NAeL São Paulo
Encyclopedia
NAe São Paulo (A12) is a Clemenceau-class
aircraft carrier
currently in service with the Brazilian Navy
. The São Paulo was first commissioned in 1963 as the French Navy
's Foch, and transferred to Brazil
in 2000.
of the Brazilian Navy
. It replaced the World War II
-era carrier Minas Gerais
, which was in commission for over 40 years. The São Paulo is newer, bigger, faster and has greater operational capacity than its predecessor.
The former French Foch was bought to replace the aged Minas Gerais at a bargain price of US$12 million in 2000, no aircraft included. The government had already purchased a flotilla of used A-4 Skyhawk fighters from Kuwait
for $70 million. Brazil's A-4s are capable of carrying armament including rockets, free-fall bombs and Sidewinder
air-to-air missiles, though the São Paulo currently serves mainly to train pilots to fly carrier operations.
President
Fernando Henrique Cardoso
noted during the transfer ceremony that:
Since its construction, the ship has received multiple upgrades over the years, leaving it with a diverse range of technologies. In its current form, it is expected to remain effective in its role for the foreseeable future, though further modernization efforts are expected as it is converted into a combat ready vessel. Twenty-three A-4 Skyhawk
have been acquired (designated AF-1) to compose the fighter-bomber group of São Paulo, together with the existing helicopters already in the national defense inventory.
The aircraft carrier São Paulo was constructed in France from 1957 to 1960. It served the French Navy
as Foch. Its purchase by the Brazilian government in September 2000 while still operational was an unknown process for a ship of this caliber, and it was received by the Brazilian Navy in only two months and fifteen days and incorporated on 15 November 2000. The incorporation of São Paulo and the AF-1 to the Navy of Brazil realized a long-held goal of being able to carry through the aerial defense of the naval forces with fixed-wing aircraft.
In the first three years of service as São Paulo, the ship completed several missions, some in foreign waters (particularly Operations ARAEX, PASSEX
, and TEMPEREX which is annually used to qualify and train Super Etendards and S-2T Turbo Trackers
of the Argentine Navy
)
s; maintenance of the surface condensers; retubing of boiler
s; repair of two high-pressure compressor
s; revision of the alternating current
electrical generator
and purchase of spare parts; maintenance of pumps, valves and structural items; purchase of two API oil-water separator
s; installation of two water cooling units; upgrade of the chemical oxygen generator
; repair and treatment of oil tanks; substitution of the Naval Tactical Data System
; installation of a closed-circuit television
system; installation of IFF
transponder; installation of MAGE system (ESM
); flight deck inspection, repair and painting; upgrade of the Optical Landing System
processing unit; revision of the aircraft catapult
s. The upgrade was complete in July 2009, and the São Paulo was initially due to be fully operational by August 2010.
Twelve Brazilian Navy A-4 Skyhawk will also be upgraded by Embraer
at a cost of $140 million. The upgrade will be similar to the ones done for the AMX
and F-5EM aircraft of the Brazilian Air Force
. The program includes restoring the aircraft and their current systems, as well as implementing new avionics, radar, power production, and autonomous oxygen generating systems. Possible weapons to be included in the upgrade are Python 4 and Derby AAMS.
The Brazilian Navy has contracted Marsh Aviation
to convert four S-2T Turbo Trackers
to AEW configuration, and four more for tanking and COD duties.
According to an article in the October 2010 issue of Air Forces Monthly, it has been confirmed that Brazil has purchased EX-USN C-1 Trader airframes, ex-Australian and ex-Uruguayan airframes for conversion into AEW planes and Tanker aircraft. All the planes are to upgraded to S-2T Turbo Tracker configuration with Honeywell TPE 331-14GR engines. The purchase includes 9 airframes, 2 for tanker conversion to refuel the AF-1 Skyhawks, and 3 for AEW. The rest will be for spares or cargo duties. The AEW radar requirement is to have a range of 250 miles at 25,000 feet. Operational lifespan for the airframes is to be 10 years. They are to be ready by 2011 and 2012.
The São Paulos SH-3 helicopter fleet is to be replaced by six ex-USN
S-70B Seahawk
helicopters. They were purchased in 2008, upgraded and refurbished for delivery. The helicopters and a package of engines and support equipment were expected to be delivered in 2009.
