1968 MOLDERS. One of a group of three guided missile destroyers built in the USA in the latter half of the 1960s to the pattern of the later Charles F Adams class, and known in Germany as the Ltjens class.
THE LUTJENS CLASS
The three German Type 103 destroyers Lutjens, named after a senior Second World War admiral; Molders, named after a Luftwaffe ace and Rommel, named after the commander of the Alrikakorps were almost identical to the American ships (and those built for the Royal Australian Navy) save in the design of their funnels, which were macks (combined masts and stacks) with side outlets. All were built by Bath Iron Works; Molders (D186) was laid down on 12 April 1966, launched on 13 April 1968 and completed on 20 September 1969. She was the first of the three to undergo a major refit, being returned to service at the end of March 1984; she was scheduled to stay in commission until 2002.
ARMAMENT AND SYSTEMS
Originally armed as the American ships, the Molders carried single 51n (127mm) fully automatic guns in turrets fore and aft and Tartar surface-to-air missiles, together with six 324mm (12.75in) tubes for Mk 46 lightweight anti submarine torpedoes. Her missile armament was later upgraded to include Standard SM-i SAMs and Harpoon SSMs a total capacity of 32 and eight, respectively as well as ASROC ASMs. Unlike other (domestically- built) German warships, she was fitted with American sonar and radar equipment. Her four boiler/two turbine powerplant which was modified to burn light oil in the late 1 970s gave her a useful top speed of something over 36 knots (66km/h).
TECHNICAL DATA
Type: Guided missile destroyer Machinery: 2-shaft turbines producing a total of 70,000shp
Dimensions (overall): Length, 134.4m (441 .25ft); beam, 14.4 m (47.25ft)
Displacement: 3370t standard; 4720t full load
Draught: 4.5m (14.75ft)
Complement: 333
