Introduction

This excerpt from Combat Fleets of the World, 1984/85 ed. by Jean Labayle Couhat, English translation by A.D. Baker II (© 1984 by United States Naval Institute ISBN 0-87021-136-6) shows the ship classes of the four ships on which I've served.
MINE WARFARE SHIPS

«» 85 Agile class oceangoing minesweepers

                                   Bldr                    Laid down  Launched  In serv.  Dispostion
MSO 421 AGILE                                                22-2-54  19-11-55   21-6-56        70 decomm.
MSO 422 AGRESSIVE                  Luders Marine, Stamford   25-5-51   4-10-52  25-11-53        70 decomm; transferred to Peru
MSO 423 AVENGE                                                         15-3-53               10-69 lost to fire
MSO 424 BOLD                       Norfolk Navy SY                     14-3-53   25-9-53        70 decomm; transferred to Taiwan
MSO 425 BULWARK                    Norfolk Navy SY                     14-3-53  12-11-53        70 decomm; transferred to Taiwan
MSO 426 CONFLICT                                                      16-12-52                  71 transferred to Spain
MSO 427 CONSTANT                   Fulton SY                 16-8-51   14-2-52    8-9-54  stricken before 93
MSO 428 DASH                                                           20-9-52   14-8-53   1-10-82 decomm.
MSO 429 DETECTOR                                                       5-12-52   26-1-54   1-10-82 decomm.
MSO 430 DIRECT                                                         27-5-53    9-7-54   1-10-82 decomm.
MSO 431 DOMINANT                                                       5-11-53   8-11-54   1-10-82 decomm.
MSO 432 DYNAMIC                                                       17-12-52              1-7-71 transferred to Spain
MSO 433 ENGAGE                     Colberg Boat Wks          7-11-51   18-6-53   29-6-54  stricken before 92
   (ex-Elusive)
MSO 434 EMBATTLE                                                       27-8-53  16-11-54   15-5-70 decomm; transferred to Peru
MSO 435 ENDURANCE                                                       9-8-52   19-5-54    1-7-72 decomm.
MSO 436 ENERGY                                                         13-2-53   16-7-54    5-7-72 transferred to the Philippines
MSO 437 ENHANCE                    Martinlock SB, San Diego  12-7-52  11-10-52   16-4-55  stricken before 92
MSO 438 ESTEEM                     Martinlock SB, San Diego   1-9-52  20-12-52   10-9-55  stricken before 92
MSO 439 EXCEL                      Higgins, New Orleans       4-2-53   25-9-53   24-2-55  stricken before 93
MSO 440 EXPLOIT                    Higgins, New Orleans     28-12-51   10-4-53   31-3-54   27-7-88 decomm.
MSO 441 EXULTANT                   Higgins, New Orleans      22-5-52    6-6-53   22-6-54  sked for decomm by 7/94
MSO 442 FEARLESS                   Higgins, New Orleans      23-7-52   17-7-53   22-9-54  stricken before 92
MSO 443 FIDELITY                   Higgins, New Orleans     15-12-52   21-8-53   19-1-55  stricken before 92
MSO 444 FIRM                                                           15-4-53  12-10-54    5-7-72 transferred to the Philippines
MSO 445 FORCE                                                          26-6-53    4-1-55   24-4-73 lost to fire
MSO 446 FORTIFY                    Seattle, SB & DD         30-11-51   14-2-53   16-7-54  19-11-88 decomm.
MSO 447 GUIDE                                                          17-4-54                  71 transferred to Spain
MSO 448 ILLUSIVE                   Martinlock SB, San Diego 23-10-51   12-7-52  14-11-53  stricken before 92
MSO 449 IMPERVIOUS                 Martinlock SB, San Diego 18-11-51   29-8-52   15-7-54  stricken before 92
MSO 450 MDAP built for France
MSO 451 MDAP built for France; subsequently transferred to Uruguay (1970)
MSO 452 MDAP built for France
MSO 453 MDAP built for France
MSO 454 MDAP built for France
MSO 455 IMPLICIT                   Wilmington Boat Wks.     29-10-51    1-8-53   10-3-54    8-7-89 decomm.
MSO 456 INFLICT                    Wilmington Boat Wks.     29-10-51   6-10-53   11-5-54  stricken before 92
MSO 457 LOYALTY                                                       22-11-53   11-6-54    1-7-72 decomm.
MSO 458 LUCID                                                         14-11-53    4-5-55   stricken before 73
MSO 459 NIMBLE                                                          6-8-54   11-5-55   stricken before 73
MSO 460 NOTABLE                                                       15-10-54              1-2-71 decomm.
MSO 461 OBSERVER                                                      19-10-54   31-8-55   stricken before 73
MSO 462 PINNACLE                                                        3-1-55  21-10-55   stricken before 73
MSO 463 PIVOT                                                           9-1-54              1-7-71 transferred to Spain
