Santa María-class frigate

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Santa María (F81)
Class overview
Name	Santa María class
Builders	Bazan, Ferrol, Spain
Operators	Spanish Navy
Preceded by	Baleares class
Succeeded by	Álvaro de Bazán class
Completed	6
Active	6
General characteristics
Type	Guided missile frigate
Displacement	2851 ton, 3610 ton standard
Length	138.8 m (455 ft 5 in)
Beam	14.3 m (46 ft 11 in)
Draught	8.6 m (28 ft 3 in)
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 (54 km/h; 33 mph)
Sensors and processing systems	Radar: AN/SPS-49(V)4 2-D air search ((V)5 in F-85 & F-86), RAN-12L (being replaced by RAN-30) 2-D low horizon air search radar for Meroka, SPS-55 surface search radar, Mk 92 fire control system, Sonar: SQS-56, SQR-19(V) Towed Array (-19(V)2 in F-85 & F-86), Fire Control: Mk 13 weapons control, Mk 92 and SPG-60 STIR missile control, SQQ-89 ASW
Electronic warfare & decoys	Nettunel (F-85 & F-86: Mk-3000) intercept, SLQ-25 Nixie, Mk36 SROC decoy launchers
Armament	1 × single-arm Mk 13 Missile Launcher with a 40-round magazine that can handle SM-1MR anti-air/ship missiles and Harpoon anti-ship missiles 2 × triple Mark 32 ASW torpedo tubes with Mark 46 Mod5 anti-submarine torpedoes 1 × OTO Melara 76 mm/62 caliber naval gun 1 × 20 mm Meroka 12 barrel AA system
Aircraft carried	one or two 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.

Units of class[]

• Santa Maria
• Victoria
• Numancia
• Reina Sofía
• Navarra
• Canarias

All are homeported in Rota, Spain.

External links[]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Clase Santa María.

• MaritimeQuest Oliver Hazard Perry Class Overview
• BUQUESDEGUERRA.TK, a Spanish website about warships

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