TCG Gaziantep (F-490) is a modern, 4,600-ton guided-missile frigate of the Turkish Navy. The service currently (2023) fields sixteen hulls in the category broken down into three classes known as the Gabya-class, the Barbaros/Salihreis-class, and the Yavuz-class. The Gabya-class represents some of the most modern of the groups and are built upon the hulls of former USN Oliver Hazard Perry-class warships - though modernized for modern duty.
Gaziantep (F-490) was commissioned into service on August 27th, 1997 after being transferred from the United States Navy inventory (by way of the Security Assistance Program = SAP). Once under Turkish ownership, her class was revised to be "G-class" (or "Gabya-class").
The original ship was built by Bath Iron Works of Bath, Maine and ordered on February 27th, 1976, her keel being laid down on July 30th, 1979 Commissioned on February 16th, 1980, she then sailed under the name of USS Clifton Sprague for her time in the USN. Her decommissioning, after over a decade of service, followed on June 2nd, 1995 - the name stricken from the Naval Register on September 4th, 1997.
Key modernization aspects of the series include the GENESIS (Gemi Entegre Savas Idare Sistemi) Advanced Combat Systam (ACS). Radar, sensors, communications, and even the sonar fit are all enhanced in the design. F-490, F-495, F-496, and F-497 all received the Mk 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS) housing the Evolved Sea Sparrow (ESS) medium-ranged Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) system as well making them truly potent multi-mission warfare types.
The propulsion scheme involves 2 x General Electric LM2500-30 gas turbines developing 41,000 horsepower to 1 x Shaft astern. There are also 2 x Auxiliary Propulsion Units (APUs) available generating 350 horsepower for fine-maneuvering. Maximum speed in ideal conditions reaches 30 knots and range is out to 5,000 nautical miles.
Aboard is a crew of 222 personnel including 19 officers. The ship carries the AN/SPS-49 air-search radar, the AN/SPS-55 surface-search radar, and the CAS and STIR Fire Control Radar (FCR). The Electronic Warfare (EW) suite is made up of the AN/SLQ-32 suite.
Original armament encompasses 1 x OTO-Melara Mk 75 series turreted deck gun, 1 x Mk 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS) for 32 x "Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile" (ESSM) Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAMs), 2 x 4-cell "Harpoon" anti-ship missile launcher, 40 x SM-1 (RIM-66) SAMs, 1 x 20mm Mk 15 "Vulcan" Close-In Weapon System (CIWS), and 2 x 324mm Mk 32 triple torpedo tubes. Over the rear of the ship is supported a single medium-lift navalized helicopter for Over-the-Horizon (OtH) work (including sub-hunting, Search and Rescue and ship-spotting).
The profile of the ship is consistent with late-Cold War era warship design: there are protrusions aplenty with handrails featured nearly across the entire length of the ship. The hull superstructure is contained as a single mass over midships. To this is added the mast works (of the exposed lattice type) with all of their associated communications, radar, and sensor arrays. The bridge section takes up its usual place aft of the forecastle. Smoke funnels are nearly hidden in the superstructure to maintain a low profile form. The superstructure itself immediately terminates ahead of the stern wall to provide landing space for a single helicopter. The hull line is continuous, stepped down from the forecastle and leading all the way to the stern.
Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.MilitaryFactory.com. It is the product of many hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, veterans, insiders, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at MilitaryFactory AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.
(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)
✓Offshore Bombardment
Offshore bombardment / attack of surface targets / areas primarily through onboard ballistic weaponry.
✓Land-Attack
Offshore strike of surface targets primarily through onboard missile / rocket weaponry.
✓Maritime Patrol
Active patroling of vital waterways and maritime areas; can also serve as local deterrence against airborne and seaborne threats.
✓Airspace Denial / Deterrence
Neutralization or deterrence of airborne elements through onboard ballistic of missile weaponry.
✓Fleet Support
Serving in support (either firepower or material) of the main surface fleet in Blue Water environments.
Length
444.1 ft 135.36 m
Beam
44.1 ft 13.44 m
Draught
22.0 ft 6.71 m
Displacement
4,600 tons
Installed Power:
2 x General Electric LM2500 gas turbines developing 41,000 horsepower to 1 x Shaft astern; 2 x Bow thrusters.
Surface Speed
30.0 kts (34.5 mph)
Range
5,001 nm (5,755 mi | 9,262 km)
kts = knots | mph = miles-per-hour | nm = nautical miles | mi = miles | km = kilometers
1 kts = 1.15 mph | 1 nm = 1.15 mi | 1 nm = 1.85 km
1 x 76mm OTO-Melara Dual-Purpose (DP) turreted deck gun.
1 x 8-cell Mk 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS) for 32 x Evolved Sea Sparrow Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAMs).
40 x SM-1 Standard MR (RIM-66) SAMs.
2 x 4-cell "Harpoon" anti-ship missile launchers.
2 x 324mm Mark 32 triple torpedo tubes (Mark 46 or Mark 50 torpedo families).
1 x 20mm Mk 15 Phalanx Close-In Weapon System (CIWS).
Supported Types
(Not all weapon types may be represented in the showcase above)
1 x Sikorsky S-70B "Seahawk" or Agusta-Bell AB212 helicopter supported from the stern helipad.
Ribbon graphics not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. Ribbons are clickable to their respective naval campaigns / operations / periods.
Images Gallery
1 / 1
Image from the U.S. DoD DVIDS imagery database; Public Release.
The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com. No A.I. was used in the generation of this content; site is 100% curated by humans.
Turkey (Turkiye)
