DANUBIO IV ProjectThe first Maritime Zone Patrol Vessel is now in service
A significant milestone for the Navy was achieved in June this year when the first Maritime Zone Patrol Vessel (known as PZM in Spanish), built at ASMAR’s Talcahuano Shipyard, was commissioned upon successfully completion her acceptance trials.
This is the first of two units to be built under the Danubio IV Project, which will allow Chile to reinforce its control within the waters of its 200 miles Economic Exclusive Zone.
The first PZM, that initiated her sea trials in early April, was named “Piloto Pardo”. The second unit, “Comandante Toro” is currently under construction, also at the ASMAR plant in Talcahuano.
During her trials “Piloto Pardo” demonstrated her excellent manoeuvring, hi-tech support communications capability and the outstanding performance of her automated systems, which all together allow simple, safe and reliable operating and handling. Based on a German design, modified by ASMAR to fulfil the Chilean Navy requirements, the ship has surpassed the original performances in sea keeping and systems.
The main characteristics of these new units are:
• Design: Fassmer GmbH & Co. KG
• Length: 80.6 metres
• Breadth: 13 metres
• Depth deck 1: 6.5 metres
• Design draught: 3.8 metres
• Loaded displacement: 1728 tons
• Speed: 20 knots
• Range: 30 days
• Range at full load: 8000 nautical miles at 12 knots
• Max. complement: 60 heads
MEDUSA ProjectThe “Medusa” Project: new capabilities for scientific and fishery research
The coastal waters and continental shelf of Chile are rich in fishing resources, so the study of them is of vital importance to guarantee sustainable exploitation. The Chilean navy has contributed to this purpose for a long time by supporting ocean research work with its vessel “Vidal Gormaz”. However, this ship has now been active for over 42 years and is close to the end of its service life. Consequently, a new vessel, which will be named as her predecessor, is currently under construction at the ASMAR Naval Shipyard.
The project is a joint initiative between the Navy and the Undersecretary for Fishery, backed up also by the Undersecretary of the Navy. This new construction represents the materialisation of a long-standing desire of Chile’s oceanographic and fishing community, as it will allow enhanced marine studies, greater knowledge of Chilean seas and the gathering of invaluable information for the best management of our natural resources.
The new vessel will have an overall length of 71.3 metres, a breadth of 15.6 metres and a main draught of 5.8 metres. She will be fitted with research equipment and installations capable of carrying out gas hydrate studies, experimental fishing operations, oceanographic studies and other scientific tasks.
She is due to be ready for launch on November 2009, and to be commissioned the following year. Her area of operations will be the southern seas of Chile and, thanks to the advanced systems on board, she will be capable of deploying research teams into Antarctica.
ALCATRAZ Project
To efficiently achieve maritime-air activities such as Maritime Patrol, Search and Rescue, Contamination and Pollution Control, as well as other responsibilities, the Naval Aviation is nowadays in the process of replacing its fixed-wing aircrafts.
The “Alcatraz” Project is intended for the replacement of all P-3 ACH, P-111 and C-212 airplanes, in a number of eleven in all, with eight suitable equipped units capable of performing their role in naval and maritime functions.
After an extensive process of analysis and assessment, it was decided the acquisition of new EADS CASA C-295 planes, manufactured in Spain and equipped with the manufacturer’s Mission Fits System with a useful life of 25 to 30 years.
These aircraft can perform patrol duties and will be equipped with the latest detection and communications technology systems.
The contract with EADS CASA was signed for the acquisition of the first three units and also included an option of a further purchase for five other planes.
The aircrafts will be received by the Navy in 2009.
These new aircraft will carry out tasks for the Fleet such as for maritime patrol and antisubmarine warfare. Also, the new C-295 will perform military and logistic cargo tasks and will have medical evacuation capabilities, for supporting disaster relief operations.
Multi-Purpose Aircraft
• Troop transport : 71 soldiers
• Cargo transport : Five 88” x 108” pallets\ (one on the ramp), or three fighter engines
• Medical evacuation : 24 stretchers and 5/7 medical attendants
• Length of cargo cabin : 12.69 m (41ft 8 in)
• Width of cargo cabin : 2.70 m (8 ft 10 in)
• Max. take-off weight : 23,200 kg ( 51,150 lb)
• Total length : 24.50 m (80 ft 4 in)
• Max. speed : 480 km/h (260 kts)
• Engines : 2 x Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127G
