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ment, it is removed and then repaired or overhauled off the ship. For essential items for which there is no backup capability, the ship carries replacement modules or at least the parts necessary to repair them. We think a crew this size will be able to do the job, although we have hedged our bets by developing backup designs to install accommodations for 12, 18, or 30 additional people should the operation of the lead ship over the next year or so indicate a need for them.
The result of all the planning, design, and testing which has gone into the Oliver Hazard Perry class is that the Navy will have what we believe to be a most capable warship for her assigned mission—open ocean escort of convoys, amphibious task groups, and underway replenishment ships. The
FFG-7 and her forthcoming sisters will serve as excellent complements to the already existing surface combatants of the Spruance and Knox classes. Those two classes are designed primarily for antisubmarine warfare. Where they have large active SQS-26 sonars, the FFG-7 has the small, in-layer SQS-56 to detect targets at closer ranges. Where they have minimal antiair warfare capabilities, the new frigate is excellent in that area and in quick reaction missile defense and will be even better when the close-in weapon system is added.
What’s more, the Oliver Hazard Perry class will be much better at ASW as succeeding ships come off shipbuilders’ ways. The addition of a passive towed array sonar and the LAMPS 111 helos will make them outstanding ASW ships instead of just very good ones.
In summary, the Oliver Hazard Perry class gives every indication that it will prove to be a most capable addition to the fleet. It is designed to provide the capabilities most in demand, in the numbers required by out worldwide sea control mission commitments, and at a construction cost and “manning” cost that we can afford. The use of “fly-before-buy” has permitted us to avoid the many growing pains normally associated with the lead ship of a class and provides a high level of confidence in the capabilities and reliability of the follow ships now under contract. The lead ship has flown superbly in all her trials. We need have no reluctance about buying more.
The Navy’s Newest Ship: FFG-7
By Commander Stephen J. Duich, U.S. Navy, Commanding Officer, USS Oliver Hazard Perry (FFG-7)
The Navy’s newest frigate represents a break with tradition in a number of ways—a gas turbine powered propulsion plant, austere manning, a fully integrated combat system, two helicopter hangars, auxiliary propulsion units, and a ship control console that gives one the feeling of being in the cockpit of an airplane rather than in the pilothouse of a warship.
The innovative systems and manning concepts employed in the Oliver Hazard Perry are enhanced by the ship’s organization. The traditional frigate’s operations, weapons, and supply departments do not exist in the FFG-7. Instead, they are replaced by combat systems, ship control/com- munications, and support departments. The only officers in the ship control/communications and support departments are the department heads, while the engineering depart-
rncnt is manned by two officers—an engineer officer and a damage control assistant (DCA). Except for engineer- lng s E-2 division, which is headed by che DCA, all divisions in these three departments are headed by chief petty °fficers. (Figure 1 depicts the ship’s 0rganization.)
The combat systems department* has been designed for optimum operatIOn under minimum manning condi- tl0ns- Two AN/UYK-7 digital computers integrate the ship’s command and decision (C&D) system with the ship s weapon systems. In addition to standard AN/UYA-4 consoles at the radar tracker and antisubmarine air c°ntroller (ASAC) positions, the C&D system includes operations summary consoles for the tactical action officer a°d ASW evaluator. The combat information center (CIC) operates in a Navy tactical data system (NTDS) envi- r°nment with standard symbology, real-time data analysis, and computer Programs designed to provide quick- reaction defense throughout the Ululti-threat spectrum.
. The ship’s weapons provide defense In depth via the quick-reaction features of the C&D system. The Mk 13 hlod 4 guided-missile launching system and the Mk 75 76-mm. Oto Me- lara gun are operated remotely from Clc The close-in weapon system— "'hich has yet to be installed in the FFG-7—consists of a rapid firing gun and a closed-loop tracking system. It is also a fully automated, quick-reaction
For additional information on combat system apartments see G. N. Maddox’s "The Vir- g'nia’s Combat System Department,” pp. ^U-9l, August 1977 Proceedings.
component. The underwater weapons battery encompasses LAMPS (light airborne multi-purpose system) helicopters and Mk 32 SVTT (surface vehicle torpedo tube) launchers. Designed to work in concert with existing ASW ships and aircraft, the FFG-7 is equipped with the AN/SQS-56 digital sonar for medium-range direct path detection and provides near field protection with hull-borne systems and a longer range capability through LAMPS, the installed AN/SQR-17 acoustic processor, and an ASW computer program which displays the tactical situation.