MSO 464 PLUCK                      Wilmington Boat Wks.      31-3-52    6-2-54   11-8-54  23-12-88 decomm.
MSO 465 PRESTIGE                                                       30-4-54             23-8-58 stranded, Inland Sea, total loss
MSO 466 PRIME                                                          27-5-54  11-10-54   stricken before 73; transferred to Thailand
MSO 467 REAPER                                                         25-6-54  10-11-54   15-5-70 decomm; transferred to Thailand
MSO 468 RIVAL                                                          15-8-54              1-2-71 decomm.
MSO 469 SAGACITY                                                       20-2-54             1-10-70 lost to grounding
MSO 470 SALUTE                                                         14-8-54              1-2-71 decomm.
MSO 471 SKILL                                                17-8-53   23-4-55   7-11-55   stricken before 73
MSO 472 VALOR                                                          13-5-53              1-2-71 decomm.
MSO 473 VIGOR                                                          24-6-53   8-11-54    5-4-72 transferred to Spain
MSO 474 VITAL                                                          12-8-54    9-6-55   stricken before 73
MSO 475 MDAP built for France
MSO 476 MDAP built for France
MSO 477 MDAP built for France
MSO 478 MDAP built for Portugal
MSO 479 MDAP built for Portugal
MSO 480 MDAP built for the Netherlands
MSO 481 MDAP built for the Netherlands
MSO 482 MDAP built for the Netherlands
MSO 483 MDAP built for the Netherlands
MSO 484 MDAP built for the Netherlands
MSO 485 MDAP built for the Netherlands
MSO 486 MDAP built for Portugal
MS0 487 MDAP built for Portugal
MSO 488 CONQUEST                   J. M. Martinac            26-3-53   20-5-54   20-7-55  sked for decomm by 7/94
MSO 489 GALLANT                    J. M. Martinac            21-5-53    4-6-54   14-9-55  stricken before 93
MSO 490 LEADER                     J. M. Martinac            22-9-53   15-9-54  16-11-55  stricken before 92
MSO 491 PERSISTANT                                           17-6-54   23-4-55              1-7-71 transferred to Spain
MSO 492 PLEDGE                     J. M. Martinac            24-6-54   20-7-55   20-4-56  stricken before 93
MSO 493 STALWART                                             22-6-54   3-12-55              1-3-67 capsized & sunk after fire, San Juan
MSO 494 STURDY                                              15-10-54   28-1-56  23-10-57   stricken before 73
MSO 495 SWERVE                                              20-12-54   1-11-55   27-7-57   stricken before 73
MSO 496 VENTURE                                              11-1-55  27-11-56    3-2-58   stricken before 73
MSO 497 cancelled prior to being built
MSO 498 MDAP built for Norway; subsequently transferred to Belgium
MSO 499 MDAP built for Norway; subsequently transferred to Belgium
MSO 500 MDAP built for France
MSO 501 MDAP built for France
MSO 502 MDAP built for France
MSO 503 MDAP built for Belgium
MSO 504 MDAP built for Belgium
MSO 505 MDAP built for France
MSO 506 MDAP built for Italy                                          13-11-54        56
MSO 507 MDAP built for Italy                                           19-2-55        56
«» 11 Acme class oceangoing minesweepers
MSO 508 ACME       Frank L. Sample, Jr. Inc, Boothbay Harbor, Maine    23-6-55   27-9-56        73 decomm.
MSO 509 ADROIT                    Frank Sample Inc, Boothbay Harbor    20-8-55    4-3-57  stricken before 93
MSO 510 ADVANCE                   Frank Sample Inc, Boothbay Harbor    12-7-57   16-6-58        73 decomm.
MSO 511 AFFRAY                    Frank Sample Inc, Boothbay Harbor   18-12-56   8-12-58   18-7-89 decomm.
MSO 512 MDAP built for France
MSO 513 MDAP built for France
MSO 514 MDAP built for France
MSO 515 MDAP built for Belgium
MSO 516 MDAP built for Belgium
MSO 517 MDAP built for Italy
MSO 518 MDAP built for Italy
«» 4 Ability class oceangoing minesweepers
MSO 519 ABILITY       Petersen Builders Inc., Sturgeon Bay    5-3-56  29-12-56   14-8-58    1-2-71 decomm.
MSO 520 ALACRITY                 Petersen SB, Sturgeon Bay    3-5-56    8-6-57   2-10-58    reclassified as research ship, AGS-520
MSO 521 ASSURANCE                Petersen SB, Sturgeon Bay   28-6-57   31-8-57  21-11-58    reclassified as research ship, AGS-521
MSO 522 MDAP built for Belgium   Petersen SB, Sturgeon Bay        58               12-60
D: 716 tons light (853 fl) S: 14 kts Dim:52.42 x 10.97 x 4.2
A: 1-40 mm. see Remarks 2/12.7-mm mg (I x 2) Range: 2,400/10
Electron Equipt: Radar: SPS-53E or L--Sonar: UQS-1, later SQQ-14 minehunting sonars
M: 4 Packard or Waukesha L-1616 diesels; 2 CP props; 2,280/2,400 hp Fuel: 48 tons
Man: 8 officers, 70 men (Naval Reserve Force ships: 3 officers, 36 men + 3 officers and 44 men Reserves)

