CS Almirante Blanco Encalada has retained her original powerplant - 2 x Rolls-Royce Spey 1A series gas turbines of 16,700 horsepower coupled to 2 x Stork-Werkspoor diesel engines of 4,895 horsepower. This hybrid powerplant coupling allows the ship crew to utilize whichever engine fit serves the current desired running speed - cruising or fast dash - and serves as a fuel efficient measure. Overall speeds can reach up to 29 knots in ideal conditions and range reaches out to 5,000 miles when traveling at 18 knots.
The ship boasts well-accepted frigate warship qualities including a stern flight deck for launching and retrieving naval helicopters of light to medium sizes. It typically carries a Westland "Lynx" series medium-lift helicopter which can serve as either transport for at-sea resupply or in the Anti-Ship Warfare (ASW) role while also providing for over-the-horizon capabilities in aiding the onboard search-and-tracking systems of the ship itself.
Armament is a broad range of systems typical of frigate types, projectile-based and missile-minded in nature. Firepower is headed by 1 x 76mm /62 caliber OTO-Melara Compact Mk 100 Dual-Purpose (DP) turreted deck gun fitted along the forecastle ahead of the bridge superstructure. Close-in defense is through the aforementioned 30mm General Electric Gatling gun tied to the Signaal SGE-30 "Goalkeeper" digitally-controlled system providing volume-fire protection against high-speed, inbound aerial threats such as cruise missiles and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). The ship also carries 4 x Mk 32 series 324mm torpedo tubes using the Mark 46 torpedo. In this way, the Blanco Encalada can engage all manner of threats - be they air, surface or underwater in nature - by way of its varied armament suite.
As is the case with other ships of this type, Almirante Blanco Encalada is outfitted with launched decoys and a towed torpedo array for a basic level of self-preservation in an active warzone.
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