Allende-class frigate

ARM Almirante Francisco Javier Mina at Cozumel
Class overview
Name:	Allende class
Builders:	Todd Shipyard, Seattle and San Pedro Lockheed Shipbuilding and Construction Company Avondale Shipyard
Operators:	Mexican Navy
Completed:	4
Active:	4
General characteristics
Type:	Anti-submarine frigate
Displacement:	4,260 tons (full load)
Length:	438 ft (134 m)
Beam:	46 ft 9 in (14.25 m)
Draught:	24 ft 9 in (7.54 m)
Propulsion:	1 set Westinhouse gearing steam turbines 35,000 shp (26,000 kW).
Speed:	27 knots (50 km/h; 31 mph) (maximum)
Range:	4,300 nmi (8,000 km; 4,900 mi) at 20 knots (37 km/h).
Complement:	288
Sensors and processing systems:	Navigation: One Raytheon SPS64(V)9 I/J bands; Surface Search radar: One Raytheon SPS-10; Air Search radar: Lockheed SPS-40B; Sonar: EDO-G.E. SQS-26 CX hull mounted LF; Gun fire control system: Western Electric SPG-53F; TACAN: SRN-15A; ASW fire control system: Mk 114.
Armament:	1 × 5 in (127 mm)/54 cal. Mk 42 DP gun; Fixed torpedo launcher 324 mm MK 32 Mod. 9 TT; Mk-25 BPDMS launcher for Sea Sparrow missiles (Allende only)
Aircraft carried:	1 MBB Bo 105 helicopter
Aviation facilities:	One helicopter hangar and helipad
Notes:	Ex-Knox-class US ocean escort frigates.

The Allende class is the name of anti-submarine frigates used by the Mexican Navy. Allende-class frigates are former United States Navy Knox class, and they were bought in 1997. They form the Mexican Gulf Fleet of the Mexican Navy. They are used for anti-submarine and offshore patrol duties. This is because weapons are reduced to only one 5-inch (127 mm)/54 caliber Mk 42 DP gun and four fixed ASW torpedo launchers. Electronic combat systems are also reduced and consist only of one gun fire control system. Western Electric SPG-53F and one MK 114 ASW fire control system for ASW torpedoes of 324 mm. All hulls have ASROC Mk 16 octuble launcher system. Allende-class frigates can operate one small on-board helicopter (MBB Bo 105).

Ships

• ARM Allende (F 211) (1997), former USS Stein (FF-1065)
• ARM Abasolo (F 212) (1997), former USS Marvin Shields (FF-1066)
• ARM Victoria (F 213) (2000), former USS Pharris (FF-1094)
• ARM Mina (F 214) (2002), former USS Whipple (FF-1062)

References

• Faulkner, K. (1999) Jane's Warship Recognition Guide. 2nd Edition. London: Harper Collins Publishers.
• Friedman, N. (1997) The Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Weapons Systems, 1997–1998. US Naval Institute Press.
• Wertheim, E. (2007) Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World: Their Ships, Aircraft, and Systems. 15 edition. US Naval Institute Press.