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Independence vs La Fayette

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Specifications
Independence La Fayette
Origin 🇺🇸 United States 🇫🇷 France
Category Frigate Frigate
Type Littoral combat ship General-purpose frigate
Manufacturer Austal USA DCNS
Year introduced 2010 1996
Number built 19 units 20 units
Estimated unit price $360 million $325 million
Displacement 3,104 tons 3,200 tons
Maximum speed 44.0 knots 25.0 knots
Range 4,300 nm at 18 knots 9,000 nm at 12 knots
Length 127.0 m 125.0 m
Beam 32.0 m 15.4 m
Crew 40 164
Performance Radar Chart
Armament & Systems
Independence La Fayette
Armament
  • 1 × BAE Systems Mk 110 57 mm gun
  • 1 × Raytheon SeaRAM CIWS
  • 4 × .50-cal guns (2 aft, 2 forward)
  • 2 × 30 mm Mk44 Bushmaster II guns
  • 8 × RGM-184A Naval Strike Missiles
  • 24 × AGM-114L Hellfire missiles
  • 1 x 100 mm TR automatic gun
  • 2 x 20 mm modèle F2 guns
  • 8 x Exocet MM40 block II anti-ship missiles
  • 1 x Crotale CN2 CIWS
  • 2 x 6 Sadral launchers with Mistral Mk 3 SAM/SSM
  • 2 x 2 manually operated Simbad/Mistral
Propulsion CODOG system: 2 × General Electric LM2500 gas turbines, 2 × MTU Friedrichshafen 20V 8000 Series diesel engines, 4 × diesel generators 4 diesel SEMT Pielstick 12PA6V280 STC2, 21,000 hp (16,000 kW)

Overview

The Independence and the La Fayette are both Frigate classes.

Displacement is 3,104 tons for the Independence vs 3,200 tons for the La Fayette. The Independence reaches 44 knots vs 25 knots for the La Fayette. Operational range is 4,300 nautical miles for the Independence vs 9,000 for the La Fayette. The Independence carries a crew of 40 vs 164 for the La Fayette.

The Independence was produced in 19 units vs 20 for the La Fayette. Cost per hull is $360M for the Independence vs $325M for the La Fayette. The Independence was commissioned in 2010, 14 years after the La Fayette (1996).

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which has greater displacement, the Independence-class or La Fayette-class?
The La Fayette-class has greater displacement at 3,200 tons compared to the Independence-class's 3,104 tons.
Which is faster, the Independence-class or La Fayette-class?
The Independence-class is faster with a maximum speed of 44 knots compared to the La Fayette-class's 25 knots.
Which has longer range, the Independence-class or La Fayette-class?
The La Fayette-class has a longer range at 9,000 nautical miles compared to the Independence-class's 4,300 nautical miles.
Which is longer, the Independence-class or La Fayette-class?
The Independence-class is longer at 127.0 meters compared to the La Fayette-class's 125.0 meters.
How many crew members do the Independence-class and La Fayette-class have?
The La Fayette-class has a larger crew complement of 164 compared to the Independence-class's 40 crew members.
Which is more expensive, the Independence-class or La Fayette-class?
The Independence-class is more expensive at approximately $360 million per unit compared to the La Fayette-class at $325 million.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Independence-class or La Fayette-class?
The La Fayette-class has been built in greater numbers with 20 vessels compared to 19 vessels of the Independence-class.