BNS Constituicao (F42)

History

The BNS Constituicao (F42) is a combat frigate of the modern Brazilian Navy, seven Niteroi-class frigates (including F40, F41, F42 and F43 units) built by Vosper Thornycroft in England and part of the Brazilian Marinha Arsenal from Rio de Janeiro ( Including units F44, F45, U27). The BNS constitution was drawn up on March 13, 1974, and the warship was launched on April 15, 1976.

The ship was officially commissioned on March 31, 1978 and is now (2018) in service with the Brazilian fleet.

Marking her home port as Rio de Janeiro, the USS Constitution completed as a multi-role frigate, enabling her to serve various roles in the Brazilian Navy. When she joined the Brazilian inventory, she became the fourth ship of foreign ancestry to be adopted.

After the completion of BNS Constituicao, the standard load is 3200 tons and the full load is 3800 tons. Dimensions include an overall length of 424 feet, a beam of 44 feet and a draft of 18 feet.

Her propulsion scheme is a combined diesel or gas unit (CODOG), with 2 Rolls-Royce Olympus gas turbines producing 56,000 hp for sprint maneuvers and 4 MTU marine diesels producing 18,000 hp for general cruising maneuvers. Under ideal conditions, the maximum speed is 30 knots.

The range is up to 5,300 nautical miles at an economical speed of 17 knots.

There are approximately 215 crew members on board, including seamen and officers. In the store, the boat can stay at sea for up to 45 days before it needs to be refilled. The ship can support up to 1 Westland Super Lynx Mk. 21A or similar medium Navy helicopter.

A helipad is available for this operation, as well as a full-service hangar area.

Compared to modern frigate designs, this warship has a shorter foredeck and the main guns and turrets are in the "A" position. At the rear is a mortar launcher, which is located in the raised part of the superstructure of the hull.

Behind it is the extremely important bridge section, and behind this area is the main mast with various radars, sensors and communication systems. The sides of the deck are elegantly sculpted as part of the existing hull sides, creating the appearance of a slab side. A buckling can be seen along the forward side of the hull, which extends approximately midship.

A secondary pyramidal enclosed mast is located aft of the main mast, and behind this structure is a shallow chimney near midship - the chimney features a black cap and a sloping shape. The helipad is located behind the funnel and leads to the aft deck.

Surface-to-air missile (SAM) launchers are mounted on the rear deck.

The ship's armament consists of a 114mm turret Vickers Mk 8 series main deck gun mounted in the "A" position, supported by a twin-barreled 375mm Bofors mortar unit immediately aft, Use as a submarine against 2 dual launchers for French-made MM. 40 Exocet anti-ship missiles 2 Albatros eight launchers to manage SAM functions 2 x 40 mm BAe Systems Bofors "Sea Trinity" Mk. 3 single gun turrets for Air Defense (AA) purpose. 2 x 324mm triple torpedo tubes support Mk.

46 torpedo weapons. In addition, 2 x Plessey Shield chaff launchers and 4 x IPQM/Elebra MDLS octave launcher units.

The warship is equipped with AESN RAN 20S(3L) air/surface search radar, Terma Scanter MIP for surface search and FURUNO FR-1942 Mk 2 for navigation. 2 x AESN RTN 30X Unit Command Fire Control Kit. The EDO 997F is a hull mounted sonar. The Racal Cutlass B-1B series kit constitutes an electronic warfare (EW) unit.

A full electronic countermeasures (ECM) kit is also carried.

In an often delayed project from 1996 to 2005, Constituicao joined her sisters in the modernization process. In June 2009, the ship was called to assist in the search for the missing Air France Flight 447 and to help transport the rescued students and crew of the tall SV Concordia.

Specification

Basic

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Dimensions

Weight

Performance

Performance

Armor

Wing