MILNET: U.S.S. Hawes FFG-53

The Hawes is a later version of the tough and resiliant Oliver Hazard Perry (FFG-7) class Guided Missile, ASW - anti-submarine warfare - Frigate.

For airborne defense work, the capable RIM-66D SM-1 Standard Missile (36 carried) can be fired locally or by command from an AEGIS command and control net.

The Hawes also mounts Harpoon anti-ship missiles (4 carried), as well as deck trained triple mount MK-46 torpedo launchers.

For detection, the Hawes mounts the SQS-53 hull mounted sonar bubble and the LAMPS III SH-60 sonar dipping helicopter of which one is embarked, and a second can be tied down on the landing pad in emergency. The TACTASS SQR-19 towed sonar array was also added in later years to dramatically improve the listening and active detection of underwater targets.

For surface engagements, the SLQ-32 "Slick-32" electronic warfare suite has been added which provides high-tech electronic countermeasures defeating the best the advisary has to offer in electronic masking.

For self protection, the Hawes has a 75mm OTO Melara rapid firing deck gun, as well as the famous Phalanx CIWS (Close-In Weapons System). The Phalanx is a radar controlled, 6 barrel gun which automatically fires upon attacking missiles when they come within range. Firing depleted uranium rounds, the Phalanx pours rounds of very destructive fire upon an attacking missile in a last ditch attempt to destroy it before it completes an attack upon the Hawes.

U.S.S Hawes FFG-53

Oliver Hazard Perry Class Guided Missile Frigate

For More Information, see the U.S. Navy Fact File

Specification

Value

Builder

Bath Iron Works

Displacement

4,100 tons, fully loaded

Dimensions (len x widx draft), ft

445 x 45 x 24.5 ft. (includes sonar bulge)

Propulsion

2 General Electric LM 2500 gas turbine engines; 1 shaft, 41,000
shaft horsepower total.

Performance

29+ knots

Crew

13 officers, 287 enlisted

Armament

Cnt	Desig	Description
1	Mk12	Deck mounted single arm launcher fitting Standard SM-1 (RIM-66B) Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAM) for attack against incoming airborne targets. The laucher also mounts AGM-48D Harpoon anti-ship missiles. This missile is an all weather, cruise missile designed to skim the surface and then pop up for a near vertical attack on the central spaces of the targeted ship. Missiles are loaded vertically directly from an underdeck store via a hatch in the launcher's revolving base.
1	Mk15	20mmm Phalanx CIWS (2 barrel gatling gun, depleted uranium rounds)
2	Mk32	Mk-46 Torpedo on triple mount deck trainable tube launchers
1	Mk-75	OTO Melara 76mm rapid fire gun

Aircraft

The LAMPS III system allows datalink for over the horizon attack on surface vessels as well as prosecution of underwater contacts detected with dipped sonar detectors.

Type	Mission	Count
SH-60	LAMPS III Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW)	1

Sensors - Air/Surface, Electronic Warfare

Designation	Description
SPG-60	STIR Search and Tracking Radar
AN/SPS-55	Surface Search and Navigational Radar
SPS-49	Long Range Air Search Radar
URN-25	TACAN Antenana
AN/SLQ-32 V3	"Slick 32" Electronic Warfare Suite
Mk96	Digital Fire Control System with Mk92 elements

Sensors - Anti-Submarine

Designation	Description
AN/SQR-19	Towed Sonar Array (TACTAS)
AN/SQS-56C	Hull mounted Sonar

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