Kongsberg controllable pitch propeller for F126

The new F126 frigates of the German Navy will receive controllable pitch propeller systems with the corresponding hubs, blades, hub covers and propeller shafts from Kongsberg. The company has announced that the general contractor for the construction of the frigate, Damen Naval, has commissioned Kongsberg to supply four sets of controllable pitch propeller systems.

Propeller F 126 from Kongsberg

The propeller/propeller shaft system is the successful result of close co-operation between Damen Naval, Kongsberg Maritime, the Hamburg Shipbuilding Research Institute and the classification society, says Kongsberg.

Controllable pitch propellers enable travel speeds (forwards and backwards) independent of the engine speed and improve the manoeuvrability of the ship. The propulsion system has a simpler design, while the propeller itself is more complicated.

According to Kongsberg, the four vessels, each with two propellers and propeller shafts, will be built entirely in Germany at shipyards in Wolgast, Kiel and Hamburg. The construction programme envisages delivery of the vessels between 2028 and 2031, with the option of building two more vessels after 2032 with an extended range of Kongsberg Maritime equipment.

Source: Kongsberg