The guided missile frigates are capable of anti-air warfare, but they have some
limitations. Designed as cost-efficient surface combatants, they lack the
versatility necessary for modern surface combatants faced with multiple,
high-technology threats. They also offer limited capacity for growth. Despite
this, the FFG-7 class is a robust ship, capable of withstanding considerable
damage.
General Characteristics, Oliver Hazard Perry ClassPower Plant: Two General Electric LM 2500 gas turbine engines; 1 shaft, 41,000
shaft horsepower total. Length: 445 feet (133.5 meters); 453 feet (135.9 meters) with LAMPS III modification. Beam: 45 feet (13.5 meters) Displacement: 4,100 tons full load Speed: 29 plus knots (33.4+ miles per hour) Aircraft:
Two SH-60 (LAMPS III) in FFG 8, 28, 29, 32, 33, 36-61
One SH-2F (Lamps Mk-I) in FFG 9-19, 30, 31. Crew: 13 Officers, 287 Enlisted Armament: Standard Missile (MR); Harpoon (from Standard Missile Launcher); six
MK-46 torpedoes (from two triple mounts); One 76 mm (3-inch)/62 caliber MK 75 rapid fire gun; One Phalanx
close-in-weapons system Date Deployed: 17 December 1977 (Oliver Hazard Perry)