norrköping. The designation letter T was also replaced by the letter R, reflecting the change from Torpedo boat to Missile boat (Sw. Robotbåt, R).

The missile boats were very successful. Arguably there were no naval ships in the world to be found with the same high standard in weapons and systems, in such a small hull. Six of the ships were decommissioned and scrapped in the late 1990’s, while the other six were modernized starting in 1997 in order to be technically operational until 2010. On September 1, 2005, HMS Ystad was decommissioned as the last missile boat of the Royal Swedish Navy.