Knox class frigate

Knox class frigates was originally laid down as ocean escorts (formerly called destroyer escorts), but were all redesignated as frigates on 30 June 1975 in the USN 1975 ship reclassification and their hull designation changed from DE to FF.

Related Topics:
Ocean escorts - Destroyer escort - Frigate - 30 June - 1975 - USN 1975 ship reclassification

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The lead ship of the class was the USS Knox (DE-1052), laid down October 5, 1965 and commissioned April 12, 1969, at Todd Shipyards in Seattle.

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These ships were designed primarily as antisubmarine (ASW) platforms. At 4200 tonnes, with a length of 438 feet and a beam of 47 feet, they are driven by a single screw geared turbine developing 35,000 shaft horsepower (SHP), giving them a speed of 27 knots. The steam plant for these ships consists of two boilers, each equipped with a high-pressure (supercharger) forced draught air supply system, allowing a plant working pressure of 1,200 PSI and superheat. This design allows fast acceleration, crucial while prosecuting a submarine attack. They are equipped with one 5"/54 (five inch, 54 calibre) Mark 42 gun forward, an ASROC abaft the gun and forward of the bridge, and a 20 millimetre Phalanx close-in weapons system. Since they are single purpose platforms their surface defense capability is nominal; however they do mount Harpoon missiles and Mk-46 torpedoes. They are equipped with a helicopter hangar aft.

Related Topics:
Antisubmarine - ASROC

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The lead ship was commissioned in 1965. They were retired with the end of the Cold War and the removal of the need for an advanced ASW capability. By 1994 all ships of this class had been retired from the US Navy, although some remain in service with foreign nations such as Taiwan.

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