Tour of the USS Simpson (FFG 56) | Photos

By Steven Hoarn - May 22, 2014

The USS Simpson (FFG 56) is an Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided missile frigate. Defense Media Network photo by Steven Hoarn

Named for Rear Adm. Rodger W. Simpson, the USS Simpson (FFG 56) was commissioned in 1985. The ship's motto is Attaquer en Vigueur, which translates to Attack with Vigor. Defense Media Network photo by Steven Hoarn

Until 2004 the USS Simpson (FFG 56) mounted a Mk 13 missile launcher in the bow. The launcher was capable of firing Standard SM-1 or RGM-84 Harpoon missiles. The Mk 13 formerly mounted here fired four SM-1s at the Iranian fast attack craft Joshan, hitting it with all four missiles. Defense Media Network photo by Steven Hoarn

The view from the bridge of the USS Simpson (FFG 56). In the background is the SS American Victory, a World War II-built merchant ship class that followed on and improved upon the Liberty ships during World War II. American Victory is now the main feature of the American Victory Ship & Museum in Tampa, Fla. Defense Media Network photo by Steven Hoarn

The USS Simpson (FFG 56) is powered by two General Electric LM2500 gas turbines that provide up to 41,000 horsepower to its single screw, a controversial design feature at the time the class was built. Defense Media Network photo by Steven Hoarn

The USS Simpson (FFG 56) operates one Phalanx close-in weapons system (CIWS), which provides last line of defense protection against missiles and other air and surface threats. Defense Media Network photo by Steven Hoarn

For small boat operations, the Simpson can deploy one rigid-hull inflatable boat. Defense Media Network photo by Steven Hoarn

Mark 36 Super Rapid Blooming Offboard Chaff (SRBOC) dispensers aboard the USS Simpson (FFG 56). Designed to fool anti-ship missiles, each SRBOC launcher has three tubes set at a 45-degree angle and three tubes set at a 60 degree angle. Defense Media Network photo by Steven Hoarn

Simpson can mount a number of .50-caliber M2 machine guns for shipboard defense. Defense Media Network photo by Steven Hoarn

The USS Simpson's OTO Melara 76 mm is a popular and successful main gun in several navies, and is capable of firing a variety of specialized ammunition. Defense Media Network photo by Steven Hoarn

The Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided missile frigate USS Simpson (FFG 56) was built to hunt for Soviet submarines and escort merchant convoys if the Cold War became hot. Today, it is operating MQ-8 Fire Scouts and hunting for self-propelled semi-submersibles. The designation as a guided missile frigate is peculiar, since the Simpson hasn’t fielded missiles since 2004 when its Mk 13 missile launcher was removed. It was four SM-1 missiles from that launcher that earned the Simpson a place in the trivia books. During Operation Praying Mantis, the Simpson helped sink the Iranian missile boat Joshan with direct hits from four of its Standard SM-1 missiles. The retirement of the other U.S. Navy ships that helped sink the Joshan leaves the Simpson as one of only two Navy ships remaining that have sunk an enemy ship with guns or missiles. The USS Constitution is the other. That distinction won’t last much longer, as the Simpson‘s Navy service is scheduled to end in approximately 15 months. It is likely that the Simpson will continue to serve in a foreign navy. The Oliver Hazard Perry-class has proved popular with the navies of Bahrain, Egypt, Pakistan, Poland, Republic of China, Thailand, and Turkey. The Taiwan Relations Act Affirmation and Naval Vessel Transfer Act of 2014 would authorize the transfer of an additional eight Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates to foreign navies. Though not on that list, it’s probably only a matter of time before the Simpson swaps flags.

At an event hosted by the Tampa Navy League, Defense Media Network‘s Steven Hoarn took a tour of the Simpson and caught a look at the end of an era.