At the end of 2010, sea trials began, and as of 2011 the São Paulo has been evaluated by the CIASA (Inspection Commission and Training Advisory). It is expected to rejoin the fleet in late 2011.
).
It is actively used for the qualification and re-qualification of rotary and fixed-wing pilots (with about 500 catapult launches) and the first Brazilian exercises to practice carrier-based attack missions.
Clemenceau class aircraft carrier
The Clemenceau class aircraft carrier are a pair of aircraft carriers which served in the French Navy from 1961 through 2000, and of which one currently remains in active service with the Brazilian Navy...
aircraft carrier
Aircraft carrier
An aircraft carrier is a warship designed with a primary mission of deploying and recovering aircraft, acting as a seagoing airbase. Aircraft carriers thus allow a naval force to project air power worldwide without having to depend on local bases for staging aircraft operations...
currently in service with the Brazilian Navy
Brazilian Navy
The Brazilian Navy is a branch of the Brazilian Armed Forces responsible for conducting naval operations. It is the largest navy in Latin America...
. The São Paulo was first commissioned in 1963 as the French Navy
French Navy
The French Navy, officially the Marine nationale and often called La Royale is the maritime arm of the French military. It includes a full range of fighting vessels, from patrol boats to a nuclear powered aircraft carrier and 10 nuclear-powered submarines, four of which are capable of launching...
's Foch, and transferred to Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
in 2000.
Background
São Paulo is the flagshipFlagship
A flagship is a vessel used by the commanding officer of a group of naval ships, reflecting the custom of its commander, characteristically a flag officer, flying a distinguishing flag...
of the Brazilian Navy
Brazilian Navy
The Brazilian Navy is a branch of the Brazilian Armed Forces responsible for conducting naval operations. It is the largest navy in Latin America...
. It replaced the World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
-era carrier Minas Gerais
NAeL Minas Gerais
NAeL Minas Gerais was a operated by the Marinha do Brasil from 1960 until 2001. The ship was laid down for the Royal Navy during World War II as , but was completed only shortly before the war's end, and did not see service...
, which was in commission for over 40 years. The São Paulo is newer, bigger, faster and has greater operational capacity than its predecessor.
The former French Foch was bought to replace the aged Minas Gerais at a bargain price of US$12 million in 2000, no aircraft included. The government had already purchased a flotilla of used A-4 Skyhawk fighters from Kuwait
Kuwait
The State of Kuwait is a sovereign Arab state situated in the north-east of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south at Khafji, and Iraq to the north at Basra. It lies on the north-western shore of the Persian Gulf. The name Kuwait is derived from the...
for $70 million. Brazil's A-4s are capable of carrying armament including rockets, free-fall bombs and Sidewinder
Sidewinder
Sidewinder may refer to:* Crotalus cerastes, a venomous pit-viper species found in the southwestern United StatesIn military and aviation* AIM-9 Sidewinder, a heat-seeking, short-range, air-to-air missile...
air-to-air missiles, though the São Paulo currently serves mainly to train pilots to fly carrier operations.
President
President of Brazil
The president of Brazil is both the head of state and head of government of the Federative Republic of Brazil. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the Brazilian Armed Forces...
Fernando Henrique Cardoso
Fernando Henrique Cardoso
Fernando Henrique Cardoso – also known by his initials FHC – was the 34th President of the Federative Republic of Brazil for two terms from January 1, 1995 to December 31, 2002. He is an accomplished sociologist, professor and politician...
noted during the transfer ceremony that:
Since its construction, the ship has received multiple upgrades over the years, leaving it with a diverse range of technologies. In its current form, it is expected to remain effective in its role for the foreseeable future, though further modernization efforts are expected as it is converted into a combat ready vessel. Twenty-three A-4 Skyhawk
A-4 Skyhawk
The Douglas A-4 Skyhawk is a carrier-capable ground-attack aircraft designed for the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps. The delta winged, single-engined Skyhawk was designed and produced by Douglas Aircraft Company, and later McDonnell Douglas. It was originally designated the A4D...
have been acquired (designated AF-1) to compose the fighter-bomber group of São Paulo, together with the existing helicopters already in the national defense inventory.
