Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 27:33-27:56

Air-defense frigate speed for carrier escort

A proposed 25-knot Dutch air-defense frigate prompts a warning that published estimates may understate the speed needed to accompany British or American carriers.

Air DefenceAircraft Carrier EscortsFrigatesShip Speed
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Question

Is 25 knots a credible top speed for a Dutch air-defense frigate expected to keep up with British or American carriers?

Short answer

No; either the estimate is too low or the ship would be too slow for that escort role.

Notes

A 25-knot top speed is rejected as very slow for a ship expected to operate with carrier groups. The answer ties machinery performance to the operational formation instead of treating maximum speed as an isolated specification. An escort must retain enough margin to maneuver with the force rather than merely equal a carrier's routine cruising speed. Preliminary warship reports should therefore be checked against the missions and ships the design must accompany.