Construction and verification

Pictures from the yard from the laydown of the keel to christening and commisioning

In the beginning of August '97 were the keels laid. First boards of PVC core material were attached to temporary ribs.

Picture from the production hall at Kværner Mandal September '97. This is the starboard bow - upside down.

The two hulls were built side by side upside down. Then the hulls were laminated on the outside. In November '97 the hulls were turned and put together.

This picture is from January '98 when one of the sections was lifted into the hull.

The temporary ribs were removed and the hull was laminated on the insode. Sections were built paralell with the hull work and finished sections were lifted into the hull.

This picture is from March '98. The main deck is finished in full length, while the upper deck is finished from the bow to where the superstructure will be mounted.

This picture is from May '98 and the hole for the large hatch on the aft deck was just cut out.

KNM Skjold was nearly completed in the production hall before she was brought outside. Some work had to wait until after the launch.

KNM Skjold was launched 22 September '98.

22 January '99 KNM Skjold performed her first sea trials. We experienced a well behaving ship at low and medium speeds in Mannafjord outside Mandal. We had to wait another two months before high speed trials.

The pictures are from February '99. Some of the equipment was installed and tested. Carpets were laid, painted floors were given a top finish.

Operations room

Chair of the officer of the watch.

The most important activity in February was that starboard gas turbine, "Monica", was dismounted for balancing.

The gasturbine is small, but the output is 6000 kW (8160 Hp)

Loaded with sand

KNM Skjold was loaded with more than 46 tons of sand to compensate for the weight of weapons, ammunition, sensors and weapon control systems. This load was on board during all tests relevant to seakeeping and speed performances.

.There was sand on the missile deck and in the ammunition room.

First sea trial 22 Jan 99

Slowly moving out Mannafjord for the first time.

KNM Skjold accellerating for the first time by gas turbines. The picture was taken from an assisting boat, which suddenly was in a hurry to get out of the way.

On the first sea trial, manoeuvering was a main objective. KNM Skjold turned out very manoeuverable, on diesels and on gas turbines.

By turning the two waterjet nozzles independently KNM Skjold is capable of moving perfect sideways without side- or bow propellars.

KNM Skjold throws some sea spray when turning hard port.

Sea trials 18 - 27 March

KNM Skjold was on sea trials 18 - 27 March. The weather was varying and gave all the desired challenges.

KNM Stegg, a Hauk-class, tried to follow KNM SKjold on some of the sea trials, but had to give up due to the sea state.

These pictures were taken when KNM Skjold was underway back to the yard at slow speed.

KNM Skjold at full speed

The first week of April '99 KNM Skjold performed the final sea trials by the yard. The trials took place between Lindesnes and Arendal between the coast and 15 miles off the coast. Sustained average speed above 50 knots were achieved.

For periods KNM Skjold has performed more than 54 knots. That equals more than 100 km/h. That equals less than 7 seconds pr cable length. At 50 knots KNM Skjold will go from Bergen to Stavanger or from Oslo to Risør in 2 hours. Kværner Mandal completed their sea trials Friday 9 April '99.

The last week, the yard and the ship's company cooperated to make the ship ready for christening and delivery, which took place 17 April '99.