CN Almirante Riveros (FF-18)

Multi-Mission Frigate Warship

Chile | 2007

"The former Dutch Navy frigate, HNLMS Tjerk Hiddes, stands in for the modern Chilean Navy CS Almirante Roveros FF-18 warship."

Image from the U.S. DoD DVIDS imagery database; Public Release.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 01/05/2022 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

In April 2007, the Chilean Navy commissioned into service CN Almirante Riveros (FF-18), a then-modern 3,300 ton multi-mission frigate. The warship is the former Dutch Navy's HNLMS Tjerk Hiddes of the Karel Doorman-class which began construction in October 1986, was launched in December of 1989, and entered commissioned service with the Royal Dutch Navy in February 1993. In this guise, the ship sailed until decommissioned in February 2006, ultimately being sold off to Chile along with HNLMS Abraham van der Hulst (F832) - the latter becoming CN Almirante Blanco Encalada (FF-15) in 1993.

CN Almirante Riveros remains in active service with the Chilean Navy as of this writing (December 2021). In her original form, she was constructed by the shipbuilders of Koninklijke Schelde Groep of Vissingen in Southwest Netherlands. Most of her time was spent in support of Dutch Navy actions around the Atlantic and Caribbean, eventually becoming a veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom (2001-2014) following the events of 9/11.

The service currently (2021) fields eight total frigates covering multi-mission, anti-submarine, and anti-aircraft roles. The oldest unit is Almirante Williams, formerly of the British Royal Navy, commissioned in 1988. Almirante Riveros is the newest addition to the force in being commissioned in 2007, two years after Blanco Encalada and both homeport out of Valparaiso.

Riveros displaces 3,320 tons and has an overall length of 401 feet, a beam of 47 feet, and a draught of 14 feet. The shallow draught allows for close-to-shore operations. Power is provided by 2 x Rolls-Royce Spey 1A series gas turbines outputting 16,700 horsepower each coupled to 2 x Stork-Werkspoor diesel units of 4,895 horsepower each. These are used to drive 2 x Shafts under stern allowing the vessel to hit speeds of nearly 30 knots. The propulsion scheme is arranged in CODOG - COmbined Diesel-Or-Gas - to ensure maximum fuel efficiency for the desired action (fast dash actions or general cruising).

Aboard is a crew of 174 personnel while an air arm detachment can operate a navy helicopter from the stern-based helipad. An attached hangar allows for at-sea support of the rotary-wing system.

As a multi-mission frigate, Riveros carries a broad armament set that includes ballistic and missile weapons. This is led by the 76mm OTO-Melara turreted deck gun over the forecastle. A single Goalkeeper system supplies point-defense against aerial threats and the vessel is further equipped with 4 x 324mm Mk.32 torpedo tubes (Mark 46 torpedo family) to counter surface and undersea ocean threats. The onboard helicopter can also support Anti-Ship and Anti-Submarine Warfare (AS&ASW) actions as well as provide Over-the-Horizon (OtH) and at-sea resupply assistance.

Structurally, the warships are rather anachronistic as modern frigates go: inherent stealth features are not obvious in the hull design due to the ship's origination in the latter Cold War period with the Dutch. The turreted deck gun is given acceptable engagement angles from the forecastle and the bridge section sits atop its usual place at the forward hull superstructure. The main mast is integrated to the bridge section though the component is of the exposed kind. The smoke funnels are of a low-profile, enclosed design and sit at midships. A second hull superstructure is noted aft containing other prominent sensors and processing systems. This section also houses the helicopter hangar and its inherent support facilities. The hangar leads out to the unobstructed helipad over the stern.

Almirante Riveros took part in the joint-nation operation "Exercise UNITAS Atlantic" during 2015.

Content ©MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.

Power & Performance
Those special qualities that separate one sea-going vessel design from another. Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for CN Almirante Riveros (FF-18).

CODOG (COmbined Diesel-Or-Gas): 2 x Rolls-Royce Spey 1A gas turbines developing 16,700 horsepower with 2 x Stork-Werkspoor diesel engines developing 4,895 horsepower; 2 x Shafts.
Propulsion

29.0 kts
33.4 mph
Surface Speed

4,345 nm
5,000 miles | 8,047 km
Range

Structure
The bow-to-stern, port-to-starboard physical qualities of CN Almirante Riveros (FF-18).

174
Personnel
Complement

401.1 ft
122.26 meters
O/A Length

47.1 ft
14.36 meters
Beam

14.0 ft
4.27 meters
Draught

3,320
tons
Displacement

Armament
Available supported armament and special-mission equipment featured in the design of CN Almirante Riveros (FF-18).

1 x 76mm OTO-Melara turreted deck gun.
1 x Goalkeeper Close-In Weapon System (CIWS).
4 x 324mm Mk.32 torpedo launchers (Mark 46 torpedo family).

Air Arm
Available supported fixed-wing / rotary-wing aircraft featured in the design of CN Almirante Riveros (FF-18).

1 x Navy helicopter operated / supported through the stern-based helipad / hangar sections.

Ships-in-Class (2)
Notable series variants as part of the CN Almirante Riveros (FF-18) family line as relating to the Karel Doorman-class group.

CS Almirante Blanco Encalada (FF-15); CS Almirante Riveros (FF-18)

Operators
Global operator(s) of the CN Almirante Riveros (FF-18). Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national naval warfare listing.

Shipbuilder(s): Koninklijke Schelde Group - Netherlands

[ Chile ]

1 / 1

Image of the CN Almirante Riveros (FF-18)

Image from the U.S. DoD DVIDS imagery database; Public Release.

Going Further...
CN Almirante Riveros (FF-18) Multi-Mission Frigate Warship appears in the following collections:

Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Cookies

2024 Military Pay Scale Military Ranks of the World U.S. Department of Defense Dictionary Conversion Calculators Military Alphabet Code Military Map Symbols Breakdown U.S. 5-Star Generals List WWII Weapons by Country World War Next

The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com. No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

Part of a network of sites that includes GlobalFirepower, a data-driven property used in ranking the top military powers of the world, WDMMA.org (World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft), WDMMW.org (World Directory of Modern Military Warships), SR71blackbird.org, detailing the history of the world's most iconic spyplane, and MilitaryRibbons.info, cataloguing military medals and ribbons. Special Interest: RailRoad Junction, the locomotive encyclopedia.

©2024 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • Content ©2003-2024 (21yrs)