In 1952 the OKM (German Navy High Command) ordered a cruiser design for the next generation of warships. It should be a medium sized warship, roughly around 10.000 tons, capable to do ASW-missions, air-shield for bigger units, wear an missile-armament capable to destroy any surface vessel, do long distance escorts.
The first design showed a 8000 ton cruiser, equipped with four A17m-SSM-launchers with 16 further missiles stored in containers behind the launchers. A twin 'Tornado'-SAM on the foredeck, a triple 'Taifun'-SAM on the hanger. Two triple 'Geier'-launchers on the mid. AA-gunnery consists from two 5,5cm-twins and two 3cm-quads. No heavier guns, most missions are done by missiles.
Submarines can be hunted by 'Geier'-torpedoes or with the new Weserflug 'Forelle', a new helicopter equipped with two lightwight torpedoes.
The design was rejected, the armament was declared too weak.
The A means, there will be designs B and C, too.