Principe de Asturias (R11)
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| Career (Spain) |  |
|---|---|
| Namesake: | Prince of Asturias |
| Ordered: | 29 May 1977 |
| Builder: | Bazán, Ferrol |
| Laid down: | 8 October 1979 |
| Launched: | 22 May 1982 |
| Commissioned: | 30 May 1988 |
| Homeport: | Rota naval air base |
| Fate: | Active |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement: | 13,400 t empty, 17,190 t full load |
| Length: | 197 m |
| Beam: | 24.3 m |
| Draught: | 9.4 m |
| Propulsion: | 2 × General Electric LM2500+ gas turbines in COGAG configuration |
| Speed: | 27 knots (50 km/h) |
| Range: | 6,500 nm (12,000 km) |
| Complement: | 600 ship crew, 230 air crew |
| Sensors and processing systems: |
Raytheon SPS-52C/D 3D air search radar, ISC Cardion SPS-55 surface search radar, ITT SPN-35A aircraft control radar, FABA SPG-M2B fire control radar, SELEX Sistemi Integrati RTN-11L/X missile approach warning radar, Selex RAN 12 L target designation radar |
| Electronic warfare and decoys: |
Nettunel electronic countermeasures unit, Super RBOC, Sensytech AN/SLQ-25 Nixie decoy |
| Armament: | 4 x FABA Meroka Mod 2B CIWS, 12 × Oerlikon L120 20 mm guns |
| Aircraft carried: | 29 fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft |
| Aviation facilities: | 12° ski jump 46.5m in length |
The Príncipe de Asturias (R-11) is an aircraft carrier, and 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 seaplane tender SPS Dédalo (1922) and later the homonymous 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 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 helicopters, usually Sikorsky Sea King SH-3H, Agusta AB-212 and 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 initial US Navy's 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 Naruebet delivered in 1997 is based on her design.
[edit] 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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[edit] External links
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