Brazilian frigate Constituição (F-42)

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F 42 - Constutuição (7203248692).jpg
F Constituição
History
Brazilian Naval EnsignBrazil
NameConstituição
NamesakeConstitution of Brazil
OperatorBrazilian Navy
BuilderVosper Thornycroft
Launched15 April 1976
Christened13 March 1974
Commissioned31 March 1978
HomeportRio de Janeiro
Identification
StatusActive
General characteristics
Class and typeNiteroi-class frigate
Displacement3,200 tons standard, 3,800 tons full load
Length129.2 m (424 ft)
Beam13.5 m (44 ft)
Draught5.5 m (18 ft)
Propulsion
Speed30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph) (22 knots diesels only)
Range
  • 5,300 NM - at 17 knots
  • 4,200 NM - at 19 knots
  • 1,300 NM - at 28 knots
Endurance45 days
Crew209
Armament
  • Missile antiship MM-40 Exocet;
  • Anti-aircraft missile ASPIDE;
  • 1 Vickers gun 4.5 inch Mk 8 (114 mm), (22 km range);
  • 2 BAE Systems Bofors Trinity Mk 3 anti-Aircraft single-gun turrets;
  • 2 × 3 torpedo tubes for Mk-46 torpedoes;
  • double-barrel Bofors Boroc anti-submarine rocket launcher
Aircraft carried1 Westland Super Lynx Mk.21A (locally designated as AH-11A) or 1 Eurocopter AS-350/355 Squirrel (locally assembled by Helibrás as UH-12/UH-13 'Esquilo')
Aviation facilitiesHelipad and hangar

The F Constituição (F42) is a Niterói-class frigate of the Brazilian Navy. The Constituição was the fourth Niterói-class frigate ordered by the Brazilian Navy, on 20 September 1970. The Constituição was launched on 15 April 1976, and was commissioned on 31 March 1978.[1]

History[]

In June 2009, the F Constituição (F42) participated in the recovery mission for the wreckage of Air France Flight 447.[2]

On 20 February 2010, the Constituição brought twelve students, faculty, and crew of the SV Concordia ashore after they were initially rescued by merchant vessels. The Concordia, a tall ship floating classroom operated by the West Island College International's Class Afloat program, was abandoned approximately 300 nautical miles (560 km) south east of Rio de Janeiro with all 64 people aboard making it to life rafts. The remaining 52 students, faculty, and crew were to be transferred from merchant vessels to the Constituição and another Brazilian frigate, but weather and other concerns prevented that.

Gallery[]

  • F Constituição Gallery

  • The tail fin of the Airbus A330 that crashed as Air France Flight 447 is being loaded onto the frigate

  • Constituicao taking part in a parade of ships just off the coast of Jacksonville while participating in Exercise UNITAS Gold.

References[]

  1. ^ F Constituição - F 42 Archived June 12, 2009, at the Wayback Machine Navios de Guerra Brasileiros. Retrieved on June 0, 2009.
  2. ^ "Bodies of two Air France passengers found." CNN. Saturday June 6, 2009. Retrieved on November 23, 2009.
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