REMARKS: 100 of these vessels were originally built, cost $3.5 million in 1951. Designated as Wooden Minesweepers [AM], they were reclassifed to Minesweeper, Ocean (non-magnetic) in Feb. 1955. Wooden construction; nonmagnetic, stainless-steel machinery. Hoist machinery for the SQQ-14 minehunting sonar occupies the position of the former 40-mm AA gun. Hull nos. 450-454, 475-487, 498-507, 512-518 and 522 were built in the U.S. under the Mutual Defense Assistance Program; no U.S. names were allocated. 15 were transferred to France, 6 to the Netherlands, 4 to Portugal, 5 to Belgium, 2 to Norway, and 4 to Italy. Many of these ships have been transferred to other navies after having been paid off by their original service.

428,429,430,431 had 2 General Motors diesels at 1520 hp; 496, at 1,200 hp; 508-511 fitted with 2 GM diesels at 2,800 hp; 519-522 at 2,700 hp. 508-511, 519-521 had 2 diesels (Packard or GM) at 2,800/2,700 hp and were fitted out as division flagships.

Modernization commenced in 1968, the plan calling for all of the Ability class, Acme class and Agileclass being re-engined with four Waukesha diesels, SQQ-14 minehunting sonar to replace the UQS-1 and the 40 mm. gun and built up bridge structure for command and control. Thirteen of the Agile class (433, 437-438, 441-443, 445-446, 448-449, 456, 488 and 490) were re-engined with Waukesha diesels; the remainder of the survivors (MSO 427, 439, 440, 455, 464, 489, and 492) retained Packard lD1700 diesels, totaling 2,280 hp; those ships displace 684 tons light, 762 full load. All the survivors were given very thorough rehabilitations during the early to mid-1970s, receiving semi-enclosed bridges, and an enlarged superstructures abaft the bridge, SQQ-14 minehunting sonars, new communications gear, and upgraded accommodations. The SPS-53 radars were eventually replaced by SPS-64(V)9. Because of costs, the modernization plans were cancelled in 1970 for the Ability and Agile class.

Following construction of MSO-522 in 1960, more were planned, but never built in 1964 (523-526), in 1967 (523-531), and in 1971 (523-538) before plans changed to build the MCM class in 1979. The keel for MCM-1 was laid in 1983 and she was placed in commission in 1985.

In 1975 MSO 440 was equipped with the prototype SSN-2 precise-navigation system for the new MCM class, and in 1980 MSO 443 received the prototype SQQ-30 sonar, being developed for the MCM 1 class.

All MSO-class minesweepers have left service with the U.S. Navy, though a number remain in service in foreign navies. The names of the following foreign service ships of this class are as follows:

French Navy: Adelaide Class

                                   Bldr                    Laid down  Launched  In serv.  Dispostion

Royal Netherlands Navy: Adelaide Class

                                   Bldr                    Laid down  Launched  In serv.  Dispostion

Portugese Navy: Adelaide Class

                                   Bldr                    Laid down  Launched  In serv.  Dispostion

Belgian Navy: Adelaide Class

                                   Bldr                    Laid down  Launched  In serv.  Dispostion

Norwegian Navy: Adelaide Class

                                   Bldr                    Laid down  Launched  In serv.  Dispostion

Italian Navy: Adelaide Class

                                   Bldr                    Laid down  Launched  In serv.  Dispostion

Spanish Navy: Santa María Class

                                   Bldr                    Laid down  Launched  In serv.  Dispostion

Taiwanese Navy: Cheng Kung Class

                                   Bldr                    Laid down  Launched  In serv.  Dispostion

Peruvian Navy: Adelaide Class

                                   Bldr                    Laid down  Launched  In serv.  Dispostion

Philippine Navy: Adelaide Class

                                   Bldr                    Laid down  Launched  In serv.  Dispostion

Royal Thai Navy: Adelaide Class

                                   Bldr                    Laid down  Launched  In serv.  Dispostion

Uruguayan Navy: Adelaide Class

                                   Bldr                    Laid down  Launched  In serv.  Dispostion

[Data in this section is combined from both the reference and Jane's Fighting Ships, annual editions 1953-1995, (© by Jane's Information Group Limited).]


GUIDED-MISSILE FRIGATES

«» 33 ( + 18) Oliver Hazard Perry class (SCN 207/2081 type)