Supporting the minimum manning concept, many of the systems possess built-in test and fault detection/ location capabilities. Modular replacement features should further reduce equipment downtime and maintenance man-hours. The organization and operation of the ship control/ communications department also incorporate several modern management concepts. As shown in Figure 1, the department is organized into three divisions—communications, deck, and ship control. The division officers for these divisions are a chief radioman, a master chief boatswain’s mate, and a chief quartermaster, respectively.
► The communications division, traditional in its organization and responsible for the ship’s electronic communications, was included in the ship control/communications department because the function of the division did not coincide with the system operator/maintenance concept of the combat systems department.
► The deck division differs from that traditionally encountered in other frigate-type ships in that division personnel stand no underway watches.
Division personnel, in addition to being responsible for normal deck and seamanship evolutions, are responsible for the cleanliness and maintenance of many of the ship's common-use spaces and all topside spaces under a facilities maintenance (FM) program. Much as the PMS program has organized the ship into maintenance work centers with defined maintenance actions, so it is that specific cleaning and preservation tasks have been defined under the FM program. Members of the deck division are organized into FM teams equipped with various labor-saving devices such as spray wax buffers, wet/dry vacuums, and high-pressure washers. The end result is that fewer man-hours, and thus fewer personnel, are required to clean and preserve the ship.
► The signalman and quartermaster personnel of the ship control division man all underway bridge watch, navigation, and visual signal communications stations. The FFG-7’s bridge is unique in both its equipment and manning. All ship control functions have been integrated into a ship control console, the operation of which is controlled and monitored by an enlisted console operator and by the officer of the deck. The other bridge watch stations—quartermaster of the watch, lookouts, visual signal communicator, and visual signal re- corder/messenger—are interchangeably manned by cross-trained signalmen and quartermasters. From his position at the ship control console, the OOD is able to monitor and control ship’s course and speed, while monitoring the auxiliary propulsion units, weapon systems, and various alarm systems. Additionally, he has ready access to interior communications circuits, general announcing circuits, and radiotelephone communications.
The Oliver Hazard Perry is designed with a high degree of engineering redundancy. Mobility is provided by a propulsion power train and two auxiliary propulsion units. The power train consists of two LM 2500 gas turbines; a double reduction, double helical, locked train reduction gear; a single shaft; and a controllable pitch propeller. A propulsion control system (PCS) provides the controls and displays required for the monitoring of the engineering systems. The PCS incorporates a special-purpose computer which provides semiautomatic control of the gas turbines and propeller blade pitch, backup alarm systems, digital displays, and automatic data printouts. Programmed throttle and pitch control is available in the central control station (CCS) and on the bridge.
Ship service electric power is supplied by four diesel-driven 60 hertz generators and three 400 hertz static frequency converters. Two generators are capable of supplying the ship's total combat electrical load requirements. All machinery spaces, gas turbine enclosures, and diesel enclosures are protected by a Halon 1301 fire extinguishing system. AFFF (aqueous film-forming foam) and conventional fire stations are also provided in the machinery spaces. A collection, holding, and transfer system, an incinerator and a trash compactor, and an oily waste system have been installed. Thus, the FFG-7 will be an environmentally “clean” ship.
Most propulsion, electrical, and damage control systems are started, operated, and secured by the two-man watch in CCS. A third watchstander patrols the normally unmanned machinery spaces and starts and secures the auxiliary systems. Automatic logging duties are performed by a bell logger and data logger. Repair of the FFG-7’s equipment is accomplished by modular change-out during intermediate maintenance availabilities— every six months—and selected restricted availabilities—every two years. The PCS has installed test points to isolate casualties to the card level. The ship is also fully equipped with support equipment and special tools for more detailed analysis and subassembly repair.
