Nations swap ideas on keeping frigates fresh

Sailors aboard the guided missile frigate Taylor man the rails as the ship pulls into Naval Station Mayport, Fla.


Nations swap ideas on keeping frigates fresh
By Christopher P. Cavas - Staff writer
Posted : Monday Mar 2, 2009 17:19:01 EST

The venerable Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate has been in Navy service for more than 30 years, but many of the 63 remaining ships could be around decades more. An international gathering this spring will consider ways to keep the ships running and even give them a bit more punch.

“What I’m looking for is the ability to have each country understand what activities and products each other country brings to the table,” Rear Adm. James McManamon, deputy commander for surface warfare at Naval Sea Systems Command, said during a recent interview. “These ships are going to be around for a while.”

The Perry-class guided-missile frigates — also known as the FFG 7 class — fly the flags of countries around the globe, from Australia and Taiwan in the Pacific to Bahrain, Egypt and Turkey in the Middle East and Poland and Spain in Europe. Fifty-one were built for the U.S. and entered service from 1977 to 1989. Of those ships, 30 remain in U.S. service and most of the rest were transferred to allies. All the nations are interested in keeping the warships viable.

The frigates were designed at the height of the Cold War as convoy and amphibious group escorts. Considered inexpensive, they had a single-arm launcher for 16 SM-1 standard surface-to-air missiles, but their biggest punch resided in a double helicopter hangar and a flight deck intended to carry anti-submarine helicopters.

Although they displace more than 4,000 tons, the frigates have been criticized as cramped and tough to modernize. But they remain practical assets.


Rest of article at: http://navytimes.com/news/2009/03/navy_frigates_030209w/%2e

Extreme emphasis on past tense. The launcher is gone on all Perry-class frigates in US service replaced by ... nothing.