                                   Bldr                    Laid down  Launched  In serv.
FFG 7 OLIVER HAZARD PERRY          Bath Iron Works           6-12-75   9-25-76  30-11-77
FFG 8 McINERNEY                    Bath Iron Works           16-1-78   4-11-78  15-12-79
FFG 9 WADSWORTH                    Todd, San Pedro           13-7-77   29-7-78   28-2-80
FFG 10 DUNCAN                      Todd, Seattle             29-4-77    1-3-78   24-5-80
FFG 11 CLARK                       Bath Iron Works           17-7-78   24-3-79   17-5-80
FFG 12 GEORGE PHILIP               Todd, San Pedro          14-12-77  16-12-78  18-11-80
FFG 13 SAMUEL ELIOT MORISON        Bath Iron Works           4-12-78   14-7-79  11-10-80
FFG 14 SIDES                       Todd, San Pedro            7-8-78   19-5-79   30-5-81
FFG 15 ESTOCIN                     Bath Iron Works            2-4-79   3-11-79   10-1-81
FFG 16 CLIFTON SPRAGUE             Bath Iron Works           30-7-79   16-2-80   21-3-81
FFG 19 JOHN A. MOORE               Todd, San Pedro          19-12-78  20-10-79  14-11-81
FFG 20 ANTRIM                      Todd, Seattle             21-6-78   27-3-79   26-9-81
FFG 21 FLATLEY                     Bath Iron Works          13-11-79   15-5-80   20-6-81
FFG 22 FAHRION                     Todd, Seattle             1-12-78   24-8-79   16-1-82
FFG 23 LEWIS B. PULLER             Todd, San Pedro           23-5-79   15-3-80   17-4-82
FFG 24 JACK WILLIAMS               Bath Iron Works           26-2-80   30-8-80   19-9-81
FFG 25 COPELAND                    Todd, San Pedro          24-10-79   26-7-80    7-8-82
FFG 26 GALLERY                     Bath Iron Works           17-5-80  20-12-80   5-12-81
FFG 27 MAHLON S. TISDALE           Todd, San Pedro           19-3-80    7-2-81  13-11-82
FFG 28 BOONE                       Todd, Seattle             27-3-79   16-1-80   15-5-82
FFG 29 STEPHEN W. GROVES           Bath Iron Works           16-9-80    4-4-81   17-4-82
FFG 30 REID                        Todd, San Pedro           8-10-80   27-6-81   19-2-83
FFG 31 STARK                       Todd, Seattle             24-8-79   30-5-80  23-10-82
FFG 32 JOHN L. HALL                Bath Iron Works            5-1-81   24-7-81   26-6-82
FFG 33 JARRETT                     Todd, San Pedro           11-2-81  17-10-81    2-7-83
FFG 34 AUBREY FITCH                Bath Iron Works           10-4-81  17-10-81   9-10-82
FFG 36 UNDERWOOD                   Bath Iron Works           30-7-81    6-2-89   29-1-83
FFG 37 CROMMELIN                   Todd, Seattle             30-5-80    1-7-81   18-6-83
FFG 38 CURTS                       Todd, San Pedro            1-7-81    6-3-82   8-10-83
FFG 39 DOYLE                       Bath Iron Works          16-11-81   22-5-82   21-5-83
FFG 40 HALYBURTON                  Todd, Seattle             26-9-80  13-10-81    7-1-84
FFG 41 MCCLUSKEY                   Todd, San Pedro          21-10-81   18-9-82  10-12-83
FFG 42 KLAKRING                    Bath Iron Works           19-2-89   18-9-82   20-8-83
FFG 43 THACH                       Todd, San Pedro            6-3-82  18-12-82      3-84
FFG 45 DE WERT                     Bath Iron Works           14-6-82  18-12-82  19-11-83
FFG 46 RENTZ                       Todd, San Pedro           18-9-82   16-7-83      6-84
FFG 47 NICHOLAS                    Bath Iron Works           27-9-82   23-4-83   10-3-84
FFG 48 VANDERGRIFT                 Todd, Seattle            13-10-81  15-10-82   11-9-84
FFG 49 ROBERT E. BRADLEY           Bath Iron Works          28-12-82   13-8-83   11-8-84**
FFG 50 TAYLOR                      Bath Iron Works            5-5-83   5-11-83   1-12-84**
FFG 51 GARY                        Todd, San Pedro          18-12-82  19-11-83**17-11-84**
FFG 52 CARR                        Todd, Seattle             26-3-82   26-2-83** 27-7-85**
FFG 53 HAWES                       Bath Iron Works           22-8-83   18-2-84**  9-2-85**
FFG 54 FORD                        Todd, San Pedro           16-7-83   23-6-84** 29-6-85**
FFG 65 ELROD                       Bath Iron Works          21-11-83** 12-5-84** 18-5-85**
FFG 56 SIMPSON                     Bath Iron Works           27-2-84** 21-8-84** 10-8-85**
FFG 57 REUBEN JAMES                Todd, San Pedro          19-11-83**  8-2-85** 22-3-86**
FFG 58 SAMUEL B. ROBERTS           Bath Iron Works           21-5-84** 8-12-84** 12-4-86**
FFG 59 KAUFFMAN**                  Bath Iron Works            8-4-85** 29-3-86** 27-2-87**
FFG 60 RODNEY M. DAVIS             Todd, San Pedro            8-2-85** 11-1-86**  9-5-87**
FFG 61 INGRAHAM**                  Todd, San Pedro**         30-3-87** 25-6-88**  5-8-89**
D: 2,769 tons light (3,658 fl); FFG 8, 36-61: 2,851 tons light (3,740 fl)
S: 29 kts (30.6 trials)
Dim: 135.64; FFG 8, 36-58: 138.80 (125.9 wl) x 13.72 x 4.52 (7.47 max.)
A: 1/Mk 13 Mod. 4 launcher (4 Harpoon and 36 Standard SM-1 MR missiles)--1/76-mm Mk 75 DP; FFG 27-G1: 1/20-mm Mk 15 CIWS--6/324-mm ASW TT (III x 2)--1/SH-2F LAMPS-I (FFG 8, 36-61:2 SH-60B LAMPS-III) ASW helicopters
Electron Equipt: Radar: 1/SPS-55, 1/SPS-49(V)2, 1/Mk 92 Mod. 4, 1/STIR (SPG-60 Mod.) Sonar: 1/SQS-6--TACAN: URN-2 ECM: SLQ-32(V)2, Mk 36 SRBOC chaff RL (VI X 2)
M: 2 G.E. LM-2500 gas turbines; 1 5.5-rn diameter CP, 6-bladed prop; 41,000 hp (40,000 sust.)-2 drop-down prolpulsors; 700 hp
Electric: 3,000 kw Fuel: 587 tons + 64 tons helicopter fuel
Range: 4,700/20 Man: 17 officers, 15 chief petty officers, 183 men

