<p>The U.S. Navy frigate USS <i>Downes</i> (FF-1070) underway in the Pacific Ocean. In the 1970s, <i>Downes</i> was often used as a test ship. She was the only <i>Knox</i>-class frigate to receive a Mk 29 Improved basic point defense missile system (IBPDMS), able to launch the RIM-7F <i>Sea Sparrow</i> missile. Associated with the Mk 29 launcher was the TAS Mk 23 radar visible on the mack and the Mk 99 illumination radar on the mast above the bridge. The mast on the hangar was originally used for tests with the SPS-58 radar and later carried the SPS-40 radar after it was replaced bs TAS Mk 23 on the mack. In this photo SPS-40 was again replaced by a QE-82 satellite antenna.<br></p>
This photo also clearly shows that <i>Downes</i> received the enlarged helicopter hangar for the LAMPS I heliccopter (Kaman SH-2D/F <i>Seasprite</i>).
USN
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