Who has the best frigates

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gf0012-aust RE:Who has the best frigates - EW3 3/6/2005 9:46:38 PM

It's probably too broad a brush, I should qualify it more that they are better at AWD than ASW. It's all relative, but it's also based on discussions I've had with blackshoes at UDT/ASW events. In the scheme of things there aren't too many that can match them as an ASW platform, but in a real sense the ASW skillset of the USN has backseated since circa 1989 when the force on force threat matrix shifted. Everything points to the USN rejuvenating their ASW skills again to counter a growing PLAN threat in subs. ASW has an overall competency has been degraded. (P3's are more focussed on ISR, have less ASW training, organic ASW has diminished at a CSF level (S3's) and as such there's not a lot of synchronised/combined ASW training. The hunting is down to ships and organic rotors - not ideal in comparison to the halcyon days of subs, ASW skimmers, S3's, P3's etc all working together.

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Gothic Irishmen ok you where right 3/6/2005 10:02:05 PM

the bradenburg class isnt the best but i do like uks duke class and who ever said swedens visby class but that ship does good defense against aircraft but i do like japans abukuma class ships too

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DropBear Anzacs?? 3/6/2005 10:36:33 PM

Where will an upgraded Anzac fit in the scheme of things??

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perfectgeneral RE:Singapore? 3/6/2005 11:49:28 PM

They have a nice new frigate coming on line, but does it count? The Saudi frigate? The Triton indicates that FSC will be a wonder to behold. UK frigates rule.

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gf0012-aust RE:Singapore? 3/6/2005 11:55:51 PM

if you're talking triton as in a large trimaran, you do realise that the original concept was Russian? ;) DERA managed to score a bucketload of esoteric Russian vessel designs after the CCCP collapsed. They went on a design acquisition spree.

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shawn RE:Singapore? 3/7/2005 2:35:33 AM

perfectgeneral wrote: "They have a nice new frigate coming on line, but does it count? The Saudi frigate?" Both the Saudi Al Riyadh and the Singapore Formidable class frigates are derivitives of the French LaFayatte class. But while the Saudi class, at 4500 tons, is larger than a base-line LaFayette, the Formidable class is smaller, at around 3300 tons. The Formidable Class also looks stealther, with a much reduced superstructure and integrated sensor mast. Increased automation and remote management systems in this class has reduced crew size to 60 (70 with heli crew) while their weapons fit is quite impressive for ships of this size - in that the Formidables carry 32 Aster 15 SAMS in Slyver VLS, compared to 16 Aster 15 in the larger Al Riyadhs. While the Al Riyadhs have a bigger crew complement, 164, they also have almost twice the unrefuelled range, which would also account for a significant difference in tonnage. Apart from a 76mm Oto Melera gun and 8 Harpoon ASMs, the Formidable's also have towed low frequency sonar, 6 lightweight Eurotorp anti-submarine torpedoes and will operate SH-60B Seahawk helicopters. At the moment, the Formidables are not yet in service, so I don't think they count in this discussion, but the first will be commissioned by year's end, and the hull of the third has already been launched. IMHO, they will be pretty effective surface combatants, with a well balanced combat capability and stealth/low emmissions features.

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Massive RE:Anzacs?? - DB 3/7/2005 5:48:09 AM

A single very weak helicopter rules it out I'm afraid. Will be more effective once the Mistrale and ESSM upgrades are completed and hopefully the Seasprites get sold to someone else and are replaced with NH-90. They will still be quite 'light' frigates though. The various European Air-defence/General purpose frigates are more effective though. As ASW is going to become more and more of a concern in coming years it seems only sensible for any new Australian frigates to have a two helicopter hangar. Odd place to skimp if you must!

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EW3 RE:Who has the best frigates - GF 3/7/2005 11:34:21 AM

Thanks, that makes it much clearer. My DE was part af an ASW qroup that included 4 or 5 DEs plus the carrier Intrepid and a sub. That's all we ever did was chase subs, so I can see what you mean. Besides we were dead meat in case of an air attack. :) As an engineer, with a lot of years :), I get nervous the second someone tells me one size fits all. Maybe the fact the ABs are so good at AA they lost that ASW touch. An LHD would make a good ASW carrier in a pinch.

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BFD15 RE:Who has the best frigates - GF 3/7/2005 1:23:52 PM

Anything wrong with the Halifax class frigates? I would think as a general purpose ship they are as good as any.

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Gothic Irishmen RE:Who has the best frigates 3/10/2005 11:31:24 PM

ok so another quick question...I know the united states philosophy is to be better in every field of combat because if some1 is better than them in an area its a threat allie or foe; figrates and carriers have there own groups...so if the u.s. doesnt have the best figrates quality wise uh how does this change sea battles suppose if it where to come; do figrates have a large part or important part in sea battles?

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