Frigates, Cruisers, and Destroyers in the US Navy

Most people today know what battleships, aircraft carriers, and submarines are. But what about destroyers, cruisers, and frigates? Which are the biggest and what are they used for? When reading an article or story involving our modern navy, it is helpful to have an idea of what types of ships are involved. In this article, I will cover the main surface warships used in our current US Navy.

Reclassification

In 1975, the US Navy reclassified its ships. This was in response to a "cruiser gap" that only existed on paper when comparing the Soviet and US navies. The cause of this was due to the Soviet classification of cruiser being different than the American one. In the US Navy, a cruiser was a large ship, smaller than a battleship, but designed for front line combat. The Soviets classified a cruiser as a small escort vessel.

On paper, the Soviets had many more "cruisers" than the Americans did, but due to the major difference in size and capability of these ships, there really was no "gap". Regardless of the reality of the situation, the Navy felt it was necessary to reclassify their ships so that relative strength could be better analyzed in comparison to the Soviet fleet.

Frigates

The smallest surface warship in the US fleet is the frigate. Frigates are powered by conventional gas-turbine propulsion. All modern frigates are of the guided missile variety and thus have the class designation of FFG. The modern frigate has taken over the role of the WWII era destroyer or destroyer escort. They are designed for escorting shipping and anti-submarine warfare.

A typical frigate has a crew of 17 officers and 198 enlisted personnel. The ship can travel at a speed of over 29 knots (33 mph), and is 445 feet long by 45 feet wide at its widest point. It is armed with 6 Mark 46 torpedoes, 1 76mm rapid fire gun, and a Phalanx CIWS anti-missile system ("R2D2 gun"). A frigate can also carry up to two SH-60 Sea hawk helicopters on air-capable ships.

The only frigate class in use today is the Oliver Hazard Perry Class. There are 30 commissioned frigates in the current fleet. Examples of operational frigates include the USS Nicholas (FFG 47) in Norfolk, VA, and the USS Reuben James (FFG 57) in Pearl Harbor, HI.

Destroyers

Next in size are the destroyers. All destroyers are powered by conventional gas-turbine propulsion and are of the guided missile type, giving them a designation of DDG. Destroyers, unlike in WWII, now are a main combat ship, capable of surface warfare, battle group operations, strike operations, and amphibious support operations.

There are two classes of destroyer, the Arleigh Burke Class and the Zumwalt Class, although only AB class are in operation, while the new USS Zumwalt is under construction. The Arleigh Burke destroyers have a crew of 276 sailors and can travel in excess of 30 knots (over 34 mph). They are just over 500 feet long by 59 feet wide at the widest point. Their armament includes a 5-inch Mk 45 gun, Mk 46 torpedoes launched from 2 triple-tube mounts, Tomahawk cruise missiles, SM-2MR missiles, anti-submarine ASROC missiles, and a Phalanx CIWS anti-missile system.

The Arleigh Burke destroyers can also support multiple weapon configurations and even carry up to two SH-60 Sea hawk helicopters. Currently, there are 57 commissioned, with 4 more in pre-commissioning phase. Examples of currently operating Arleigh Burke destroyers are the USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) in Yokosuka, Japan, the USS Porter (DDG 78) in Norfolk, VA, and the USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53) in San Diego, CA.

Cruisers

The largest combat vessel in today's Navy is the cruiser. Replacing a role formerly held by the monstrous battleships of the past, the modern cruiser is primarily designed for battle group operations, although like all naval vessels, can support a a great number of missions. All cruisers are powered by conventional gas-turbine propulsion and are guided-missile type ships, giving them the designation of CG.

There is only one class of cruiser in the current navy, the Ticonderoga Class. These ships carry a crew of 24 officers and 340 enlisted personnel, and are able to cruise at over 30 knots (over 34 mph). They are 567 feet long by 55 feet wide at their widest point. Their armament includes SM-2MR missiles launched from Mk 41 VLS, anti-submarine ASROC missiles, Tomahawk cruise missiles, two 5-inch guns, two triple torpedo mounts for Mk 46 torpedoes, and 2 Phalanx CIWS anti-missile systems.

The Ticonderoga Class cruisers also carry two SH-60 Sea hawk helicopters. There are currently 22 cruisers in the fleet. Examples of currently operating Ticonderoga Class cruisers include the USS Normandy (CG 60) in Norfolk, VA, the USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) in Mayport, FL, and the USS Shiloh (CG 67) in Yokosuka, Japan.

An Evolved Navy

As can be seen from the descriptions of these ships, the modern navy has a similar theme throughout its fleet. The days of gun battles and mammoth armored ships are gone, and have been replaced by missiles and aircraft. The battleship was supplanted by the aircraft carrier and the modern cruiser. Though the carriers are still the largest warships ever constructed, the remainder of the modern fleet are small to medium sized compared to the heavy cruisers and battleships of yesterday. But do not mistake the difference in size for one of power. Today's ships are capable of destruction on a scale unheard of in the navies of the second world war.

Sources
http://www.navy.mil/navydata/our_ships.asp