Buque de Proyección Estratégica

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Computer simulation of the Buque de proyección estratégica

Buque de Proyección Estratégica (Strategic projection vessel, similar to an LHD) is a planned multipurpose warship for the Spanish Navy (Armada Española). The concept was approved in September 2003 and Navantia (formerly part of the Izar shipyards in Ferrol) began construction of the 231-metre 27,000-ton amphibious assault/VSTOL aircraft carrier in 2005. The launching is scheduled for 2007, and she will be given to the Navy in 2008. Its most probably name will be Juan Carlos I, in honour of the current king of Spain.

The construction is in a historical frame characterized by the decreasing budgets and the gradual assumption of international responsibilities on the part of Spain. The new vessel is to play an important role in the Fleet. A platform that not only supports the mobility of the Marines (probably it will replace the "cornudas", L-41 Hernán Cortés and L-42 Pizarro of the Newport class), but that will act like possible platform for the carrier-based aviation, and the strategic transport of ground forces as required.

The capacity of personnel of the ship will be of around 900 Naval personnel, with equipments and support elements for 1,200 soldiers. Multi-functional garage and hangar space on two levels of 6,000 m², with capacity for 6,000 tonnes load each. A stern dock being able to lodge up to four LCM-1e boats or one LCAC.

If used as an aircraft carrier the vessel will have a flight deck of 201.9 metres with 'ski-jump', and six points for Harrier, JSF or medium helicopters, or four points for heavy helicopters of the CH-47 Chinook type. She can carry up to 20 Harriers in the full aircraft carrier mode, using the light vehicles bay as storage zone.

For the first time in a unit of the Spanish Navy, the ship will use diesel-electrical propulsion, simultaneously connecting both diesels and the gas turbine to a pair of azimuthal pods .

Construction started in May 2005 simultaneously in Ferrol (with the cut of the first plate corresponding to Block 320) and in Fene (with the cut of the first plate corresponding to Block 330). The ship, that supposes a service load of 3,100,000 hours of production and 775,000 hours of Engineering, will be launched in November 2007 and it will be given to the Navy in December 2008.