Juan Carlos I (L61)

"Juan Carlos I" (L61) — a strategic projection vessel ("Buque de Proyección Estratégica" (BPE)), — is a planned multipurpose warship for the Spanish Navy ("Armada Española"), similar to American LHDs of the "Wasp" class. The concept was approved in September 2003 and Navantia (formerly part of the Izar shipyards in Ferrol) began construction of the 231-metre 27,000-ton V/STOL aircraft carrier and amphibious assault ship in 2005. The vessel was launched 10 March 2008.cite web |url= http://www.lavozdegalicia.es/dinero/2007/10/29/00031193671551553574845.htm |title=Alonso elude concretar si el Gobierno contratará una sexta fragata F-100 para Navantia |accessdate=2007-12-27 |author= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=2007-10-28 |publisher= lavozdegalicia.es |language= Spanish ] , and she will be commissioned in 2011. The vessel is named in honour of Juan Carlos I, the current King of Spain.

The construction is in a historical frame characterized by the increasing budgets and the gradual assumption of international responsibilities on the part of Spain. The new vessel is to play an important role in the Fleet. A platform that not only supports the mobility of the Marines (probably it will replace the "cornudas", L-41 "Hernán Cortés" and L-42 "Pizarro" ("Newport"-class LSTs), but that will possibly act as a platform for carrier-based aviation, and the strategic transport of ground forces as required.

The capacity of the ship will be of around 900 naval personnel, with equipment and support elements for 1,200 soldiers. Multi-functional garage and hangar space on two levels of 6,000 m², with capacity for 6,000 tonnes load each. A stern dock being able to lodge up to four LCM-1e boats or one LCAC.

If used as an aircraft carrier the vessel will have a flight deck of 202 metres with 'ski-jump', and eight points for Harrier, JSF or medium helicopters, or four points for heavy helicopters of the CH-47 Chinook type, and one point for V-22 Osprey. [cite web |url= http://www.armada.mde.es/ArmadaPortal/page/Portal/ArmadaEspannola/conocenos_modernizacion/prefLang_en/02_jc_i--04_perfil_mision_es|title=LHD Juan Carlos I (Mission profile)|accessdate=2008-10-10 |author=|authorlink= |coauthors= |date=2007-10-28 |publisher= spanish ministry of defese (armada)|language= Spanish /English and Frenh ] She can carry up to 30 aircarft (10 CH-47) [cite web |url= http://www.armada.mde.es/ArmadaPortal/page/Portal/ArmadaEspannola/conocenos_modernizacion/prefLang_en/02_jc_i--04_perfil_mision_es|title=LHD Juan Carlos I (Mission profile)|accessdate=2008-10-10 |author=|authorlink= |coauthors= |date=2007-10-28 |publisher= spanish ministry of defese (armada)|language= Spanish /English and Frenh ] in the aircraft carrier mode, using the light vehicles bay as storage zone. [cite web |url= http://www.armada.mde.es/ArmadaPortal/page/Portal/ArmadaEspannola/conocenos_modernizacion/prefLang_en/02_jc_i--04_perfil_mision_es|title=LHD Juan Carlos I (Mission profile)|accessdate=2008-10-10 |author=|authorlink= |coauthors= |date=2007-10-28 |publisher= spanish ministry of defese (armada)|language= Spanish /English and Frenh ]

For the first time in the Spanish Navy, the ship will use diesel-electrical propulsion, simultaneously connecting both diesels and the new technology gas turbine to a pair of azimuthal pods.

Construction started in May 2005 simultaneously in Ferrol (with the cut of the first plate corresponding to Block 320) and in Fene (with the cut of the first plate corresponding to Block 330). The ship, that supposes a service load of 3,100,000 hours of production and 775,000 hours of engineering, was launched in March 2008 and is planned to be commissioned in December 2011.

Following a lengthy design contest that pitted the design against the similar but smaller French "Mistral" class of ships, the Prime Minister of Australia announced on Wednesday 20 June 2007, that Australia would purchase and build two ships of the same design (to become the "Canberra"-class Landing Helicopter Docks). Work for these two ships is expected to be performed in Australia by BAE Systems Australia with the balance in Spain and other countries.

References

ee also

*"Canberra"-class large amphibious ship
*Amphibious assault ship

External links

* [http://www.armada.mde.es/ArmadaPortal/page/Portal/ArmadaEspannola/conocenos_modernizacion/02_jc_i Official Web-site of the Spanish Navy (in Spanish) with information about the "Buque de Proyección Estratégica" ]
*cite web
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title= "Juan Carlos I" under construction
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* [http://www.revistanaval.com/album/4-2008-03-11-l61-juan-carlos-i-bpe-navantia-ferrol/1 41 photographs Juan Carlos I (L61) launch in Revista Naval (Spanish)]