World War II destroyer escorts and fleet destroyers were built for different jobs and accepted different levels of capability. Fletcher, Sumner, and Gearing types supply the fleet-destroyer comparison. Flower and Fletcher represent contrasting expectations: an inexpensive ASW escort in the stated requirement, and a much broader combatant in the desired result. The comparison explains why adding missions also changes the price and size of the ship needed. The procurement comparison concerns the gap between a stated escort role and the breadth of the desired combat fit.
Notable Point · 1:26:44-1:27:45
Flower and Fletcher illustrate different escort expectations
World War II escort types provide an analogy for the mismatch between buying an affordable ASW ship and demanding a general-purpose destroyer.