HMS Ariadne was a Leander-class frigate of the Royal Navy, launched in 1971 and commissioned in 1973. As a Batch 3, "Broad-Beamed" Leander, she measured 372 feet (113.4 meters) overall and 360 feet (109.7 meters) at the waterline, with a beam of 43 feet (13.1 meters) and a maximum draught of 19 feet (5.8 meters). Her displacement was 2,500 long tons (2,540 tonnes) at standard and approximately 2,962 long tons (3,010 tonnes) at full load. Propulsion was provided by two oil-fired boilers feeding steam at 550 psi and 850°F to twin geared steam turbines, producing 30,000 shaft horsepower, driving two propellers, and enabling a maximum speed of 28 knots (52 km/h). Her operational range was 4,000 nautical miles at 15 knots. The ship’s armament included a twin 4.5-inch (113 mm) Mark 6 gun mount forward, a single Sea Cat missile launcher aft, and two Oerlikon 20mm cannons for close defense. She was equipped with a Limbo anti-submarine mortar, and her helicopter facilities accommodated a Westland Wasp for anti-submarine and surface operations. Her radar suite comprised a Type 965 long-range air search radar, Type 993 short-range radar, and Type 978 navigation radar. Fire control was managed by an MRS3 system, and sonar capabilities included Type 184, Type 162, Type 170, and Type 199 VDS. HMS Ariadne’s service record included fishery protection during the Second Cod War, a nine-month deployment to the Far East in 1974 supporting NATO operations and regional visits, and participation in the Beira Patrol. She served as guardship at Belize and was part of Standing Naval Force Atlantic (STANAVFORLANT). In 1983, she shadowed the Soviet cruiser Slava, exemplifying Cold War naval patrols. She underwent a refit in 1989, after which she joined the Dartmouth Training Squadron. In 1990, she participated in Endeavour '90, a six-month global circumnavigation covering 32,000 miles. Decommissioned in May 1992, HMS Ariadne was sold to Chile and renamed General Baquedano. She was decommissioned from the Chilean Navy in 1998 and ultimately sunk as a target in 2004. Her operational history reflects her role within the Royal Navy as a versatile and active frigate during the late 20th century.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.