The Oliver Hazard Perry-class Frigates

Photo Gallery

By Chuck Oldham (Editor) - May 18, 2016

The U.S. Navy guided-missile frigates USS Oliver Hazard Perry (FFG 7), USS Antrim (FFG 20), and USS Jack Williams (FFG 24) underway in 1982. The Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates were considered the "low" part of a "high-low mix," and were needed to replace the Navy's many World War II-era escorts that were worn out and obsolescent. U.S. Navy photo

USS Clark (FFG 11) underway. The ship was returning to her homeport of Mayport, Florida, following a three-week Caribbean cruise in 1981. The effort to keep costs low meant the ships used a single screw, driven by two marine turbines, but there were also two retractable thrusters, mounted well forward, that could get the ship home at 5-6 knots. Clark was transferred to the Polish navy. U.S. Navy photo

The U.S. Navy guided-missile frigate USS Estocin (FFG 15) underway during sea trials in 1980. The main armament of the class can be seen in this photo, including the single-arm Mk. 13 missile launcher at the bow, the Mk. 75 76mm gun atop the deckhouse, the triple torpedo tubes amidships on the main deck, and perhaps most importantly the large hangar for a single Seahawk helicopter, later increased to two. Estocin was transferred to Turkey in 2003. U.S. Navy photo

The guided-missile frigate Aubrey Fitch (FFG 34) underway during sea trials. The Perrys could make 29+ knots, which was less than some of the war-built destroyers they were replacing, but as it turned out, more than adequate for their missions. Fitch was scrapped in 2005. DOD photo

A nest of Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates during RIMPAC '88. Originally envisioned as a class of low-cost convoy escorts, the Perrys were updated and equipped with sensors and weapons to enable them to deal with a range of threats. DOD photo

USS Lewis B. Puller (FFG 23). The hard lines and right angles of the Perry class were an aspect of their economical construction. Puller was transferred to the Egyptian navy. DOD photo

USS Klakring (FFG 42). Klakring demonstrates the hull doubler plates amidships just below the main deck that was added to the class to help alleviate a hull twisting problem. Klakring was decommissioned in 2013. DOD photo

The San Diego-based guided-missile frigate USS Ford (FFG 54) manuevers at high speed during routine operations in the Southern California operating area, May 30, 2001. Ford was decomissioned in 2013. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Michael Kennedy

A starboard bow view of ships of tanker convoy No. 12 underway in the Gulf. Included in the convoy are the Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigate USS Hawes (FFG 53), the reflagged tanker Gas King, the guided-missile cruiser USS William H. Standley (CG 32), and the amphibious assault ship USS Guadalcanal (LPH 7). Photo by PH2 Elliott

Seen here is external damage to the port side of the USS Stark (FFG 31). Stark survived being hit by two Exocet missiles fired from an Iraqi aircraft. U.S. Navy photo

USS Stark (FFG 31) listing and burning as her crew fights to save her after the Exocet attack. The Perry class were criticized early in their development for their combat worthiness and ability to take a hit. Stark's survival was one answer to those critics. U.S. Navy photo

USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG 58) under tow after the ship struck a mine on April 14, 1988. The turbulent wake and wrinkled skin of the helicopter hanger hint at the damage below the waterline. Photo by PH2 Pahoyo

Another view of USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG 58) under tow after the ship struck a mine on April 14, 1988. With the engine room and an auxiliary machine room flooded, Roberts managed to creep out of the minefield on her thrusters. Photo by PH2 Rudy D. Pahoyo

An aerial view of the Dutch heavy-lift ship Mighty Servant II transporting the guided-missile frigate USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG 58). The frigate was damaged when it struck an Iranian mine while on patrol in the Persian Gulf. The fin stabilizers can be seen amidships in this photo. U.S. Navy photo by PH2 Elliott

USS Simpson (FFG 56) was the most recent U.S. Navy warship to sink an enemy vessel, in action with other U.S. Navy ships against the Iranian gunboat Joshan during Operation Praying Mantis on April 18, 1988, in retaliation for the mining of Roberts. U.S. Navy photo

USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG 58) at high speed after a $90 million repair and refitting. She was decommissioned in 2015. U.S. Navy photo

USS Reuben James (FFG 57). The need to extend the helicopter pad in order to operate the SH-60B was solved by the expedient of changing the rake of the stern but keeping the same waterline length. Reuben James was decommissioned in 2013. U.S. Navy photo

USS Vandegrift (FFG 48) firing an SM-1. Beginning in 2003, the Navy began removing the Mk. 13 "one-armed bandit" missile launcher from the FFGs as the SM-1 missiles it launches were obsolescent, and upgrading the ships to launch SM-2s was considered cost prohibitive. U.S. Navy photo

USS Doyle (FFG 39). As was typical of the class, Doyle served all over the world, from the Black Sea to the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Mexico. She was decommissioned in 2011. U.S. Navy photo

USS Rentz (FFG 46). Rentz was one of the many Perry class frigates built by Todd Pacific Shipyards. She was decommissioned in 2014. U.S. Navy photo

An aerial port bow view of the guided-missile frigate Fahrion (FFG 22) as Todd Pacific Shipyards Corporation conducted sea trials near Seattle, Washington. Fahrion was one of the "short-hulled" Perrys, and was transferred to the Egyptian navy. U.S. Navy photo

USS Elrod (FFG 55), shown with a Bushmaster cannon mounted on a platform over the former Mk.13 magazine. U.S. Navy photo

Sailors man the rails of the guided-missile frigate USS Simpson (FFG 56) during its decommissioning ceremony at Naval Station Mayport. The very last Perry-class frigate to serve in the U.S. Navy, Simpson was in service for 30 years. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Timothy Schumaker

With the decommissioning of USS Simpson (FFG 56) at the end of September 2015, the Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates sail no more in the U.S. Navy. Although Perry-class FFGs will continue to serve in friendly navies around the world, the U.S. Navy is replacing them with the littoral combat ship (LCS), soon to be upgunned, upgraded, and renamed frigates. Criticized during their development, the Perry-class frigates were at one time the most numerous ships in the U.S. Navy. While they successfully carried out the wide range of missions typical of frigates since the days of Admiral Nelson, they also paid the price, with two being severely damaged in action. USS Stark (FFG 31) was hit by two Exocet anti-ship missiles fired by an Iraqi Mirage fighter in 1987, nearly sinking. USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG 58) struck an Iranian mine and came close to sinking as well. Both ships survived through the courageous and outstanding damage control efforts of their crews. Criticized as they might have been in the early days of the program, the Perry-class frigates served the Navy well, and will be fondly remembered by generations of U.S. Navy sailors who served aboard them. While USS Simpson was the last of the class serving the United States, FFG-7s still serve in several navies worldwide, and probably will continue to for years to come.