|
NAe ''São Paulo'' is a currently in service with the Brazilian Navy. ''São Paulo'' was first commissioned in 1963 by the French Navy as and was transferred in 2000 to Brazil, where she became the new flagship of the Brazilian Navy. In December 2014 it was announced that ''São Paulo'' will be expected to continue active service until 2039, at which time the vessel will be nearly 80 years old. IHS Janes reported that during its career with the Brazilian Navy, ''São Paulo'' has suffered from servicability issues and has never managed to operate for more than three months at a time without the need for repairs and maintenance.〔(Brazil seeking to modernise Sao Paulo aircraft carrier, extend life to 2039 ), janes.com, 8 December 2014〕 ==Background== The aircraft carrier ''São Paulo'' was built in France between 1957 and 1960, and served in the French Navy as ''Foch''. In September 2000, she was purchased by Brazil for US$30 million — no aircraft were included in the price — to replace the aged World War II-era carrier , which had been in commission for over 40 years. Brazil had previously approached other countries, such as Spain, who wanted to construct a US$500 million carrier for Brazil, about the acquisition of a carrier. The government had already purchased a flotilla of 23 used A-4 Skyhawk fighter planes from Kuwait for $70 million; these planes, along with existing helicopters already in the national defense inventory, were to compose the ''São Paulo'' fighter-bomber group. These A-4s (designated AF-1) are capable of carrying armament including rockets, free-fall bombs, and Sidewinder air-to-air missiles. The ''Clemenceau''-class aircraft carriers, of which ''São Paulo'' is the last surviving member, are of conventional CATOBAR design. The flight deck is long by wide; the landing area is angled at 8 degrees off of the ship's axis. The forward aircraft elevator is to starboard, and the rear elevator is positioned on the deck edge to save hangar space. The forward of two catapults is on the bow to port; the second catapult is farther back on the angled landing deck. The hangar deck dimensions are by with overhead. In September 2000, ''São Paulo'' was purchased while still operational,〔 an unusual process for such a large ship. She was received by the Brazilian Navy and was incorporated into the Brazilian Navy on 15 November 2000. The incorporation of ''São Paulo'' and the AF-1 fighter group marked the realization of Brazil's long-held goal of being able to conduct aerial defense of its naval forces with fixed-wing aircraft. President Fernando Henrique Cardoso noted during the transfer ceremony that: Since her construction, ''São Paulo'' has received multiple upgrades, leaving her with a diverse range of technologies. In her current form, she is expected to remain effective in her role for the foreseeable future, though further modernization efforts are expected as she is converted into a combat-ready vessel. The carrier arrived in Rio de Janeiro on 17 February 2001.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Brazilian aircraft carrier São Paulo (A12)」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
|