Brooke-class (FFG-1)

Summary

Description

The Brooke class was a class of United States Navy frigates, with its primary mission being to operate as anti-aircraft and anti-submarine warfare combatants, enhanced by the integration of the Tartar Guided Missile System. Inspired by the Garcia class's design, the Brooke class brought advancements in missile capabilities and radar systems over its predecessor. It served the U.S. Navy from the commissioning of the first unit in 1966 until the decommissioning of the final, sixth unit in 1989.

Designed to succeed the Garcia class, the Brooke class frigates featured several modifications most noteworthy of which was the replacement of one of the two 5-inch/38 caliber guns with the Tartar missile system to bolster the vessel's air defense capacities. This was complemented by the addition of the AN/SPS-52 3D air search radar and the AN/SPG-51 radar for missile guidance and target tracking. These ships were also equipped with a Mk 22 single-arm missile launcher positioned amidships, and the magazine could store up to 16 missiles. Compared to their Garcia class counterparts, Brooke-class frigates were equipped with either Westinghouse or General Electric turbines and featured two Foster Wheeler boilers each.

Originally, the Brooke class was intended to operate with the DASH drone, but the implementation of the LAMPS SH-2 Seasprite helicopter was later made possible by enlarging the hangar. Further capabilities were tested on the Talbot, one of the Brooke-class frigates, including evaluations of systems that would later be used on the Oliver Hazard Perry class such as the Otobreda 76 mm gun and the AN/SQS-56 sonar.

In terms of operational history, the Brooke class experienced modifications throughout its service that kept the ships updated with technological advancements. Despite plans to expand the class beyond the six commissioned units, financial considerations, specifically the higher cost compared to a traditional frigate, led to the cancelation of further production. The class had initially been authorized as guided missile destroyer escorts (DEG), with the first three units (FFG-1 through FFG-3) approved in the 1962 fiscal year and the subsequent three (FFG-4 through FFG-6) in the 1963 fiscal year.

The Brooke class served exclusively in the United States Navy throughout its operational history. Its impact on naval design influenced subsequent classes, as seen with the testing of the Talbot, and its service contributed to the development of U.S. naval capabilities during the latter half of the 20th century. With the decommissioning of the last Brooke class frigate in 1989, the class concluded nearly a quarter-century of naval service.

Technical specifications