REMARKS: Although these ships were intended to operate the LAMPS-III ASW helicopter, the first twenty-six of them (less FFG 8) lack the equipment necessary to handle them and will retain LAMPS-I. Beginning with the FY 73 ships (FFG 36 and later), helicopter support equipment is aboard on completion; fin stabilizers, RAST (Recovery Assistance, Securing, and Traversing Ssytem, not fitted as completed until FFG 50), and other systems. The RAST system permits helicopter Launch and recovery with the ship rolling through 28 degrees and pitching 5 degrees. The equipment was first installed in McInerney FFG 8), which was reconstructed, completing 12-2-81 at Bath Iron Works, to act as LAMPS-III/SH-60B Sea Hawk helicopter trials ship; the stern was lengthened by 2.9 m (the extension being slightly lower than the flight deck, to accomodate mooring equipment by changing the rake of the stern. FFG 26 conducted fin stabilizer trials in 1982. Beginning with FFG 36, SQR-18A TACTASS towed passive hydrophone arrays will be aboard ships when the ships complete; earlier units may be backfitted; SQR-19 was originally planned. The Mk 15 CIWS (Close-In Weapon System) 20-mm Vulcan/Phalanx will be backfitted into FFG 7-26 in 1986-88. Two Mk 24 optical target designators (mounted in tubs atop the pilothouse) were not fitted to the ships as completed until FFG 27 and have been backfitted in the earlier ships. FFG7 was originally numbered PF 109. Speed on one turbine is 25 knots; the auxiliary power system uses two retractable pods located well forward and can drive the ships at up to 6 knots. The Mk 92 Mod. 4 fire-control system controls missile- and 76-mm gun fire; it uses a STIR (modified SPG-60) antenna and a U.S.-built version of the Signaal Apparaaten WM-28 radar forward, and can track four separate targets. The Mk 92 system is programmed for three stages of improvement; the first, given trials in FFG 29 in 1983, will be backfitted to all by 10-84 as the "Near-Term Improvement," along with Standard SM-1 MR Block 6 missiles. The Mk 75 gun is a license-built version of the OTO Melara Compact. A Mk 13 weapons-direction system is fitted. The only ship launched ASW ordnance is the Mk 46 torpedoes in the two triple torpedo tubes. These ships are particularly well protected against splinter and fragmentation damage, with 3/4-inch aluminum-alloy armor over magazine spaces, 5/8-in steel over the main engine-control room, and 3/4-inch Kevlar plastic armor over vital electronics and command spaces.

Original complement was planned at 17 officers, 167 men, which was found to be too many officers but far too few enlisted men to run and maintain the ships. Therefore, FFG 19 and up are fitted with 30 additional enlisted bunks, with the others to be backfitted.

FFG 17, 18, 35, and 44 of this class were built by Todd, Seattle, for Australia, which plans to build up to 6 more in-country. Spain is building five.

The Navy had hoped to phase out construction of this class with the FY 83 ships, FFG 59 and 60, but Congress authorized (but did not fully fund) FFG 61 in FY 84; this ship is mandated to have the as yet unbuilt and untested Sperry Phase-III update to the Mk 92 f.c.s., adding four fixed phased-array radar panels (two facing the after quadrants on a mast platform and two covering the forward quadrants atop the bridge). Since the original Mk 92 arrays and the SPS-49 are to be retained, the design would appear to be grossly overloaded.

Already possessing a "surplus" of frigates, the U. S. Navy has no immediate plans for new construction in this category.

[Items marked ** above have been updated from Combat Fleets by reference to Jane's Fighting Ships, 1995-96 edition, ed. by Captain Richard Sharpe OBE RN (© 1995 by Jane's Information Group Limited ISBN 0-7106-1254-0). Additionally, the names of the following foreign service ships of this class are as follows:

Royal Australian Navy: Adelaide Class

                                   Bldr                     Laid down Launched  In serv.
FFG 01 HMAS ADELAIDE (ex-FFG-17)   Todd, San Pedro          ........  ........  ........
FFG 02 HMAS CANBERRA (ex-FFG-18)   Bath Iron Works          ........  ........  ........
FFG 03 HMAS SIDNEY  (ex-FFG-35)    Bath Iron Works          ........  ........  ........
FFG 04 HMAS DARWIN  (ex-FFG-44)    Todd, San Pedro          ........  ........  ........
FFG 05 HMAS MELBOURNE              (license built)          ........  ........  ........
FFG 06 HMAS NEWCASTLE              (license bulit)          ........  ........  ........

Spanish Navy: Santa María Class (all license built in Spain)

                                   Bldr                     Laid down Launched  In serv.
F 81 SN SANTA MARIA                Bazan, Ferrol (Spain)     23MAY82   24NOV84   12OCT86
F 82 SN VICTORIA                   Bazan, Ferrol (Spain)     16AUG83   23JUL86   11NOV87
F 83 SN NUMANCIA                   Bazan, Ferrol (Spain)     08JAN86   30JAN87   08NOV88
F 84 SN REINA SOFIA                Bazan, Ferrol (Spain)     12DEC87   19JUL89   18OCT90
     (ex-America)
F 85 SN NAVARRA                    Bazan, Ferrol (Spain)     15APR91   23OCT92   30MAY94
F 86 SN CANARIAS                   Bazan, Ferrol (Spain)     15APR92   21JUN93   14DEC94

Notes: The original plan to build four more has been shelved and the last two have been delayed by a shortage of funds. Based on the US FFG 7 Oliver Perry class although broader in the beam and therefore able to carry more topweight. Fin stabilisers fitted. RAST helicopter handling system. Navarra and Canarias have an indigenous combat system thereby increasing national inputs to 75 per cent. They also have improved fire control system.

