Fleet Air Arm
Association of Australia
Guided Missile Frigate
HMAS Newcastle
Sea King helicopter operating with the guided missile frigate HMAS Newcastle
The RAN has six guided missile frigates, based on the US Navy Oliver Hazard Perry design.
Each FFG ship is a long-range escort ship with roles including air defence, anti-submarine warfare, surveillance, interdiction and reconnaissance.
These ships were the first RAN ships to be powered by gas turbine for the main propulsion and can be underway from cold in less than 30 minutes.
The FFG's principal weapons are the Standard medium-range anti-aircraft missile and the Harpoon anti-ship missile. A 76mm gun to counter air and surface threats is fitted forward of the funnel and one 20mm Phalanx close-in-weapon-system for anti-missile defence is located above the helicopter hangers.
For long-range anti-submarine tasks, the FFG is equipped with a flight deck and hangers for two S-70B-2 Seahawk helicopters.
For close-in anti-submarine defence, the ships are fitted with two Mk32 triple torpedo tubes.
Statistics
Displacement: 4,100 tonnes
Length: 138 metres
Beam: 13.7 metres
Ships company: 186 (210 with helicopter crews)
Propulsion: two General Electric LM2500 gas turbines driving a single controllable pitch propeller
Speed: 30+ knots
Weapon systems: 76mm rapid fire gun; Harpoon anti-ship missiles; Standard surface-to-air missiles; Vulcan Phalanx close-in weapons system; two triple anti-submarine torpedo tubes for Mk 32 torpedoes
Aircraft: up to two Seahawk helicopters
See also:
Ships index