Frigates

USN FF/FFG

The workhorse of any fleet is its Frigates (FF) and Guided Missile Frigates (FFG), providing Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) escort, general duties and patrolling.  The Reagan Administration’s 600 ship Navy program planned for 101 Frigates – Northern Fury gets close to this mark with 91 active ships, and 10 in ready reserve, able to deploy within 30-60 days. Not retiring the Knox class makes this possible; historically they were all stricken between 1991 and 1994, with a planned lifespan of 30 years and actual service of only 23 years, these ships had at least 7-10 years of potential use remaining when they wee scrapped.  Another critical problem with this type at the end of the Cold War was that there were replacement Frigate on the horizon, so in Northern Fury a further 12 Oliver Hazard Perry Class ships were ordered in 1991 with the first four already launched and due to commission later in 1994. As a stop-gap four Brooke Class FFG’s (FFG-3 to 6) were retained but will be decommissioned later this year. A ‘Follow on Frigate’ program is underway with a proposal for 72 units, the first being laid down in early 95, this will replace both the OHP and the Knox Class in the escort role. A service life of 30 years remains the target for all ships of this size.

Brooke ClassAll originally mothballed in 88/89, the sale of the USS Brooke (FFG-1) to Pakistan in 89 went forward and the USS Ramsey (FFG-2) was too far down the decommissioning process to maintain but the remaining 4 were retained until the new Oliver Hazard Perry class ships begin service later in 1994. The sale of FFG-3, 4 and 5 to Pakistan was canceled. These ships are nearing the end of their useful life and are not suitable for front line tasks. Their Tartar missile launchers are capable of firing the RIM-66 Standard Surface to Air (SAM) missiles, but not quickly. They carry an SH-2 Seasprite ASW helicopter.

Knox Class FFThere were 46 Knox class ships built between 1965 and 1974.  Although there were very few variations when built, the weapons fit during their lifetime was quite diverse. By 1994 however a fairly standard layout had been achieved again; along with a 5” gun, each had a Mk 15 Phalanx Close in Weapons System (CIWS), a Mk 16 Anti Submarine Rocket (ASROC) system that could also fire four Harpoon Anti-Ship Missiles (ASM). There were no Surface to Air (SAM) missiles but all carried an SH-2 Seasprite ASW helicopter.

These ships are starting to show their age, only have one propeller shaft and are too slow to keep up with the Carrier Battle Groups, but make excellent escorts and general duty ships. The Spanish Navy built a further five improved examples of this type, the Baleares class, but foreign sales to Taiwan and other countries did not occur in Northern fury. More details can be found here. In an effort to save manpower the USN has put 10 of these ships in reserve but the other 36 are active.

Oliver Hazard Perry (OHP) Class FFG

The 51 ships of the OHP class are the true workhorses of the USN and a success story for modern ship design. These ships are propelled by two gas turbines on a single shaft and also have an auxiliary power system for stealth and efficiency at low speeds. They have 36 RIM-66 Standard SAMs and, 4 Harpoon ASMs launched from a single launcher, a 3” gun, CIWS and ASW torpedoes.

Two distinct versions were built; Short hull, which carry two SH-2 Seasprite (LAMPS I) helicopters, and Long hull, sometimes classified as the Underwood class which carry two SH-60 Seahawk (LAMPS III) helicopters.  These are capable, well rounded ships that excel at ASW work, but can still conduct anti-surface tasks with Harpoon missiles and a gun. They have a limited Air Defence capacity so work better in company with an Anti Air Warfare (AAW) ship.

In addition to the 51 American ships, Australia and Spain have six each and Taiwan operates eight of these ships. In Northern Fury, 12 more are building with the intent of retiring the 4 Brooke class later in 1994 and putting another 10 Knox class in reserve by 1996.