Concept in Definition ABC

Since classical antiquity, various kinds of boat to face the various tasks and functions of the military fleets. One of these classes, which has its roots in the 17th century, is the frigate.

A frigate is a type of light warship, highlighted for a specific function, and that is, in the "ladder" just below the destroyer.

The first frigates saw the light in the seventeenth century as smaller, lighter and faster ships than the heavy and powerful ships of the line.

Unable to maintain an open one-on-one confrontation with one of these giants of the sea, the main asset of the frigates was their speed of movements, which allowed him to successfully evade combat against forces superior in number, and to carry out fast missions, impossible for the heavy and slow ships of the line.

Its role at this time was, basically, the protection of merchant traffic, as well as support missions for ships of the line.

Like tanks on the ground they need the protection of infantry and the assistance of other types of vehicles so as not to be victims of an ambush (without protection, a properly armed infantry, can take out a tank), a task that frigates could comply.

Enemy exploration and detection operations were also carried out by frigates, at a time when all observation it had to be done by eye, at most with the assistance of a spyglass.

The definition of a frigate, like its role, has varied over the years, as the techniques and technologies of maritime warfare have advanced.

Thus, when the warships began to be armored, the small size of the frigates was a drawback, since with the technology of the time required that the ship be large.

The frigates almost disappeared from the scene in the diverse fleets, although the denomination would recover during World War II.

With the rise of the submarine weapon during the 1939-1945 conflagration, used extensively by both the Germans and the Japanese (although all sides had submarines in contention), the small ships specialized in fighting were called frigates antisubmarin.

Thus, the escorts of the convoys that brought provisions to Great Britain included a remarkable quantity of frigates.

Despite having a minor power of attack than other classes of ship, such as cruisers or destroyers, the anti-submarine fight did not require a special armament power, so that many smaller ships could be assembled with less technical demands to make it front.

Modern frigates began to take shape precisely in the Second World War.

At the end of the war, these types of ships had specialized, in some cases and in addition to anti-submarine fighting, also for anti-aircraft fighting.

Essentially, they still maintain the characteristics of lightness, velocity and maneuverability, and despite maintaining a main escort role, in many cases they have been prepared to be able to perform various roles depending on the needs.

Thus, the frigates currently have a valid missile crew to carry out any homework (surface to surface to both targets at sea and on land, and surface to air), anti-submarine fighting, and the vast majority have some air means, generally one or two helicopters, which allow them to carry out rescue or other operations.

The next step for frigates, like other types of ships, is to steal them.

That is, they are not detectable by radars. Currently, the technology is mature enough, but adopted by larger ships such as destroyers.

Photos: Fotolia - Elenarts / Specnaz7

Themes in Frigate