Santa Maria-class frigate

Basic information

Type:

Frigate

Parent class:

Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate

Operators:

Spanish Navy

Country of build:

Spain

Builder:

Navantia

Planned:

Completed:

In service:

1986 – present (38 years)

Ship measurements

Displacement:

3,610 t

Length:

138.8 m

Beam:

14.3 m

Draft:

8.6 m

Machine

Propulsion system:

COGAG

Propulsion:

2 * General Electric LM2500-30 gas turbines generating 41,000 shp (31 MW) through a single shaft and variable pitch propeller
2 * Auxiliary Propulsion Units, 350 hp (260 kW) retractable electric azimuth thrusters for maneuvering and docking

Speed:

29 knots

Range:

4,500 nautical miles (8,300 km; 5,200 mi) at 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph)

Combat assets

Electronics:

AN/SPS-49 2-D air search radar
RAN-12L (being replaced by RAN-30) low horizon air search radar for Meroka CIWS
AN/SPS-55 surface search and navigation radar
Mk 92 Guided Missile Fire Control System
AN/SPG-60 Separate Target Illumination Radar (STIR) Missile Control Radar
AN/SQQ-89 Anti-Submarine Warfare System
AN/SQS-56 active/passive sonar
AN/SQR-19 TACTASS Tactical Towed Array Sonar System
EN/SLQ-610 Nettunel electronic countermeasures unit
SLQ-25 Nixie torpedo decoy
Mk-36 SRBOC chaff & decoy launchers

Armament:

1 * Mk-13 single-arm Missile Launcher
with a 40-round underdeck magazine for a mix of
RIM-66 Standard Missile SM-1MR
or RGM-84 Harpoon SSM
1 * Oto-Melara 76/62 gun (3 inches / 62-caliber)
2 * Mk-32 12.75" (324mm) triple torpedo tubes for Mk-46 / Mod.5 torpedoes
1 * FABA Meroka 20mm CIWS

Aircraft:

2 * Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk LAMPS III

The Santa María class of frigates is the Spanish Navy's designation for six locally built warships based on the United States Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates.

Built in two batches, the second batch units (F-85 and 86) received some improvements, such as an improved combat-data system, updated SPS-49 and SQR-19 sets, and a new Meroka mount. The Mk92 Mod 6 CORT replaced the previous Mod 4, providing better capabilities against sea-skimming missiles. The electronic warfare suite was also updated.

Spanish ships have a slightly bigger beam and were built with a greater weight reserve for future improvements. Other changes from the basic model include Meroka replacing Phalanx and a RAN-12L air search radar to provide low horizon coverage against sea skimmers cueing the Meroka CIWS mount. The Nettunel EW suite (based on the Italian Nettuno built in Spain) replaced the SLQ-32 system fitted aboard US ships.

The class is currently receiving a mid-life update (MLU), including a new EW suite, improved combat-data system, an upgrade of the Mk92 FCS, new electrical generators, the removal of the SQR-19 TACTASS towed array and habitability improvements. Four ships have already been modernized.