The support department in the Oliver Hazard Perry is designed to incorporate a traditional guided-missile frigate supply organization with as many ship’s administrative/service functions as possible. The Supply Corps officer is identified by the ship’s manning document as the support officer and his department contains two divisions—the administrative/supply
division and the food service/support division. These divisions are headed by the ship’s yeoman and the leading mess management specialist, respectively.
Advances in the support/supply area include a central supply storeroom which contains aviation-style drawer cabinets for the stowage of repair parts and is located below the flight deck with an access hatch therefrom for ease in transferring stores during re' plenishment operations. These cabinets are a great space-saver for storing the approximately 13,000 storeroom line items. In addition, a stores elevator moves foodstuffs (dry, fresh, and frozen) from the main deck to the dry provisions and refrigerated storerooms. This elevator is also used to replenish the Oto Melara gun magazine.
The FFG-7 is a comfortable ship in terms of crew accommodations. She is the most habitable frigate ever deliv-
Figure 1 FFG-7 Shipboard Organizatio"
Commanding Officer (CDR) — Executive
communications with that department's spaces.
Because the second ship of the class w°n’t be coming along until 1980, che Oliver Hazard Perry didn’t employ the fleet introduction team (FIT) which ls being used with the Spruance-dass destroyers. Instead, tradition ruled
ered to the U.S. Navy. The crew’s three living complexes are attractive and roomy. Each has its own sleeping area, dressing area, lounge, and sanitary space. The central galley serves the enlisted dining facility, and the cpO mess, and the wardroom.
Still another change is the incorpo- tation of a central office complex. Within this single space is located the ship’s administrative office, the combat systems office, the engineering log r°om, the support office, and the ship c°ntrol/communications office. This central office is well compartmented, allowing some degree of privacy. Each the separate cubicles has direct this area. I reported to the ship along with the nucleus crew in July 1976, while the executive officer and the balance crew were organized in September 1977 at the Fleet Training Center, Norfolk, Virginia. The FFG-7 passed acceptance trials in mid- November 1977, the balance crew arrived on board on 28 November, and the Navy accepted delivery of the ship on 30 November. When ships of the class go into series production in a couple of years, the FIT concept may well be used with teams of perhaps four officers and a dozen enlisted men transferring what they learn on one ship of the class to subsequent ones. The actual crews won’t report to the ships until shortly before commissioning.
The commissioning of the Oliver Hazard Perry took place on 17 December in Bath, Maine. Since then, the ship has been undergoing a fitting-out availability and will soon begin working her way down the coast to her new home port of Mayport, Florida. An intensive post-delivery tests and trials schedule will be pursued during the next seven months to determine if any design changes to the class are necessary.
Next fall, the FFG-7 will head back to Bath for a post-shakedown availability. The things learned about the ship during the next few months will be incorporated into the ships now under construction and still to come. One thing already has been learned: the FFG-7 is a fine ship and will be a valuable member of the fleet for years to come.
Editors Note: The Proceedings extends its thanks to Mr. Fred Kahrl of Bath Iron Works and Mr. Fred Koch of the office of the Navy Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Bath, Maine, for their assistance in assembling this issue’s coverage of the Oliver Hazard Perry.
Electronics Technician (ET)
Interior Communications Electrician (1C) Data Systems Technician (DS)
Sonar Technician (ST)
Torpedoman's Mate (TM)
Gunner’s Mate M (Missiles) (GMM) Gunner's Mate G (Guns) (GMG)
Fire Control Technician M (Missiles) FTM Fire Control Technician G (Guns) FTG
Operations Specialist (OS)
Electronics Warfare Technician (EW)
Boatswain's Mate (BM)
Quartermaster (QM) Signalman (SM)
Radioman (RM)
Damage Control Assistant (ENS)
Electrician's Mate (EM) Engineman (EN)
Hull Maintenance Technician (HT) Machinery Repairman (MR)
Engineman (EN)
Electrician's Mate (EM)
Support Officer (LT)
c
Admin/Supply (E-7) Food Service (E-7) i
Yeoman (YN) Personnelman (PN) Hospital Corpsman (HM) Storekeeper (SK)
Mess Management Specialist (MS) Ship's Serviceman (SH)