Taiwanese Navy: Cheng Kung Class (all license built in Taiwan)

                                 Bldr                       Laid down Launched  In serv.
F 1101 CHENG KUNG                China SB Corp (Kaohsiung)   07JAN90   05OCT91   07MAR93
F 1103 CHENG HO                  China SB Corp (Kaohsiung)   21DEC90   15OCT92   28MAR94
F 1105 CHI KUANG                 China SB Corp (Kaohsiung)   04OCT91   27SEP93     MAY95
F 1106 YUEH FEI                  China SB Corp (Kaohsiung)   05SEP92   26AUG94     FEB96
F 1107 TZU-I                     China SB Corp (Kaohsiung)   07AUG94     JUL95     JAN97
F 1108 PAN CHAO                  China SB Corp (Kaohsiung)     JAN95     DEC95     DEC97
F 1109 CHANG CHIEN               China SB Corp (Kaohsiung)     DEC95     NOV96     NOV98

Notes: The first seven of the class are knowns as Flight I. Named after Chinese generals and warriors. Similar to the USS Ingraham. RAST helicopter hauldown. The area between the mast had to be strengthened to take teh Hsiung Feng II missles.


GUIDED-MISSILE DESTROYERS

«» 23 Charles F. Adams class (SCB 155 type) (modified ships*)

                                   Bldr                    Laid down  Launched  In serv.
DDG 2 CHARLES F. ADAMS             Bath Iron Works           16-6-58    8-9-59   10-9-60
DDG 3 JOHN KING                    Bath Iron Works           25-8-58   30-1-60    4-2-61
DDG 4 LAWRENCE                     New York SB              27-10-58   27-2-60    6-1-62
DDG 5 CLAUDE V.                    New York SB               18-5-59   16-4-60    5-5-62
      RICKETTS (ex-Biddle)
DDG 6 BARNEY                       New York SB               18-8-59  10-12-60   11-8-62
DDG 7 HENTRY B. WILSON             Defoe SB                  28-2-58   22-4-59  17-12-60
DDG 8 LYNDE MCCORMICK              Defoe SB                   4-4-58    9-9-60    3-6-61
DDG 9 TOWERS                       Todd, Seattle              1-4-58   23-4-59   24-6-61
DDG 10 SAMPSON                     Bath Iron Works            2-3-59    9-9-60   24-6-61
DDG 11 SELLERS                     Bath Iron Works            3-8-59    9-9-60  28-10-61
DDG 12 ROBISON                     Defoe SB                  23-4-59   27-4-60   9-12-61
DDG 13 HOEL                        Defoe SB                   1-6-59    4-8-60   16-6-62
DDG 14 BUCHANAN                    Todd, Seattle             23-4-59   11-5-60    7-2-62
DDG 15 BERKELEY                    New York SB                1-6-60   29-7-61  15-12-62
DDG 16 JOSEPH STRAUSS              New York SB              27-12-60   9-12-61   20-4-63
DDG 17 CONYNGHAM                   New York SB                1-5-61   19-5-62   13-7-63
DDG 18 SEMMES                      Avondale SY               18-8-60   20-5-61  10-12-62
DDG 19 TATTNALL*                   Avondale SY              14-11-60   26-8-61   13-4-63
DDG 20 GOLDSBOROUGH*               Puget Sound SB & DD        3-1-61  15-12-61   9-11-63
DDG 21 COCHRANE                    Puget Sound SB & DD       31-7-61   18-7-62   21-3-64
DDG 22 BENJAMIN                    Puget Sound SB & DD       11-6-62    8-1-63   12-9-64
       STODDERT*
DDG 23 RICHARD E. BYRD             Todd, Seattle             12-4-61    6-2-62    7-3-64
DDG 24 WADDELL                     Todd, Seattle              6-2-62   26-2-63   28-8-64
Authorized: 8 in FY 57, 5 in FY 58, 5 in FY 59. 3 in FY 60. and 2 in FY 61
D: 3,570 tons light (4,825 fl) S: 31.5 kts
Dim: 133.19 (128.0 u-l) x 14.32 x 6.1 (8.3 over sonar)
A: 1/Mk 11 twin missile launcher or, beginning with DDG 16, 1/Mk 13 single launcher (4-6 Harpoon and 34-36 Standard SM-1 MR missiles)--2/127-mm Mk 42 DP (I x 2)--1/Mk 116 ASROC ASW RL (VIII x 1)--6/324-mm Mk 32 ASW TT (III x 2)
Electron Equipt: Radar: 1/SPS-l0F, 1/SPS-40B/D (see remarks), 1/SPS-39A or 52B, 2/SPG-51C, 1/SPG-53A
Sonar: SQQ-23A or 1/SQS-23A (hull-mounted in DDG 2 to DDG 19; bow-mounted in DDG 20 to DDG 24)
ECM: WLR-1F, ULQ-6B (refitted ships: SLQ-32(V)2, SLQ-20, Mk 36 SRBOC (III x 4)
TACAN: SRN-25
M: 2 sets GT; 2 props; 70,000 hp
Electric: 2,200 kw (DDG 19, 20, 22; 3,000 kw)
Boilers: 4; 84 kg/cm2, 520C Fuel: 900 tons
Range: 1,600/30; 6,000/14 Man: 20-24 officers, 319-330 men

