What is a frigate ... A frigate is a naval term for a class of warships

Ships are different. And each has its own name. Often one can hear the question: what is a frigate? What is the difference between this model and the rest? What is its purpose? All this will be discussed in this article.

Definition

What does "frigate" mean? This term is a class of ships of the naval type, which are designed to search for and destroy in the seas nuclear submarines. The frigate also serves to destroy anti-missile and anti-aircraft defense on aircraft carriers. The same word was called in the old days sailing ships.

From the history

So, what is a frigate? Previously, it was a warship with three masts and full sailing weapons. On it was one or two closed or open decks with guns. The frigate differed from the linear sailing ships in smaller sizes, as well as artillery armament. These vessels were designed for cruising or reconnaissance of long-range type. Thus, they were used both in the interests of the linear fleet, and in combat operations for the destruction or seizure of merchant ships. You can consider frigates as the ancestors of modern cruisers.

New time

What is a frigate now? This combat ship is a displacement of three to six thousand tons, which is equipped with a guided missile weapon. The main purpose of the ships is to fight with the underwater and air enemy at the time of escort of the main forces or important convoys. The frigate is a universal escort vessel that can operate at any distance from the coast. This definition was given in 1975 by the NATO classification.

In practice, the number of tasks of a ship of this class is much larger: from patrolling in open areas and the coastal zone to participation in wars as a fire support for ground troops. It should also add a demonstration of the flag, military campaigns, participation in search and rescue operations, as well as exercises.

Features of ships

The meaning of the word "frigate" in naval technology implies a compromise. After all, this modest combat ship can become a sort of "superhero". The meaning of the appearance of frigates is the economy in exchange for mass. The specificity of the tasks of the watch and escort implies a dispersion of forces. This requires reducing the cost of ships. Therefore, their combat capabilities are sacrificed for saving. In order not to go beyond the budget, engineers have to reduce the complex of weapons, to abandon many radio electronics systems. They replace high-grade hydroacoustic complexes and radars for analogs with significantly degraded characteristics.

Too dense layout and small dimensions have a bad effect on the ship's survivability. It has long become clear that modern frigates are incapacitated vessels that only pretend to be warships. The US military was able to make sure of this when their frigate could not repel an attack by one aircraft of the Iraqi military. He got two missiles aboard and almost sank. Suffered 37 sailors. Thus, the Americans flatly refused to further manufacture ships of the frigate class. Reviews, so to speak, are not very good.

In such a small building it was unrealistic to place all the necessary weapons and systems. In order for all characteristics to be at an acceptable level, a destroyer with a displacement of at least 8,000 tons is needed.

Frigates and scientific progress

But time does not stand still. And with it, and technological progress. Advances in microelectronics have made it possible to significantly reduce the size of radio engineering systems. Now small sizes have become an advantage. The frigate of the new century has become a universal combat ship, which is capable of participating in low-intensity military collisions, as well as performing almost all the tasks facing the navy in modern realities.

Undoubtedly, the frigate is inferior to the destroyer. But the Pentagon has unlimited finance, and the shipbuilders of the rest of the countries are forced to look for compromises and build efficient vessels without crazy expenses and with a minimum of necessary equipment.

Let's look at some modern models.

"Turkish gambit"

The displacement of this ship is more than four thousand tons. The crew includes 220 people. The ship accelerates to 30 knots due to two gas turbines. At a speed of 18 knots, the fuel reserve is five thousand miles.

The weapons system includes a fairly extensive arsenal. Here and launchers with anti-aircraft missiles, and artillery system, and torpedoes. There is also an anti-submarine helicopter.

Turkish frigates like G are actually made in the US, but later transferred to Turkey after 15 years of service. Outwardly they almost did not change, but the weapons and systems were modernized.

The advantages of Turkish frigates are a very good anti-aircraft gunshot and high autonomy.

The disadvantages are the obsolete structure and the single-shaft scheme.

Ships "Talvar"

What is the Talvar frigate? This vessel with a displacement of 4 thousand tons and a crew of 180 people. Full speed is also 30 knots. The cost of one vessel is 500 million dollars. A lot, but not very much for this technique. The armament system includes cruise missiles, launcher and missile-artillery system, bombomet, torpedo tubes. Also on board there is a helicopter.

This is a series of six frigates that were built in Russia, but belong to India. The base was the Soviet developments in the field of shipbuilding. Thus, "Talwar", having acquired new modern electronics and weapons, has turned into one of the most interesting ships of the new century. It is relatively inexpensive, efficient and uncomplicated.

Pluses:

• Strong armament.
• Versatility.

Disadvantages:

• Limited air defense capabilities.
• Small stock of fuel.

The Singapore frigate is from France

The ship's displacement is 3200 tons, and the crew is 90 people. Full speed reaches 27 knots.

The armament includes anti-aircraft missiles, anti-ship weapons, artillery, torpedoes. On board there is a helicopter for fighting boats.

These are the most modern combat type ships in all of Southeast Asia. Six Singapore frigates, which are of the "Formidade" type, have the most modern technical solutions and unique electronics. Their weapons system is one of the most effective in the modern world. In the guise of the traces of French frigates, as they are their modifications.

A French ship appeared in 1996. The name is Lafayette. It immediately intrigued, because the technology "stealth" was used for the first time. For the frigate, this was an innovation. In addition, there were decent weapons on board, and the seaworthiness was excellent. Thus, the shipbuilders received a huge number of orders, worldwide modifications have spread. Each differed from others in its own set of equipment and weapons. After all, the basic design allowed us to fulfill any wishes of customers. Other things being equal, the Singapore option was the most successful.

Summing up, it is worth recalling that the frigate is a naval term, which stands for an easy warship designed for a variety of operations. Over time, models have improved, and perhaps in the future frigates will become quite a formidable force of the navy.