[Praet]

Both Forecast International (Drop Report, .doc file) and The Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World (15th edition 2007, p 81) state that the Canadian Halifax class frigates were designed to carry twelve Sea Sparrow missile reloads (!) for their two eight-cell Mk48 VLS, but haven't been equipped as such to reduce cost.

As I am highly sceptical, can anyone confirm?
Where would the missiles have been stored and, with the Halifax class lacking suitable onboard cranes at least in their current form, how would they have been loaded into the above-deck (!) VLS?
Perhaps just additional Mk48 cells forward of the existing launcher, instead of actual reloads?
Or just an error adopted by both sources?

As a visual reference:
http://www.abload.de/thumb/is2009-6533x0ve.jpg

On a side note, is there a specific reason - other than just improved access - for the large two-piece doors leading from the open deck into the forward superstructure? They are similarly large on the forecastle:

http://www.abload.de/thumb/halifax_front2g2n.jpg

This post has been edited by Praet: 14 June 2009 - 1835 PM

[R011]

Try asking here. Several very knowledgeable posters including at least one who worked on CF warship project staffs at the time the Halifaxes were being made.