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able
and hydraulically powered Schottel
'hdge deck for ease of access. Engine gearbox component removal is aided
by
and
designated routes, clear deck areas Portable plates. These can also ac-
'ass 'nclude a displacement of 662 tons, 8 o?Vera” *en8t^1 °f 202 feet, draft of ch®4 feet, and breadth of 32.5 feet. The rSen hull design was finalized from us accumulated following extensive l 0 e' Inals carried out by British Ship- 1 ders Hydrodynamics Ltd., with it dating fun R0yai Navy stability stan- ards. These include the ability to with- and the rapid flooding of any two adja- tQnt COmpartments, a parameter difficult attain on such a small displacement, he ships have twin engines (medium Teed diesels, Type APE Crossley/SEMT
drivi
°Pellor. The diesels are designed to I terate 14,188 horsepower. Each unit is cated in a separate compartment, with ^Pace economy being achieved by the use a stepped dividing bulkhead. A retractue.er’ng and thrust nozzle provides a
lJUque “loiter-drive” capability at se-
cted low speeds, and independently of
P|C htain engines. Three G and M Power
ant alternator sets provide electrical
B tt®1"’ ani* are driven by Dorman Type
*CWZ marine diesels, each with a
^ axirnum continuous rating of 340 brake
j hfsepower. Two of these sets are located
j ’he aft machinery space, and the other
’he forward one. Emergency electrical
vver comes from a 68-kilowatt altema-
-pf set, this being driven by a Perkins
, ype-63544 diesel, and located on the br ■
and ?rnmodate complete main alternator set anges. Care has additionally been
taken that these changes result in minimal disturbance to fittings, pipework, cabling, and other internal equipment.
Each vessel is complemented for six officers, eight senior ratings, and up to 30 junior ratings. Single and double cabins and a wardroom are provided for the officers, while senior ratings have a combined dining/recreation area with two four-berth cabins. A combined dining/ recreation space, one eight-berth, and two 11-berth cabins are provided for the junior ratings. The galley caters for the whole ship’s company, and a high degree of air conditioning and ventilation has been achieved for accommodation and working spaces by the use of two Mar- ryat-Jackson and Norris systems. These are designed to cater to Hong Kong’s considerable climatic variations, and, together with refrigerating machinery, are in the main deck superstructure.
In common with modem trends, the vessels are modestly armed; each ship carries a single 76-mm. Oto-Melara gun on a raised platform forward. Below this is the gun bay, gun control room, and main magazine. A Sea Archer fire control system also incorporates a bridge top- mounted optical fire director for the main armament. Launchers for two-inch rocket flares are fitted on the after part of the bridge deck, and up to four general-purpose machine guns are positioned about the upperworks. Space is provided below for a variety of crew personal weapons for the boarding task. This is normally accomplished by means of two rigid inflatable Avon Sea Raider craft with well- proven outboard drive, widely used throughout the service. These are stowed on the main deck, with Hastie hydraulic cranes for launching and recovery in most sea states.
Twin rudders confer enhanced steering capabilities, and are controlled by Type KLCS-20 equipment, and operated by a combined electrical system and automatic pilot control unit. The anchor and warping windlass is electrohydraulic, and is fitted to take 25-mm.-grade, U-2 stud link chain cable. Anchor weight is 1,100 pounds, and the installation is conventionally mounted on the after main deck. An electrohydraulic capstan is mounted on the after main deck, this being a two- ton KLC-50 unit, with a 406-mm.-diameter drum. Windlass, capstan, and steering gear are of K and L Marine manufacture. Each vessel’s stem is configured to allow helicopter winching and resupply, and replenishment-at-sea outriggers for ammunition and stores are located on the forward superstructure.
Navigation and communications equipment meet Royal Navy warship standards, with the choice being influenced by the confined waters of much of the ships’ operational area. Radar is Kelvin Hughes Type 1006, and its Echo- sounder MS-45 Mk-3 is also fitted. The gyrocompass of an NCSI type and a comprehensive Racal/Decca fit are provided. A rationalized internal communications system is also fitted.
The first ship, HMS Peacock, was built in Hall Russell’s graving dock, and floated out without ceremony late in 1982 for June 1983 completion. HMS Plover was launched from the builders’ new covered building hall in April, and entered service in late 1983. The Starling, Swallow, and Swift are scheduled to enter service this year.
Mr. Ferguson is a correspondent for Flight International and Aviation News.
j^azilian Navy Progress Report
y teduardo Italo Pesce
. Perhaps the most important military ttSs°n of the Falklands Conflict is that ^ost wars must be fought with what is 'ready on hand or available on short noICe- The 49,000-man Brazilian Navy ^rrently operates about 100 ships, but ”e fleet includes only one aircraft car-
’ir°ceedings / March 1984 rier, ten destroyers, six frigates, seven submarines, six minesweepers, nine amphibious warfare ships, and three logistic support ships. Most vessels are scheduled for decommissioning within this decade, and replacements will be delayed because of the economic situation. Recent cuts in the 1983 budget have forced the navy to revise its operations and major exercises, so as not to reduce training.
A fleet without air cover will not survive in the missile age. The 19,890-ton Brazilian aircraft carrier, Minas Gerais
157