REMARKS: Sisters DDG 25, DDG 26, and DDG 27, built at the Defoe Shipbuilding Company, Bay City, Michigan, were ordered by Australia; DDG 28, DDG 29, and DDG 30 were built at Bath Iron Works for the West German Navy. Ships with bowmounted sonars have stem-mounted anchors. Most have been backfitted with an ASROC ASW missile reload magazine (with 4 missiles) beside the forward stack, to starboard. It was planned to give these ships a badly needed modernization, beginning with DDG 3 under FY 80. Costs rose enormously, and the program was cut to ten, permitting them to operate for another fifteen to twenty years. Congressional reluctance to spend $221 million per ship (equal to the cost of a new FFG 7 class frigate) forced cancellation of even the reduced program.

The full modernization program has been cut to only three ships, DDG 19, 20, and 22. DDG 19 underwent conversion 31-8-81 to 28-11-82 at Philadelphia; DDG 20 and 22 converting at Pearl Harbor 4-83 to 7-84 and 4-84 to 8-85. Changes include: replacement of the Mk 68 GFCS with Mk 86 Mod. 8 (with 1/SPQ-9A and 1/SPG-GO radar); SLQ-32(V)2, SLQ-20, and Mk 36 SRBOC replacing the original suite; the original missile f.c.s. replaced by Mk 74 Mod. 4, with the Weapons Direction System Mk 13 Mod. 4 replacing the original Mk 4; the addition of the SYS-1 data system with UYA-4 NTDS; upgrading the search radar suite to: 1/LN-66, 1/SPS-10D, 1/SPS-40D, and SPS-52C; improving the communications suite; and increasing the output of the four generator sets to 750 kw each. The ships can direct 3 Standard missiles simultaneously, using the SPG-60.

The non-conversion ships are also being upgraded during regular overhauls: SPS-40 has replaced the SPS-37 originally fitted to the first 13 ships in at least 5 units to date; SLQ-32(V)2 is replacing the WLR-1F and ULQ-6B suite, and Mk 36 SRBOC chaff launchers arebeing added (permitting the deletion of one mast platform); SRN-25 lightweight TACAN is replacing SRN-6; the Mk 68 GFCS is receiving a digital computer system in DDG 4-6, 8-12, 15, 18, and 21; SPS-39A radars are being replaced by SPS-52B (same antenna), and other improvements are being made to the communications suites. Only four ships have the SQQ-23 sonar.

In ships with Mk 11 launchers, 4 Harpoons are carried; in Mk 13-equipped ships, 6 are carried. Ships with Mk 11 launchers carry 4 Harpoons, the others 6. Several carry small navigational radars.

[Updating the reference: all Charles F Adams-class destroyers have left service with the U.S. Navy. Decommissioning dates are as follows:

DDG-2     01AUG90          DDG-14    .......
DDG-3     30MAR90          DDG-15    .......
DDG-4     30MAR90          DDG-16    01FEB90
DDG-5     ..JUN90          DDG-17    29OCT90
DDG-6     17DEC90          DDG-18    .......
DDG-7     ..SEP89          DDG-19    .......
DDG-8     .......          DDG-20    .....92
DDG-9     01OCT90          DDG-21    01OCT90
DDG-10    .......          DDG-22    .......
DDG-11    .......          DDG-23    27APR90
DDG-12    .......          DDG-24    .......
DDG-13    01OCT90
Information on the following foreign service ships of this class is taken from Jane's Fighting Ships, 1995-96 edition, ed. by Captain Richard Sharpe OBE RN (© 1995 by Jane's Information Group Limited ISBN 0-7106-1254-0), and private correspondance relative to the Hellenic Navy.

Royal Australian Navy: Perth Class

                                    Bldr                    Laid down Launched  In serv.
DDG 38 HMAS PERTH (ex-US DDG-38)    Defoe SB                 21SEP62   26SEP63   17JUL65
DDG 39 HMAS HOBART (ex-US DDG-39)   Defoe SB                 26OCT62   09JAN64   18DEC65
DDG 41 HMAS BRISBANE (ex-US DDG-41) Defoe SB                 15FEB65   05MAY66   16DEC67

Notes: Generally similar to the US Charles F Adams class, but they differ by the addition of a broad deckhouse between the funnels which was the magazine for then now deleted Ikara system. The magazine complex has been converted for a variety of uses, including accomodation and recreation spaces. The USS Goldsborough which was paid off in 1992 was acquired from the US to provide spares and equipment for training. The ship was scrapped in 1994. In 1990/91 all ships were fitted for Phalanx CIWS, although the mountings are maintained in a fleet pool system. To accomodate Phalanx the ship's boats have been replaced by RIBs.

German Navy: Lütjens Class

                                   Bldr                     Laid down Launched  In serv.
D 185 LUTJENS (ex-US DDG-28)       Bath Iron Works           01MAR66   11AUG67   22MAR69
D 186 MOLDERS (ex-US DDG-29)       Bath Iron Works           12APR66   12APR68   20SEP69
D 187 ROMMEL (ex-US DDG-30)        Bath Iron Works           22AUG67   01FEB69   02MAY70

Notes: Some differences from Charles F Adams in W/T areials and general outline, particularly the funnels. Modified to suit West German requirements and practice. 1965 contract. The Type 103B modernisation and other modifications included: installation of one single-arm Mk 13 launcher for Standard SAM and Harpoon SSM; improved fire control with digital in place of analog computers; higher superstructure abaft bridge with SPG 60 and SPQ 9 on a mast platform. RAM launchers are being fitted in front of the bridge and aft of the Mk 13 launcher. EW update in 1995/96.

