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USS Oliver Hazard Perry (FFG-7)

1977 COLD WAR

History of USS Oliver Hazard Perry (FFG-7)

The USS Oliver Hazard Perry was the first guided-missile frigate of her Oliver Hazard Perry class of ships. This type was designed and built in the late Cold War.

Its main task is to directly attack enemy submarines, and it is also responsible for providing maritime protection for aircraft carrier battle groups and escort fleets. The Oliver Hazard Perry class is still a very practical ship, and the USS Oliver Hazard Perry is still in service with the US Navy.

The modest armament of this class includes a wide range of anti-submarine, anti-ship and air defense weapon systems. Starting with 2 x Mark 32 torpedo tubes, these systems are designed for the Mark 46 and Mark 50 anti-submarine torpedoes. An OTO Melara 76mm gun is mounted amidships aft of the superstructure.

A Mk 13 anti-ship missile launcher is mounted near the bow in the forward part of the superstructure, and a 20mm Phalanx Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) provides immediate protection against incoming missiles and enemy aircraft. The shape of the class is characterized by its single-mast midship.

Aft is a helipad that can operate up to two SH-2 Seasprite or SH-60 Seahawk LAMPS III naval helicopters for active anti-submarine warfare.

The USS Oliver Hazard Perry is powered by two General Electric LM 2500-30 gas turbines, delivering up to 41,000 shaft horsepower on a single shaft. This is complemented by two retractable emergency drives for a combined 720 hp.

Sensors include sonar and radar systems, including the SQS-56 system and the SQR-19 towed sonar array as well as the AN/SPS-49 and AN/SPS-55 radar systems.

The

Oliver Hazard Perry-class armed frigates were built between 1975 and 2004, with the first ship in the series officially commissioned in 1977. At the time of writing, about 69 ships in her class have been built, including several in Australia, Spain, and Taiwan, and are currently in service with other countries, albeit used U.S. Navy ships. The Royal Australian Navy has purchased six frigates, at least two of which were built in Australia. Spain bought 6 more and Taiwan built 8 of them.

Bahrain, Poland, Egypt and Turkey have all received ex-US Navy OHP ships. At the time of writing, at least 30 U.S. Navy Perry-class ships remain in service.