Destroyer leader (DL) was the United States Navy designation for large destroyers from 9 February 1951 through the early years of the Cold War. United States ships with hull classification symbol DL were officially frigates from 1 January 1955 until 1975. The smaller destroyer leaders were reclassified as destroyers and the larger as cruisers by the United States Navy 1975 ship reclassification so destroyer escorts could be reclassified as frigates (FF) in conformance with international usage of the term.
Destroyer leader USS John S. McCain with 3-inch/70 Mark 26 gun and Weapon Alpha visible abaft the forward 5-inch/54 Mark 42 gun.
A frigate is a type of warship. In different eras, the roles and capabilities of ships classified as frigates have varied.
A sailing frigate of 1802. The French Penelope.
Baden-Württemberg, lead ship of her class of frigates of the German Navy, currently the biggest frigates worldwide.
Light frigate, circa 1675–1680
Boudeuse, of Louis Antoine de Bougainville