What does FFG mean in SHIPPING & SAILING

A frigate is a type of warship, often used for convoy escort duties and missile defense due to its high speed and maneuverability. Frigates are relatively small in size compared to other warships like battleships and cruisers, making them ideal for quick response capabilities.

Frigates typically range from 250-450 ft in length. The exact size depends on the class of the frigate, but they tend to be smaller than other types of warships.

There are three main classes of frigates, including light frigates, heavy frigates, and multi-role or multi-mission frigates. Light frigates are designed for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) missions while heavy frigates are built for air defense and surface warfare missions. Multi-role or multi-mission frigates can handle both ASW missions as well as air defense/surface warfare tasks.

The primary roles of a frigate include escorting other vessels such as merchant ships, aircraft carriers, and oil tankers; patrolling areas such as disaster zones or pirate hot spots; search & rescue operations; anti-submarine warfare; air defense; and surface combat missions including amphibious landing support.

Yes, there are several different types of frigates including guided missile frigates (FFG), patrol boat frigates (PF), stealth attack boats (SSK), fast attack craft (FAC), riverine patrol boats (PBR), destroyers (DDG) and corvettes (PCC). Each ship class has different characteristics depending on the mission it was designed to carry out.

The number of crew members aboard a frigate depends on its class and size. Generally speaking, late 20th century guided missile frigates require 15 officers and 200 enlisted personnel while modern day variants require about 20 officers and 200 enlisted personnel. Patrol boat variants generally require fewer personnel ranging from 10-20 officers and 75-125 enlisted personnel depending on their specific size and configuration.

Weapons onboard a frigate vary depending on its mission requirements but usually consist of surface-to-air missiles such as Sea Sparrow or Standard Missile 2's; cruise missiles like Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles (TLAMs); torpedoes; artillery guns such as 5” Mk 45 Mod 2 Guns or 76 mm Oto Melara guns; rocket launchers; CIWS close in weapon systems; depth charges; minesweepers etc.

The concept for what would later become known as “frigate” originated in the 18th century however modern day versions were developed during World War II with the development of anti submarine warfare vessels known as sloops which evolved into what we now recognize today as light naval vessels often referred to as “frigate”.

Most contemporary guided missile FFG's have an average speed between 25 - 30 knots per hour when powered by gas turbines or 28 - 31 knots per hour with combined diesel propulsion systems while modern day patrol boat variants have an average speed between 24 - 27 knots per hour when powered by gas turbines.

Costs depend largely on vessel type, age/condition, configuration etc., but generally speaking costs range between $400 million - $500 million for new builds while older vessels cost around $200 million - $300 million.