This article got me curious about the Sigma class but as I looked at its [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sigma_class_corvette"]Sigma class corvette - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame], I noticed that it is a modular design that can be either a corvette or a frigate.
I had thought that the difference between the two was that a corvette was a smaller, coastal vessel whilst a frigate was a larger ocean-going vessel. I can see that in terms of displacement, the frigate variants are heavier but beyond that, I don't see the difference.
I was wondering if anyone could clarify this for me, specifically to the Sigma class (does anything besides displacement make it frigate/corvette) as well as the current distinction between a corvette and a frigate.
Thanks.
I had thought that the difference between the two was that a corvette was a smaller, coastal vessel whilst a frigate was a larger ocean-going vessel. I can see that in terms of displacement, the frigate variants are heavier but beyond that, I don't see the difference.
I was wondering if anyone could clarify this for me, specifically to the Sigma class (does anything besides displacement make it frigate/corvette) as well as the current distinction between a corvette and a frigate.
Thanks.