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Orkan OrRP Lightning rocket ship: quarter of a century in service
Author:Mariusz Dasiewicz
Under the white and red flag, he travelled over 37,000 nautical miles. He was the first ship to practice with NATO ships three days after Poland joined the North Atlantic Alliance.
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When the war flag was first raised 25 years ago, the ship was baptized after its war predecessor – ORP Piorun. The first ship of this name entered service in the Polish Navy in 1940. During the war, he participated in the convoy cover to besieged Malta, Arctic operations, covering landing operations in Sicily and northern France. He was most famous during the operation to sink the most powerful German battleship BISMARCK. ORP Lightning was the first to detect it, and despite the great disparity in the weaponry and the tonnage "bound" it with artillery fire, allowing the Allied to regroup forces to attack. During World War II, Orp Lightning defeated 218,000 nautical miles. Modern ORP Lightning continues the traditions of one of the most famous Polish ships of World War II. In March 1999, ORP Piorun along with the twin ORP Grom were the first Polish units to participate in NATO's international maneuvers three days after our country joined the North Atlantic Alliance.
According to the Navy tradition, a large flag gala was erected on the ship, and in the solemn appeal on this occasion the commander of Gdynia Flotilla kmdr Mirosław Jurkowlaniec, commander of the Battleship Squadron, Mr Radosław Hurbańczuk, crew members, former commanders and sailors who served on the ship. The guest of honor was a representative of the City Council of Gdynia, who is the honorary patron of the ship.
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ORP Lightning (board 422) is an Orkan-type missile vessel. Armed with a 76.2 mm AK-176 M cannon, AK-630 30 mm six barrel cannon and S-2M anti-aircraft missile launcher. It is equipped with RBS-15 Mk III missile armament and equipment, TACTICOS combat system, detection radar (SEA GIRAFFE) and fire control (STING E0). In addition, it is also equipped with NATO standard communication devices. ORP Lightning is a very fast and dynamic unit. Three diesel engines (with a power of 4895 horsepower each) allow to develop a speed of 36 knots (about 70 km/h). The main task of the Orkan-type missile vessel is to perform missile strikes on the submarines and enemy ships, combat air raid measures, ship defense and anti-aircraft of its own submarines and ships, as well as patrol and protect communication routes and designated areas. The unit is part of the Battleship Squadron of the 3rd Fleet Ship in Gdynia.
Photo gallery of the ORP Piorun vessel is available on website 3. Fleet Ships.
Source: 3rd Fleet Ship.
