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Freedom vs Type 26

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Specifications
Freedom Type 26
Origin 🇺🇸 United States 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Category Frigate Frigate
Type Littoral combat ship Anti-submarine frigate
Manufacturer Marinette Marine BAE Systems, Govan and Scotstoun
Year introduced 2008 2026
Number built 16 units 8 units
Estimated unit price $362 million $1,600 million
Displacement 3,500 tons 8,000 tons
Maximum speed 47.0 knots 26.0 knots
Range 3,500 nm at 18 knots 7,000 nm
Length 115.0 m 149.9 m
Beam 17.5 m 20.8 m
Crew 50 157
Performance Radar Chart
Armament & Systems
Freedom Type 26
Armament
  • 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
  • 24-cell Mk 41 strike-length VLS
  • 48 × Sea Ceptor (CAMM) air-defence missiles
  • 1 × 127 mm Mk 45 gun
  • 2 × 30 mm guns, Phalanx CIWS
  • Reconfigurable mission bay
  • Type 2087 towed array sonar
Propulsion 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 CODLOG: Rolls-Royce MT30 gas turbine + 4 diesel generators, 2 electric motors

Overview

The Freedom and the Type 26 are both Frigate classes.

The Type 26 displaces 8,000 tons — 2.3x the Freedom's 3,500 tons. The Freedom reaches 47 knots vs 26 knots for the Type 26. Operational range is 3,500 nautical miles for the Freedom vs 7,000 for the Type 26. The Freedom carries a crew of 50 vs 157 for the Type 26.

The Freedom was produced in 16 units vs 8 for the Type 26. Cost per hull is $362M for the Freedom vs $1,600M for the Type 26. The Freedom was commissioned in 2008, 18 years before the Type 26 (2026).

Related Comparisons
Freedom vs Independence Freedom vs Type 054A Freedom vs FREMM frigate Freedom vs La Fayette Freedom vs Halifax Freedom vs Anzac

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has greater displacement, the Freedom-class or Type 26-class?
The Type 26-class has greater displacement at 8,000 tons compared to the Freedom-class's 3,500 tons.
Which is faster, the Freedom-class or Type 26-class?
The Freedom-class is faster with a maximum speed of 47 knots compared to the Type 26-class's 26 knots.
Which has longer range, the Freedom-class or Type 26-class?
The Type 26-class has a longer range at 7,000 nautical miles compared to the Freedom-class's 3,500 nautical miles.
Which is longer, the Freedom-class or Type 26-class?
The Type 26-class is longer at 149.9 meters compared to the Freedom-class's 115.0 meters.
How many crew members do the Freedom-class and Type 26-class have?
The Type 26-class has a larger crew complement of 157 compared to the Freedom-class's 50 crew members.
Which is more expensive, the Freedom-class or Type 26-class?
The Type 26-class is more expensive at approximately $1.6 billion per unit compared to the Freedom-class at $362 million.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Freedom-class or Type 26-class?
The Freedom-class has been built in greater numbers with 16 vessels compared to 8 vessels of the Type 26-class.