Posted on 01/23/2019 8:32:31 AM PST by sukhoi-30mki
A "FLETCHER" class destroyer of WWII displaced 2500 tons and was 376.5 ft long.
The cold-war "ADAMS" class destroyer displaced 4526 tons and was 437 ft long.
That’s a destroyer if I ever saw one. 5,800 tons, 482 feet long, 57 ft beam
Spruance class destroyer was 529 felt and 8040 tons, 55 ft beam
Oliver Hazard Perry class frigate was 408 feet 4100 tons, 45 ft beam
she’s lighter than a spru-can but nearly as long and wider.
Oh... and someone needs to be taken to task for the condition of those anchor chain shots.
The US Navy ( or US shipyards)should build its own warships. That is a basic strategic thing and should require no explanation. This is an admission that globalism has pretty much hampered the USA’s ability to make warships in large numbers. This is without a doubt crosses a line. A show of pathetic weakness. The Chinese are laughing at us.
100%. Without a doubt.
It shows out our enemies that in a war of attrition the Navy can’t replace it’s ships. That’s why. IT is the worst message that could be sent. THE USA SHOULD MAKE ALL OF ITS MILITARY EQUIPMENT. ALL OF IT. 100% ALL OF IT.
Needs to be built here with US Steel and US labor. 100%.
Surprised is not the word I would use. I'd say pissed off.
Do you want them built here or do you want them in service as fast as possible?
Built here. The USA should be able to crank out and repair ships better and faster than every other country in the world If not then we are screwed.
I would have resigned my commission before I would serve on a warship NOT built in the USA. I’d get a transfer or resign.
Meets our specs, we can monitor it’s construction for shortcuts, we can add technology we may not want Spain or anyone else to know about, and it will use American workers instead of Spanish. What I don’t understand is why can’t we design our own ships of the line anymore?
Spain already has orders for several of them from Australia and South Korea. Canada is expected to choose this platform as well.
That’s about 30 units. There’s a line.
If we want them they’ll have to be built here, from US Steel and by US workers. The Spanish supplier will be HAPPY, OVERJOYED to settle for royalties on their design, to be a major element of the most powerful fleet the world has ever seen.
That’s prestige that will sell at least 100 copies over the next 25 years.
Most of the components are American anyway.
I noticed a glaring weakness that will ensure the US Navy does not choose this platform without major changes.
It’s limited to 28.5 knots, top speed.
It’s range limited to 4,500 nautical miles.
A US Frigate has to be an integral part of a Carrier Battle Group.
That dictates 30+ knots and 7,000 NM range. That’s the bare minimum entry to the big boys club.
I served on frigates and the primary mission of a frigate is ocean escort and ASW. I spent 4 years at sea on a frigate and spent maybe 4 days in a CVBG.
Destroyers and cruisers are CVBG escorts, not frigates.
The only reason our frigate was in a cvbg for a few days was that the there was some new requirement that all frigates had to have some time (familiarization) in cvbg in case of emergencies. If frigates are in a CVBG then something has gone very wrong. The frigate I was on took on fuel (unrep) from the CVN, yes they carry dfm. Lots of it.
Probably built at Bath Iron Works under license. That’s typically how these things are done, particularly when the design gets customized to accomodate certain design features that the USN will insist upon.
The US Navy said those are the criteria, in addition to Aegis integration and VLS, for the new “Frigate”. Oh, and an existing platform design.
Which is bigger than any destroyer built before the 1970s.
I served on the Adams Class DDG for a WestPac and she was only 4,000 tones loaded.
But you’re right, the traditional role of a Frigate is Amphibious and Commercial escort along with ASW.
But you don’t need 48 VLS tubes for that. And the admirals like their VLS tubes. Hell, so do I.
If the Navy picks this one, it will be the best armed Frigate in history.
5in gun
48 vls
8 harpoon
8 mk46 torpedos
Phalanx AND RAM
AEGIS and AN/SPY-1
Yikes, it’s a baby Burke.
The three Australian ships of this have been built in Australia, not Spain. We designate them as destroyers though. The upcoming Type 26 based ships are frigates.
They are rightfully designated as Destroyers at 5,800 tons minimum. Versions go up to 6,100 tons.
But if you’re in a Surface Action Group with Burke class Destroyers at 10,000 tons, I guess you have to take the designation you’re given.
Or properly re-designate the Burkes as the Cruiser they are.
A “frigate” is really a destroyer. A “destroyer” is really a light cruiser.
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