Brazilian service
French Navy
The French Navy, officially the Marine nationale and often called La Royale is the maritime arm of the French military. It includes a full range of fighting vessels, from patrol boats to a nuclear powered aircraft carrier and 10 nuclear-powered submarines, four of which are capable of launching...
as Foch. Its purchase by the Brazilian government in September 2000 while still operational was an unknown process for a ship of this caliber, and it was received by the Brazilian Navy in only two months and fifteen days and incorporated on 15 November 2000. The incorporation of São Paulo and the AF-1 to the Navy of Brazil realized a long-held goal of being able to carry through the aerial defense of the naval forces with fixed-wing aircraft.
In the first three years of service as São Paulo, the ship completed several missions, some in foreign waters (particularly Operations ARAEX, PASSEX
PASSEX
A PASSEX is a U.S. Navy term for a "passing exercise". Almost any US military term in all capitals ending in ...EX is some type of an exercise.A passing exercise is done between any two navies for the official reason of ensuring that the two different navies are able to communicate and cooperate...
, and TEMPEREX which is annually used to qualify and train Super Etendards and S-2T Turbo Trackers
S-2 Tracker
The Grumman S-2 Tracker was the first purpose-built, single airframe anti-submarine warfare aircraft to enter service with the US Navy. The Tracker was of conventional design with twin engines, a high wing and tricycle undercarriage. The type was exported to a number of navies around the world...
of the Argentine Navy
Argentine Navy
The Navy of the Argentine Republic or Armada of the Argentine Republic is the navy of Argentina. It is one of the three branches of the Armed Forces of the Argentine Republic, together with the Army and the Air Force....
)
Upgrade (2005–2010) and sea trials
During 2005–10, the São Paulo underwent an extensive modernization program. The upgrade included: inspection and repair of the steam turbineSteam turbine
A steam turbine is a mechanical device that extracts thermal energy from pressurized steam, and converts it into rotary motion. Its modern manifestation was invented by Sir Charles Parsons in 1884....
s; maintenance of the surface condensers; retubing of boiler
Boiler
A boiler is a closed vessel in which water or other fluid is heated. The heated or vaporized fluid exits the boiler for use in various processes or heating applications.-Materials:...
s; repair of two high-pressure compressor
Gas compressor
A gas compressor is a mechanical device that increases the pressure of a gas by reducing its volume.Compressors are similar to pumps: both increase the pressure on a fluid and both can transport the fluid through a pipe. As gases are compressible, the compressor also reduces the volume of a gas...
s; revision of the alternating current
Alternating current
In alternating current the movement of electric charge periodically reverses direction. In direct current , the flow of electric charge is only in one direction....
electrical generator
Electrical generator
In electricity generation, an electric generator is a device that converts mechanical energy to electrical energy. A generator forces electric charge to flow through an external electrical circuit. It is analogous to a water pump, which causes water to flow...
and purchase of spare parts; maintenance of pumps, valves and structural items; purchase of two API oil-water separator
API oil-water separator
An API oil-water separator is a device designed to separate gross amounts of oil and suspended solids from the wastewater effluents of oil refineries, petrochemical plants, chemical plants, natural gas processing plants and other industrial sources...
s; installation of two water cooling units; upgrade of the chemical oxygen generator
Chemical oxygen generator
A chemical oxygen generator is a device releasing oxygen created by a chemical reaction. The oxygen source is usually an inorganic superoxide, chlorate, or perchlorate. A promising group of oxygen sources are ozonides. The generators are usually ignited mechanically, by a firing pin, and the...
; repair and treatment of oil tanks; substitution of the Naval Tactical Data System
Naval Tactical Data System
Naval Tactical Data System, commonly NTDS, refers to a computerized information processing system developed by the United States Navy in the 1950s and first deployed in the early 1960s for use in combat ships.- Reason for development :...
; installation of a closed-circuit television
Closed-circuit television
Closed-circuit television is the use of video cameras to transmit a signal to a specific place, on a limited set of monitors....
system; installation of IFF
IFF
IFF, Iff or iff may refer to:Technology/Science:* Identification friend or foe, an electronic radio-based identification system using transponders...
transponder; installation of MAGE system (ESM
Electronic warfare support measures
In military telecommunications, the terms Electronic Support or Electronic Support Measures describe the division of electronic warfare involving actions taken under direct control of an operational commander to detect, intercept, identify, locate, record, and/or analyze sources of radiated...
