thumb|, the first ocean escort
thumb|, lead ship of the only class of guided missile ocean escorts
thumb|, lead ship of the last class of ocean escorts
Ocean escort was a type of warship used by the United States Navy. They were an evolution of the destroyer escort types used during World War II. The ocean escorts were intended as convoy escorts and were designed for mobilization production in wartime or low-cost mass production in peacetime. They were commissioned from 1954 through 1974, serving in the Cold War and the Vietnam War. These were smaller than any of the US ocean escorts, at 1,416 tons (Riga) and 1,150 tons (Petya) full load, compared with at 1,877 tons full load. Many USN ocean escorts were transferred to foreign navies following USN service; they received pennant numbers beginning with "D", "DE", "F", or (in the Mexican Navy) "E". The "E" designator was also used for ex-USN s in that navy.
Ocean escort classes
- (13)
- (4)
- (2)
- (11)
- (6) (DEG)
- (46)
- (82) total
1975 reclassification
The ocean escort type corresponded to other nations' frigates (convoy escorts). Until 1975, the US Navy used the term "frigate" for destroyer leaders (DL, DLG, DLGN).
The 1975 ship reclassification changed the ocean escorts (DE/DEG) to frigates (FF/FFG) to be in line with other nations' classifications. The DLG-type "frigates" became either destroyers or cruisers, depending on tonnage.