One Killed and Three Missing in an Attack on Navy Rocket Ship-(video of ship returning to base)

idf ^ | 15/07/2006 | na

[Flavius]

Yesterday, July 14th 2006, An IDF missile ship, "Ahi Hanit", was hit by a missile that was launched from the Lebanese coast. As a result of the attack, fire erupted on board. The crew members on board managed to control the damage, but four crew members were declared missing. During searches conducted on board the ship the body of one of the missing soldiers was found- Staff Sergeant Tal Amgar, 21, resident of Ashdod.

Staff Sergeant Tal Amgar

Sergeant Yaniv Hershkowit

Master Sergeant Dov Shtierenshos

[Flavius]

video of ship (i think 2 rocket impacts near waterline)

http://www1.idf.il/DOVER/../SIP_STORAGE/DOVER/files/8/54428.wmv

[forYourChildrenVote4Bush]

Looks like two hits??

They say that an Egyptian Ship sank???

[stboz]

Hmmmm, whatever became of the Egyptian vessel that was supposedly hit? Haven't heard much of that.

[wizr]

I wonder if that was the same type of missle that took out Flight 800.

[wyattearp]

Actually those smudge marks aren't missile hits. Google "Saar-5" and check out the pictures of this class of ship. Those are ports of some type. Somebody on another thread posited that the soot may be exhaust from emergency diesel generators.

In any case, those holes exist on non-missile-stricken ships of that class. From the mess aft, it looks like it may have taken the missile in the hanger deck.

[bnelson44]

yep

[Captain Rhino]

I read in an earlier report that the missile struck in the hanger deck area. Not to much visible damage there but the video is from alongside or from ahead, so it may just be the damage is within the hanger and that not visible.

I agree that the water line smudges are exhaust but I think they are associated with the ship's main propulsion system. Here is a description from the Israel Weapons website (http://www.israeli-weapons.com/weapons/naval/saar5/Saar5.html):

Propulsion

The ship's propulsion system is in a CODOG combined diesel or gas configuration. The two MTU 12V 1163 TB82 diesel engines are rated at 6,600hp. The GE LM 2500 gas turbine system is cross-connected and provides 30,000hp. The propulsion system drives two shafts. The propulsion system provides a maximum speed of 33 knots. The cruise speed on the diesel engines is 20 knots and the endurance is 4,000 nautical miles. A large twin rudder provides maneuverability at high speed and controllable reversible pitch (CRP) propellers at low speed.

The video at the IDF website shows more smudging on the hull than on the Israel Weapons website. This may be normal or it may be from ejecting smoke from the fire through the ventilation system. To be perfectly honest, the ship looks pretty good for having just taken a cruise missile.

These weapons have a history of not detonating when they hit a thinly armored/unarmored ship. But the rocket motor continues to burn causing major conflagrations. IIRC, HMS Sheffield burnt out and had to be sunk during the Falklands War and USS Stark had a major fire during the Tanker War (annex to the Iran- Iraq War) when struck by anti-ship cruise missiles. Both missiles were Exocets. If I am not mistaken, the Chinese-designed, Iranian-produced missile involved in this attack is essentially a copy of the Exocet.

Now that the Israelis are alerted to this threat, I'd say the next time the Hezbollah/Iranians turn on it's fire control radar, the IDF will have a hot surprise waiting for them.

[TomasUSMC]

Israel should mobilize for TOTAL UNRESTRICTED WW2 TYPE WAR!

They are taking out the middle man when they should be crushing the source - Syria and Iran. They have the opportunity, the reason, the means.... but not the will.

[El Gato]

These weapons have a history of not detonating when they hit a thinly armored/unarmored ship. But the rocket motor continues to burn causing major conflagrations. IIRC, HMS Sheffield burnt out and had to be sunk during the Falklands War and USS Stark had a major fire during the Tanker War (annex to the Iran- Iraq War) when struck by anti-ship cruise missiles. Both missiles were Exocets. If I am not mistaken, the Chinese-designed, Iranian-produced missile involved in this attack is essentially a copy of the Exocet.

If it was a C-802, as has been reported, then it's more like a Harpoon than the sort of Exocet that got the Sheffield and the Stark. Of course any left over jet fuel for it's turbine engine could have much the same effect. Latest model Exocet also uses turbine engine rather than solid rocket.

[kayak]

fyi

[Captain Rhino]

I have limited knowledge in this area, so I defer to your expertise concerning the differences in their propulsion systems.