WorldWideAircraftCarriers.com - Juan Carlos I
SPECIFICATIONS PHOTOGRAPHS (Click on the pictures for an enlarged photo)

Designation: LHD
Length: 755 ft
Width: 107 ft
Beam: 97 ft
Displacement: 27,000 tons
Propulsion: 2 gas turbines,
2 Electrical PODS
Speed: 24 knots
Crew: 1,450
Airwing: 30 VSTOL, rotary
Armament:
- 1 X ESSM or RAM Missile System
- 4 X 20mm Oerlikon CIWS
Elevators: 2
Ships in class: 1
Juan Carlos I
The new Spanish Strategic Projection carrier, the L61, Juan Carlos I, started construction in May 2005 and was launched on March 10, 2008. She will be commissioned in 2009. The vessel is meant to be a multi-role vessel suited for either the Sea Control role with VSTOL aircraft, or the Amphibious Assault role with helicopters, air cushion craft, landing craft and supporting VSTOL attack aircraft.

In the Sea Control role the vessel will be able to carry up to thirty aircraft, though the normal airwing would consist of 22. In the Amphibious assault role, the vessel will be able to land up to 900 troops and all of their equipment through air and/or sea assault, carrrying a mixed airwing of 22 helicopters and VSTOL aircraft.

The vessel is intended to be complimentary to the current Principe de Asturia carrier and not replace it.

The revolutionary propulsion system for the vessel (similar to the French Navy's Mistral Class of LPH) requires no shafts, instead using electrically driven POD devices for both props, thereby also eliminating conventional rudder systems, the PODs acting in that role as well.

Combined with the Principe de Asturias carrier and the F100 AEGIS frigates the Spanish have built to protect them, the Spanish Navy will, with this larger carrier have developed into a significant regional force capable of projecting Spanish interests and protecting sea lanes around the world.











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Page Last Updated: 2-JULY-2012
Jeff Head is an engineering consultant with many years experience in the power, defense, and computer industries. He currently works for the federal government helping maintain and protect regional infrastructure. He is a member of the U.S. Naval Institute, and is also the author of a self-published and best-selling series of military techno-thrillers called the Dragon's Fury that projects a fictional third world war arising out of current events. You can learn more about that series by clicking on the pictures of the novel covers below:


THE DRAGON'S FURY SERIES

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