); flight deck inspection, repair and painting; upgrade of the Optical Landing System
Optical Landing System
An optical landing system is used to give glidepath information to pilots in the terminal phase of landing on an aircraft carrier...
processing unit; revision of the aircraft catapult
Aircraft catapult
An aircraft catapult is a device used to launch aircraft from ships—in particular aircraft carriers—as a form of assisted take off. It consists of a track built into the flight deck, below which is a large piston or shuttle that is attached through the track to the nose gear of the aircraft, or in...
s. The upgrade was complete in July 2009, and the São Paulo was initially due to be fully operational by August 2010.
Twelve Brazilian Navy A-4 Skyhawk will also be upgraded by Embraer
Embraer
Embraer S.A. is a Brazilian aerospace conglomerate that produces commercial, military, and executive aircraft and provides aeronautical services....
at a cost of $140 million. The upgrade will be similar to the ones done for the AMX
AMX International AMX
|-See also:-References:NotesBibliography*Braybrook, Roy. "Assessing the AMX". Air International, June 1989, Vol 36 No 6. Bromley, UK:Fine Scroll. ISSN 0306-5634. pp. 267–278....
and F-5EM aircraft of the Brazilian Air Force
Brazilian Air Force
The Brazilian Air Force is the air branch of the Brazilian Armed Forces and one of the three national uniformed services. The FAB was formed when the Army and Navy air branch were merged into a single military force initially called "National Air Forces"...
. The program includes restoring the aircraft and their current systems, as well as implementing new avionics, radar, power production, and autonomous oxygen generating systems. Possible weapons to be included in the upgrade are Python 4 and Derby AAMS.
The Brazilian Navy has contracted Marsh Aviation
Marsh Aviation
Marsh Aviation is an aircraft engineering, design, maintenance and re-manufacturing company, situated on East Falcon Drive, at Falcon Field in Mesa, Arizona. The company often works as a sub-contractor to well-known brand-name aerospace companies, discreetly designing and manufacturing components...
to convert four S-2T Turbo Trackers
S-2 Tracker
The Grumman S-2 Tracker was the first purpose-built, single airframe anti-submarine warfare aircraft to enter service with the US Navy. The Tracker was of conventional design with twin engines, a high wing and tricycle undercarriage. The type was exported to a number of navies around the world...
to AEW configuration, and four more for tanking and COD duties.
According to an article in the October 2010 issue of Air Forces Monthly, it has been confirmed that Brazil has purchased EX-USN C-1 Trader airframes, ex-Australian and ex-Uruguayan airframes for conversion into AEW planes and Tanker aircraft. All the planes are to upgraded to S-2T Turbo Tracker configuration with Honeywell TPE 331-14GR engines. The purchase includes 9 airframes, 2 for tanker conversion to refuel the AF-1 Skyhawks, and 3 for AEW. The rest will be for spares or cargo duties. The AEW radar requirement is to have a range of 250 miles at 25,000 feet. Operational lifespan for the airframes is to be 10 years. They are to be ready by 2011 and 2012.
The São Paulos SH-3 helicopter fleet is to be replaced by six ex-USN
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
S-70B Seahawk
SH-60 Seahawk
The Sikorsky SH-60/MH-60 Seahawk is a twin turboshaft engine, multi-mission United States Navy helicopter based on the United States Army UH-60 Black Hawk and a member of the Sikorsky S-70 family. The most significant airframe modification is a hinged tail to reduce its footprint aboard ships.The...
helicopters. They were purchased in 2008, upgraded and refurbished for delivery. The helicopters and a package of engines and support equipment were expected to be delivered in 2009.
At the end of 2010, sea trials began, and as of 2011 the São Paulo has been evaluated by the CIASA (Inspection Commission and Training Advisory). It is expected to rejoin the fleet in late 2011.
Crew
São Paulo's complement is 1,920 (the ship's company is 64 officers and 1274 sailors, plus there are 582 in the air groupBrazilian Naval Aviation
Brazilian Naval Aviation is the air arm of the Brazilian Navy. It was organized in August 1916, after creation of a naval aviation school and an aviation flotilla. Its roles include aircraft carrier support, fleet air defense, reconnaissance, transport of marine personnel, and anti-submarine warfare...
).
It is actively used for the qualification and re-qualification of rotary and fixed-wing pilots (with about 500 catapult launches) and the first Brazilian exercises to practice carrier-based attack missions.
See also
- List of aircraft carriers
- List of ship commissionings in 2000
- NAeL Minas Gerais