The Santa Maria class of frigates are the Spanish Navy's designation for six locally-built warships based on the Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates of the United States Navy.
Built in two batches, second batch units (F-85&86) received some improvements, such as an improved combat-data system, updated SPS-49 and SQR-19 sets, and a new Meroka mount. The Mk92Mod6 CORT replaced the previous Mod4, providing better capabilities against sea skimmers. The EW 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 Phanlanx 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.
| Santa María class frigate | |
|---|---|
| Type: | Guided missile frigate |
| Displacement: | 2851 ton, 3610 ton standard |
| Length: | 138.8 m |
| Beam: | 14.3 m |
| Draught: | 8.6 m |
| 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 azipods for maneuvering and docking. |
| Speed: | 29 knots |
| 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 and 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 46Mod5 anti-submarine torpedoes 1 × OTO Melara 76 mm/62 caliber naval gun 1 × 20mm Meroka 12 barrel AA system |
| Aircraft carried: | one or two SH-60 Seahawk LAMPS III |
