FF 1052 Knox

Description: FF 1052 Knox-class frigates were designed to provide the US Navy with a ship capable of protecting amphibious expeditionary forces, commercial merchants and replenishment ships from underwater threats. They are powered by a gas turbine and one shaft delivering 35,000-shp which allows for a top speed of 27 knots. The weapon system provided to these ships includes a 127mm Mk 42 naval gun, Mk 15 Phalanx Close-In Weapon System (CIWS), four torpedo tubes, ASROC anti-submarine missiles, Sea Sparrow anti-aircraft missiles, and Harpoon anti-ship missiles. In addition, they were equipped with helicopter facilities to operate a single rotary wing aircraft such as SH-2 Seasprite.

The US Navy commissioned 46 Knox frigates between 1969 and 1974. Baleares class frigates were based on Knox design with the helicopter hangar and deck replaced by SM-1 Standard missile facilities. The Spanish Navy commissioned five Baleares-class ships between 1973 and 1976. The US Navy decommissioned its last Knox frigate in 1994. The Spanish Navy is replacing its aging Baleares by F100 frigates. Knox frigates are still operational with international navies which obtained ex-US Navy ships through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program.