KM Luchs (FB-1928)
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Flottenbegleiter translates to Fleet Escort. Not convoy escort, though they were used in that role when necessary. These ships were built to undertake the roles of anti-aircraft and anti-submarine escorts to the large fleet units. Their roles were kept distinct by the absence of torpedoes. These ships were equivalent to the fastest frigates. The ships were designed for deep sea work and had a speed that allowed them to operate with the battlefleet. Long range was achieved by utilising diesel engines for the power plant.
The Germanic States Navy built a series of these craft utilising the same hull and propulsion systems with slight differences in armament up till the last in the series where the armament changed dramatically with the fitting of the radar controlled 3.5" automatic turrets and 30mm automatic tripple and twin turrets. The anti-aircraft armament had reached its peak. Over 30 of the class was completed in a 15 year period.
| Displacement | 1,200 tons std, 1,700 full load | |
| Length | 296 ft | |
| Breadth | 33 ft | |
| Draught | 12.5 ft | |
| Machinery | 2 shaft diesel engines 30,000ihp | |
| Speed | 32 knots | |
| Range | 8000 miles at 18 knots | |
| Armour | nil | |
| Armament | As at 1940 4 x 88mm/L56 (4x1) 4 x 37mm (2x2) 8 x 20mm (1x4 4x1) |
1944 version 4 x 88mm/L70 (2x2) 13 x 30mm (3x3 2x2) 2 x 20mm (2x1) |
| Aircraft | nil | |
| Torpedoes | nil | |
| Complement | 150 | |
| Notes | KM Luchs KM Falke KM Leopard KM Albatros KM Greif KM Kondor KM Mowe KM Seadler KM Iltis KM Jaguar KM Tiger KM Wolf |
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Quad 20mm Flakvierling mounting.