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ARA Hercules (D1) / (B52)

1976 COLD WAR MODERN NAVY

History

Before the Falklands War with Great Britain (1982), Argentina maintained relations with European powers to the point that it was able to procure two "Type 42" destroyer battleships. These were named ARA Hercules (D1) and ARA Santisima Trinidad (D2). Both were ordered 18 May 1970 and received 16 June 1971 and 11 October 1971 respectively. ARA Hercules (built by Vickers Shipbuilding Ltd of Barrow-in-Furness) was launched on 24 October 1972 and commissioned on 10 May 1976.

She officially entered service on July 12, 1976. On July 1, 1981, Santisima followed. Hercules was assigned to the Belgrano Naval Base.

The ARA Hercules were completed to the original Type 42 standard that made up the bulk of the Royal Navy's Type 42 fleet (some with extended hulls). After a period of service, her offensive capabilities were expanded with the installation of French-made MM-38 Flying Fish anti-ship missiles, which forced her to overhaul some structures near the smoke funnel. She retained her 4.5" deck gun and turret, a double-barreled sea dart unit, 2 x 20mm anti-aircraft guns and 6 x 12.75" (324mm) torpedo tubes. She also has onboard facilities for a Westland Lynx (or similar) Navy helicopter. Power comes from a COGAG (Combined Gas and Gas) unit with 2 x axles driven by 2 x TM-3B and 2 x RM-1A gas turbines.

She probably wants to go 28 knots under ideal conditions. Their crew number is 280.

During the 1982 conflict with the United Kingdom, ARA Hercules joined the ARA Santisima Trinidad to escort the aircraft carrier ARA Veinticinco de Mayo (detailed elsewhere on this site), but her mechanical failure limited her participation. With little to do except pursue and repel the British Sea Harriers, Argentina lost the war and control of the Falklands forever.

In the post-war period, especially in 2000, the ARA Hercules was taken to neighboring Chile, where an extensive program was implemented to convert the ship into a multipurpose transport vessel. This includes increasing her hangar space and her rear flight deck, as well as removing some of her original weapons.

The warship has reserves and space for 238 combat-ready troops and a crew of 166, and can now operate 2 Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King (or similar) naval helicopters (these helicopters are also equipped with anti-ships for overseas strikes) missiles) .- Horizon work).

As of 2016, ARA Hercules - now flag number "B-52" - remains active in the Argentine fleet??. In 1999, she was assigned to the Amphibious Force. Her sister was abandoned in 1989.