Greek Navy: Kimon Class (all transferred from the U.S. Navy following decommissioning)
The Greek designation for this type of ship is A/T, for "antitorpilliko" ; roughly, "destroyer."

                                     Bldr                     Decomissioned   Recommissioned
D 218 KIMWN/"KEMON"                  Avondale Marine Ways       .......         12SEP91
      (ex-Semmes)
D 219 NEARXOS/"NEARCHOS"             Todd Shipyards             .......         01OCT92
      (ex-Waddell)
D 220 FORMIWN/"FORMION"              New York Shipbuilding      01FEB90         01OCT92
      (ex-Miltadis, ex-Joseph Stauss)
D 221 8EMISTOKLHS/"THEMISTOCLES"     New York Shipbuilding      .......         01OCT92
      (ex-Konon, ex-Berkely)

Notes: Leased as part of the Defence Co-Operation Agreement signed with the USA on 8 July 1990. Kimon recomissioned at Salamis, the remainder at San Diego prior to sailing for Greece. A fifth of class Richard E. Byrd (DDG 23) was towed to Salamis on 12 October 1993 where she is used for spares.]


AMPHIBIOUS WARFARE SHIPS

«» 5 Tarawa-class amphibious assault ships (SCB 410 type)

Bldr: Ingalls SB, Litton Ind., Pascagoula, Miss.

                                                           Laid down  Launched  In serv.
LHA 1 TARAWA                                                15-11-71   1-12-73   29-5-76
LHA 2 SAIPAN                                                 21-7-72   18-7-74  15-10-77
LHA 3 BELLEAU WOOD (ex-Philippine Sea)                        5-3-73   11-4-77   23-9-78
LHA 4 NASSAU (ex-Leyte Gulf)                                 13-8-73   21-1-78   28-7-79
LHA 5 PELELIU (ex-Da Nang, ex-Khe Sanh)                     12-11-76  25-11-78    3-6-80
Authorized: 1 in FY 69, 2 in FY 70, 2 in FY 71

D: 25,120 tons light (39,400 fl) S: 24 kts
Dim: 254.20 (237.14 pp) x 40.23 (32.31 wl) x 7.92
A: 2/Mk 25 Sea Sparrow launchers (VIII x 2)--3/127-mm 54-cal. Mk 45 DP (I x 3)--6/20-mm Mk 67 AA (I x 6)--typical: 16/CH-46, 6/CH-53 and 4/UH-1 helicopters
Electron Equipt: Radar: 1/SPS-53, 1/SPS-10F, 1/SPS-40B, 1/SPS-52B, 1/SPN-35, 1/SPG-60, 1/SPQ-9A, 2/Mk 115
ECM: LHA 1, 2: SLQ-32(V)3; others: WLR-1, 4/Mk 36 SRBOC chaff (VI x 4)
TACAN: URN-20; (LHA 1, 2: URN-25)
M: 2 sets Westinghouse GT; 2 props; 77,000 hp (70,000 sust.); 900-hp bow thruster
Electric: 14,600 kw (4 x 2,500 kw, 9 X 2,000 kw, 4 x 150 kw)
Boilers: 2 Combustion Engineering V2M-VS; 49.3 kg/cm2, 482C
Fuel: 5,900 tons
Range: 10,000/20 Man: 52 officers, 740 men + 179 officers, 1,731 troops

REMARKS: The LHA is a multipurpose assault transport, a combination of LPH and LPD. It has the general profile of an aircraft carrier, with its superstructure to starboard, flight deck, helicopter elevators to port (folding) and aft, and an 80 x 23.4-m well deck for landing craft (up to four LCU 1610 class). Two LCM(6) and two LCP are stowed on deck. Vehicle stowage garage forward of docking well totals 3,134 m2, and the palletized cargo holds total 3,311 m3. Carry approx. 1,200 tons JP-5 fuel for helicopters. The boilers are the largest ever installed in a U. S. Navy ship; the propulsion plant is highly automated. Communications systems include satellite antennas and a large, long-range, high-frequency, log-periodic array. LHA-4 carried 20 AV-8A Harrier V/STOL attack fighters as well as transport helicopters during a 1981 exercise. Very complete 300-bed hospital and mortuary facilities are fitted. All troops have bunks. Completely air-conditioned. Four additional units were canceled in 1971. The 127-mm guns are aboard primarily to provide shore fire support, but can also be used for AA; they are controlled by a Mk 86 Mod. 4 fire-control system with SPQ-9A radar for surface fire, SPG-60 for AA, and two unmanned electro-optical backup directors. Each Mk 25 Sea Sparrow launcher has an associated Mk 115 radar fire-control system with Mk 71 directors. All scheduled to receive two 20-mm Vulcan/Phalanx Gatling AA in place of the Sea Sparrow launchers starting about 1985 and SLQ-32(V)3 in place of their present ECM systems. Kevlar plastic armor added to all 1982-85. A bulbous forefoot (as on the Wasp-class LHD) is to be backfitted to improve endurance and one 127-mm gun is to be removed.


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