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Cheng Kung vs Freedom

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Specifications
Cheng Kung Freedom
Origin 🇹🇼 Taiwan 🇺🇸 United States
Category Frigate Frigate
Type Guided-missile frigate Littoral combat ship
Manufacturer China Shipbuilding Corporation Marinette Marine
Year introduced 1993 2008
Number built 10 units 16 units
Estimated unit price $300 million $362 million
Displacement 4,300 tons 3,500 tons
Maximum speed 29.0 knots 47.0 knots
Range 5,000 nm at 18 knots 3,500 nm at 18 knots
Length 138.8 m 115.0 m
Beam 14.0 m 17.5 m
Crew 235 50
Performance Radar Chart
Armament & Systems
Cheng Kung Freedom
Armament
  • 1 × Mk 13 Launcher for RIM-66 Standard MR missiles
  • 2 × triple Mark 32 torpedo tubes with Mark 46 anti-submarine torpedoes
  • 1 × OTO Melara 76 mm/62 caliber naval gun
  • 2 × Bofors 40 mm/L70 guns
  • 1 × 20 mm Phalanx CIWS point defense cannon
  • 2 × Type 75 20 mm/68 caliber guns
  • 4 × Hsiung Feng II SSM
  • 4 × Hsiung Feng III SSM
  • 1 × BAE Systems Mk 110 57 mm gun
  • 1 × Mk 49 launcher with 21 × RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Surface-to-Air Missiles
  • 4 × .50 in (12.7 mm) machine guns
  • 2 × 30 mm Mk44 Bushmaster II guns
  • 24 × AGM-114L Hellfire missiles
  • 1 × Lockheed Martin 150 kW High Energy Laser
Propulsion 2 × General Electric LM-2500 gas turbines, 41,000 shp (31,000 kW); 2 × Auxiliary Propulsion Units, 720 hp (540 kW) 2 × Rolls-Royce MT30 36 MW (48,000 hp) gas turbines, 2 × Colt-Pielstick 16PA6B 6.8 MW (9,100 hp) diesel engines, 4 Rolls-Royce/Kamewa 153SII/153BII waterjets

Overview

The Cheng Kung and the Freedom are both Frigate classes.

Displacement is 4,300 tons for the Cheng Kung vs 3,500 tons for the Freedom. The Cheng Kung reaches 29 knots vs 47 knots for the Freedom. Operational range is 5,000 nautical miles for the Cheng Kung vs 3,500 for the Freedom. The Cheng Kung carries a crew of 235 vs 50 for the Freedom.

The Cheng Kung was produced in 10 units vs 16 for the Freedom. Cost per hull is $300M for the Cheng Kung vs $362M for the Freedom. The Cheng Kung was commissioned in 1993, 15 years before the Freedom (2008).

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which has greater displacement, the Cheng Kung-class or Freedom-class?
The Cheng Kung-class has greater displacement at 4,300 tons compared to the Freedom-class's 3,500 tons.
Which is faster, the Cheng Kung-class or Freedom-class?
The Freedom-class is faster with a maximum speed of 47 knots compared to the Cheng Kung-class's 29 knots.
Which has longer range, the Cheng Kung-class or Freedom-class?
The Cheng Kung-class has a longer range at 5,000 nautical miles compared to the Freedom-class's 3,500 nautical miles.
Which is longer, the Cheng Kung-class or Freedom-class?
The Cheng Kung-class is longer at 138.8 meters compared to the Freedom-class's 115.0 meters.
How many crew members do the Cheng Kung-class and Freedom-class have?
The Cheng Kung-class has a larger crew complement of 235 compared to the Freedom-class's 50 crew members.
Which is more expensive, the Cheng Kung-class or Freedom-class?
The Freedom-class is more expensive at approximately $362 million per unit compared to the Cheng Kung-class at $300 million.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Cheng Kung-class or Freedom-class?
The Freedom-class has been built in greater numbers with 16 vessels compared to 10 vessels of the Cheng Kung-class.