Carrier flight groups

[Shrike]

Obselete description. All the USN 'guided missile frigates' (such as the nukes) were reclassified cruisers, and the only frigates left are the small ships like the Perry class, which are smaller than the destroyers.

 

[Capn Johnny]

So the absolute definition of a word is based on wether or not the USN still uses Frigates? (And/or how they classify them?)

So definition #5 is outdated.. or at least should should be updated..

That doesn't change the definition of how a frigate has been historically classified.. as in definitions 1 - 4.

-John

 

[Skyfire]

He does have a point, it doesn't really change former definitions of the word, however.

 

[OriginalPhoenix]

What I find interesting is that regardless of the definition that Capn Johnny provides, the actual sizes (length and tonnage) demonstrate that frigates are indeed SMALLER than destroyers. See an earlier post of mine in this thread, where I give definitive specs for the predominant classes of these vessels in the US Navy. Ironically, the upper range given in definition #1 would as best roughly match the lower range of that of a destroyer.

So what to believe...erroneous printed word, or reality?

(FWIW, my desktop dictionary -- Webster's New World Dictionary -- merely gives one definition of frigate: a medium-sized sailing vessel of the 18th and 19th centuries.)

 

[Bob McDob]

I...think... the Commonwealth frigate is somewhat smaller than a cruiser, while USN frigates replaced the destroyer-escort.

 

[I'm thinkin...]

Okay everybody. I went to the US Navy website and did some digging. While the Arleigh Burke class is the mainstay of the US destroyer fleet, there are still many Spruance class destroyers still in service. Burke class destroyers are 505 to 509 ft and weigh 8300 tons fully loaded(depending on when they were built. Early vessels of the class were 505 ft) and the Spruance class are 563 ft and weigh 9100 tons fully loaded. Within the next decade construction is scheduled to begin on a new class, the Zumwalt. Frigates of the Perry class are 445 to 453 ft (depending if the ship has been modified to accomodate SH-60 Seahawks) and weigh 4100 tons. The dominate class of cruisers are the Ticonderoga class. They are 567 ft and weigh 9600 tons fully loaded.

Shrike: Most frigates in the Perry class do carry guided missiles for anti-air warfare, but lack the multi-role capabilities of the larger ships in the navy, such as cruisers. The frigates main role is in anti-submarine warfare.

Definitions 1 and 5 need to be updated.

 

[Shrike]

Originally posted by I'm thinkin...
Shrike: Most frigates in the Perry class do carry guided missiles for anti-air warfare, but lack the multi-role capabilities of the larger ships in the navy, such as cruisers. The frigates main role is in anti-submarine warfare.

Which is why I put 'guided missile frigate' in quotations. The Perrys are not classified as guided missile frigs as far I know, just 'frigates'.

 

[I'm thinkin...]

I guess I misunderstood what you were trying to say. But to be honest I don't think the USN ever actually had "guided missile frigates". I do know they had guided missile destroyers. All the ships in the Perry class do have guided missiles for anti-air and surface-to-surface engagements. The Standard missile is the primary surface-to-air missile and the Harpoon is the primary surface-to-surface anti-ship missile but their primary role is anti-submarine warfare. The missiles are for defensive purposes against aircraft and other surface vessels.

I think the main reason why cruisers are called guided missile cruisers is because they are equip with the Tomahawk cruise missile, capable of hitting targets up to 1000 miles away. But actually looking deeper into things, all Ticonderoga class cruisers are equipped with the AEGIS combat system as well as all the destroyers in the Burke class. All ships in these classes carry Tomahawk missiles, as well as some modified Spruance class destroyers. At this point 24 ships of the Spruance class are undergoing modernization and upgrading to increase their anti-submarine warfare capabilities

 

[OriginalPhoenix]

Originally posted by I'm thinkin...
Okay everybody. I went to the US Navy website and did some digging. While the Arleigh Burke class is the mainstay of the US destroyer fleet, there are still many Spruance class destroyers still in service. Burke class destroyers are 505 to 509 ft and weigh 8300 tons fully loaded(depending on when they were built. Early vessels of the class were 505 ft) and the Spruance class are 563 ft and weigh 9100 tons fully loaded. Within the next decade construction is scheduled to begin on a new class, the Zumwalt. Frigates of the Perry class are 445 to 453 ft (depending if the ship has been modified to accomodate SH-60 Seahawks) and weigh 4100 tons. The dominate class of cruisers are the Ticonderoga class. They are 567 ft and weigh 9600 tons fully loaded.

Which is pretty much a direct repeat of my post earlier in the thread (minus the cruiser info, sicne cruisers weren't really part of the inital discussion).