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Freedom vs Spearhead

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Specifications
Freedom Spearhead
Origin 🇺🇸 United States 🇺🇸 United States
Category Frigate Auxiliary ship
Type Littoral combat ship Expeditionary Fast Transport
Manufacturer Marinette Marine Austal USA
Year introduced 2008 2012
Number built 16 units 15 units
Estimated unit price $362 million $180 million
Displacement 3,500 tons 1,515 tons
Maximum speed 47.0 knots 43.0 knots
Range 3,500 nm at 18 knots 1,200 nm
Length 115.0 m 103.0 m
Beam 17.5 m 28.5 m
Crew 50 41
Performance Radar Chart
Armament & Systems
Freedom Spearhead
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
  • 4x mounts for M2 .50 caliber machine guns
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 Four MTU 20V8000 M71L diesel engines, Four ZF 60000NR2H reduction gears

Overview

The Freedom is a Frigate, while the Spearhead is a Auxiliary ship.

The Freedom displaces 3,500 tons — 2.3x the Spearhead's 1,515 tons. The Freedom reaches 47 knots vs 43 knots for the Spearhead. Operational range is 3,500 nautical miles for the Freedom vs 1,200 for the Spearhead. The Freedom carries a crew of 50 vs 41 for the Spearhead.

The Freedom was produced in 16 units vs 15 for the Spearhead. Cost per hull is $362M for the Freedom vs $180M for the Spearhead. The Freedom was commissioned in 2008, 4 years before the Spearhead (2012).

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which has greater displacement, the Freedom-class or Spearhead-class?
The Freedom-class has greater displacement at 3,500 tons compared to the Spearhead-class's 1,515 tons.
Which is faster, the Freedom-class or Spearhead-class?
The Freedom-class is faster with a maximum speed of 47 knots compared to the Spearhead-class's 43 knots.
Which has longer range, the Freedom-class or Spearhead-class?
The Freedom-class has a longer range at 3,500 nautical miles compared to the Spearhead-class's 1,200 nautical miles.
Which is longer, the Freedom-class or Spearhead-class?
The Freedom-class is longer at 115.0 meters compared to the Spearhead-class's 103.0 meters.
How many crew members do the Freedom-class and Spearhead-class have?
The Freedom-class has a larger crew complement of 50 compared to the Spearhead-class's 41 crew members.
Which is more expensive, the Freedom-class or Spearhead-class?
The Freedom-class is more expensive at approximately $362 million per unit compared to the Spearhead-class at $180 million.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Freedom-class or Spearhead-class?
The Freedom-class has been built in greater numbers with 16 vessels compared to 15 vessels of the Spearhead-class.