Aircraft carrier HTMS Chakri Naruebet Thailand

HTMS Chakri Naruebet, the first aircraft carrier and the only Thai-owned shipyard built by the Spanish Izar (formerly EN Bazan) for the Royal Thai Navy (Royal Thai Navy / RTN). In February 2005, Izar shipyard Navantia again changed its name. 

Royal Navy aircraft carrier HTMS Chakri Naruebet Thailand in the South China Sea, 3 April 2001

 
Under a contract signed by Spain and Thailand in July 1992, the aircraft carrier Chakri Naruebet made in El Ferrol shipyard Navantia in Spain and Thailand were assigned to the Navy in March 1997. With a design similar to the Spanish aircraft carrier Principe de Asturias, the aircraft carrier deck equipped with a "ski jump" to 12 degrees to allow similar Harrier fighter aircraft takes off.

The main function of this carrier Thailand is monitoring the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and protection missions, search and rescue, but can also be used as command and control and air support for the fleet of warships.

Design
This aircraft carrier is equipped with six aircraft AV-8S Matador (Harrier) former Spanish that can land and take off in short distances (STOVL). In 1999, only 1 can be operated Matador and Matador fleet in 2006 officially disabled. The ship also features six multi-mission helicopter Sikorsky S-70B Seahawk, which is designed for anti-submarine role.

Flight deck dimensions are 174.6 x 27.5 meters, which resulted in 12-degree ski jump, can accommodate five helicopters were landing and taking off simultaneously, and can accommodate ten medium helicopters or Harrier-sized aircraft. 

 
Its maximum speed is 26 knots, with a cruising speed of 16 knots. Estimated range as far as 10,000 nm at a speed of 12 knots. It has been equipped with two spade rudder (rudder shovel) and four hull stabilizers. 

Aerial view of the HTMS Chakri Naruebet (above) and the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk in the South China Sea, 3 April 2001

 
Command and Control System

Command and control system consists of HTMS Chakri Naruebet the combat information center with seven Inisel console and additional consoles. The combat system is AN/UYK-43C Lowboy with weapon system integration by FABA, Spain.

Armament

This aircraft carrier is designed to be able to use the surface to air missiles Seasparrow. Seasparrow missile uses semi-active radar guidance, has a range of 14 miles and a speed of mach 2.5. 3 launcher has six cells Sadral MBDA for Mistral missiles. Mistral anti-aircraft missiles were short-range missiles capable mengintersep coming. Mistral missile is equipped with a homing head which is supplied by SAGEM and contains 3 kg high explosive warhead loaded with tungsten ball. Range is 4 km.

Censorship 

 
HTMS Chakri Naruebet equipped with AN/SPS-52C Raytheon radar medium-range 3-D, operating in band E / F, and helicopter control radar Kelvin Hughes navigation, navigational radar Kelvin Hughes I-band, satellite navigation system MX 1105 Transit / GPS Omega URN 25 and TACAN systems. Not equipped with surface search radar Raytheon AN/SPS-64 I-band fire control radar and Thales Nederland (fomerly Signaal) STIR I / J / K-band. 

AV-8S Matador (Harrier) in HTMS Chakri Naruebet, near the coast of Thailand, 3 April 2001

 
Mobilization (Propulsion)

Carrier's propulsion system uses a combination of diesel and gas system turbine (CODOG) which consists of two pairs of gas turbines GE LM-2500 is equivalent to 44 250 hp with a power turbine speed of 3,600 rpm and diesel engines MTU 16V1163 TB83-Izar, each with power output of 6,437 hp at 1,200 rpm, which will drive two propellers variable five-blade (blade).

HTMS Chakri Naruebet has been used on several disaster relief operations, including post-earthquake and the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Outside the disaster relief work, the carrier departed from his headquarters during one day each month for training, as well as transport the Thai royal family, which eventually led to the insinuation that it is not a carrier, but a big yacht for the Royal Family.

Sources:
http://www.artileri.org/2013/06/kapal-induk-thailand-htms-chakri-naruebet.html