Tuuli class hovercraft
Encyclopedia
The Tuuli class combat
hovercraft
(ACV) is a type of vessel designed for the Finnish Navy
.
The Tuuli class was also previously known as the T-2000 class. It takes its name from the decommissioned Tuima class
(modified Soviet OSA-II) FNS Tuuli (14) missile boat
. Its intended use was a mobile missile platform able to navigate and perform surprise attacks in the fractured archipelago of the northern Baltic sea
. Since the surface often freezes over in the winter, parts of the archipelago cannot be navigated, and are accessible only by air or with a hovercraft. However, the focus of the Finnish navy was defined as long-term protection of merchant marine traffic, and missile boats with longer operating time were selected in Tuuli's stead.
Only one Tuuli class vessel was built at the Aker Finnyards in Rauma
, Finland
, instead of four that were planned for the Squadron 2000 that the navy has been developing. Further building was cancelled in favour of the Hamina class
missile boats.
The design of the vessel involves technology transferred from the United States. It is constructed from welded panels of thin marine aluminium sheets and extrusions connected with light-weight composite constructions. The special features of the vessel are good mobility, independence of waterways and fixed port equipment, year-around operation and a small crew of only ten owing to the advanced technology.
Tuuli was commissioned in 2000. Her trial runs proved a success, and her specified capacity and maximum speed were exceeded. Fiscal reasons and doctrine change in the Navy spelled an end for the Squadron 2000 project. On December 19, 2003 it was announced that Tuuli will not enter active service and it would be presented for sale. There has been foreign interest towards purchasing Tuuli, but no further details have been given. The vessel is being stored at Upinniemi.
Surface combatant
Surface combatants are a subset of Naval Warships which are designed to engage in combat on the surface of the water, with their own weapons. They are generally ships built to fight other ships, submarines or aircraft, and can carry out several other missions including counter-narcotics operations...
hovercraft
Hovercraft
A hovercraft is a craft capable of traveling over surfaces while supported by a cushion of slow moving, high-pressure air which is ejected against the surface below and contained within a "skirt." Although supported by air, a hovercraft is not considered an aircraft.Hovercraft are used throughout...
(ACV) is a type of vessel designed for the Finnish Navy
Finnish Navy
The Finnish Navy is one of the branches of the Finnish Defence Forces. The Navy employs 2,300 people and about 4,300 conscripts are trained each year. Finnish Navy vessels are given the ship prefix "FNS" simply short for "Finnish Navy Ship"...
.
The Tuuli class was also previously known as the T-2000 class. It takes its name from the decommissioned Tuima class
Tuima class missile boat
The Tuima class missile boat was a class of fast attack craft in use by the Finnish Navy.The vessels were constructed in the Soviet Union and purchased by the Finnish Navy between 1974 and 1975...
(modified Soviet OSA-II) FNS Tuuli (14) missile boat
Missile boat
A Missile Boat is a small craft armed with anti-ship missiles. Being a small craft, missile boats are popular with nations interested in forming an inexpensive navy...
. Its intended use was a mobile missile platform able to navigate and perform surprise attacks in the fractured archipelago of the northern Baltic sea
Baltic Sea
The Baltic Sea is a brackish mediterranean sea located in Northern Europe, from 53°N to 66°N latitude and from 20°E to 26°E longitude. It is bounded by the Scandinavian Peninsula, the mainland of Europe, and the Danish islands. It drains into the Kattegat by way of the Øresund, the Great Belt and...
. Since the surface often freezes over in the winter, parts of the archipelago cannot be navigated, and are accessible only by air or with a hovercraft. However, the focus of the Finnish navy was defined as long-term protection of merchant marine traffic, and missile boats with longer operating time were selected in Tuuli's stead.
Only one Tuuli class vessel was built at the Aker Finnyards in Rauma
Rauma, Finland
Rauma is a town and municipality of ca. inhabitants on the west coast of Finland, north of Turku, and south of Pori. Granted town privileges on May 17, 1442 , Rauma is known of its high quality lace , and of the old wooden architecture of its centre , which is a Unesco world heritage...
, Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
, instead of four that were planned for the Squadron 2000 that the navy has been developing. Further building was cancelled in favour of the Hamina class
Hamina class missile boat
The Hamina class missile boat is a 4-strong class of fast attack craft of the Finnish Navy. Technically they are classified as "missile fast attack craft", ohjusvene, literally "missile boat" in Finnish.-History:...
missile boats.
The design of the vessel involves technology transferred from the United States. It is constructed from welded panels of thin marine aluminium sheets and extrusions connected with light-weight composite constructions. The special features of the vessel are good mobility, independence of waterways and fixed port equipment, year-around operation and a small crew of only ten owing to the advanced technology.
Tuuli was commissioned in 2000. Her trial runs proved a success, and her specified capacity and maximum speed were exceeded. Fiscal reasons and doctrine change in the Navy spelled an end for the Squadron 2000 project. On December 19, 2003 it was announced that Tuuli will not enter active service and it would be presented for sale. There has been foreign interest towards purchasing Tuuli, but no further details have been given. The vessel is being stored at Upinniemi.