Quote:
Originally Posted by swaghauler
The issue is which timeline is used. In the real world, ALL BUT 2 Adams were sold by 1994. The sad thing is that they were much lighter and more cost efficient to operate than Burkes (being Half the displacement at 4500 tons). I doubt you could pair them with a Perry though because the Navy ended up pairing Burkes with Perrys and there wouldn't be enough left. It is ironic that the Perry's best trait was that it was the only ship in the fleet that carried TWO helos and had the RAST gear to launch and recover in sea state 4. The Ticos carried two helos but were not equipped with RAST until after the Perrys demonstrated its usefulness. Why the Flight I and Flight II Burkes were NOT equipped with hangers is beyond me. The Navy really tripped up there.
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There is also the push by the Navy to have its surface combatants powered by gas turbines rather than the older steam turbines. While I understand the advantages of using similar power plants, it also places the older ships at a disadvantage, the Navy isn't trying very hard to recruit the "black gang" to man the turbines, neither are they maintaining the spare parts necessary.
During its day, the Adams was an efficient class, but entering the 80s and 90s, time is catching up.
As for the decision to halt production of the Perry-class, I'm afraid the Navy dropped the ball. A simple, low cost and effective ship for convoy escorts was and is badly needed.