Spanish aircraft carrier Príncipe de Asturias
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The aircraft carrier Príncipe de Asturias (R-11) is the flagship of the Spanish Navy. She was built in Bazan's Shipyards and delivered to the Spanish Navy on May 30th 1988.
Spain has operated aircraft carriers since the 1920s, initially with the SPS Portahidros (1922) and the light carrier SPS Dédalo, which was formerly the US Navy's World War II light carrier USS Cabot. The SPS Dédalo has been replaced as the navy's fleet flagship by the Principe de Asturias.
The ship is permanently assigned to the Alpha Group, comprising the carrier and six Santa Maria-class frigates (a Spanish version of the USN Oliver H. Perry FFGs). Other vessels such as logistic ships, tankers and corvettes are frequently assigned to the Group when required. Principe de Asturias and the Alpha Group have participated in peace support operations in the Adriatic sea.
The ship supports up to 12 AV-8B Harrier II Bravo or AV-8B Harrier II Plus aircraft. The Harriers are armed with AIM-9 Sidewinder and AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles, AGM-88 HARM anti-radiation missile and AGM-65 Maverick air-to-ground missiles, in addition to GAU-12U cannon. The carrier also has facilities to support up to 12 helicopters, usually six Sikorsky Sea King SH-3H, four Agusta AB-212 and two Sikorsky SH-3 AEW (Airborne Early Warning) helicopters.
The ship supports a maximum of 29 fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft with up to 12 on deck and 17 aircraft in the hangar. The hangar which measures 2,398 m² is accessed by two flight deck lifts. The 5,100 m² flight deck is 176 m in length. Operating V/STOL aircraft, the carrier has the characteristic "ski-jump" (12° here), with the runway sightly off the longitudinal axis, tilted portside.
The self-defense armament includes four near defense Meroka systems and six chaff decoy launchers. For offensive weapons, the ship relies on the capabilities of her embarked aircraft. For anti-submarine defense, she relies upon the detection capacity and attacks of her SH-3D helicopters.
The design is basically that of the US Navy's abortive Sea Control Ship of the 1970s, modified to enable V/STOL aircraft to be carried. Constructed by the National Company Bazan (then Empresa Nacional Bazán, now Navantia) in their shipyard at Ferrol, Principe de Asturias was delivered to the Navy on May 30, 1988. The construction process had begun eleven years previously, on the May 29, 1977. The processing of the steel began on March 1, 1978 and the keel was laid on October 8, 1979. On May 22, 1982, in a ceremony presided over by HM King Don Juan Carlos, the launch took place, with HM Queen Doña Sofía as the godmother. The ship made her first trials in November of 1987.
The Thai HTMS Chakri Nareubet delivered in 1997 is based on her design.
New Ship
In 2008, Principe de Asturias will be joined by another Spanish-built carrier, Juan Carlos I, designated a 'Buque de Proyección Estratégica' (Strategic Projection Ship). She will be mainly used as an aircraft carrier and helicopter carrier in over the horizon amphibious operations for the Infanteria de Marina.
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