A frigate can make the Burke force more effective by taking duties that do not require a destroyer's full capability. That preserves service hours and leaves more time for the destroyer's principal tasks and training. The comparison with using an F-16 when an F-22 is unnecessary illustrates the cost of spending scarce operating life. The frigate must also be capable enough to join a task group and contribute when destroyers are busy. Those complementary roles provide a clearer requirement than repeatedly asking the smaller ship to do everything.
Notable Point · 1:51:34-1:53:36
A useful frigate conserves destroyer service life
Smaller escorts can take routine missions while remaining useful members of a larger task group.