The
São Paulo began life as the French aircraft carrier
Foch. It served for 37 years until it was replaced by the nuclear-powered carrier
Charles de Gaulle. Brazil bought the vessel from the French government in 2000. More than 860 feet long and displacing 32,000 tons fully loaded, the carrier was capable of carrying up to 39 fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. Here's a video of the ship operating in 2002:
Once in Brazilian hands,
São Paulo underwent a refurbishment program that included repairs to propulsion, electricity generation, and flight operations equipment. The Brazilian Navy also purchased a fleet of obsolete
A-4 Skyhawk jets from Kuwait, and used even more obsolete aircraft on board including the
S-2 Tracker and
C-1 Trader. There are American designs originally flown from U.S. Navy carriers but retired decades ago. Brazil's Navy also purchased and planned to refurbish six S-70B Seahawk helicopters.
https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/navy-ships/a25260/brazil-retiring-only-aircraft-carrier/
São Paulo was a
Clemenceau-class aircraft carrier in service with the
Brazilian Navy.
São Paulo was first commissioned in 1963 by the
French Navy as
Foch and was transferred in 2000 to
Brazil, where she became the new
flagship of the
Brazilian Navy.
IHS Jane's reported that during its career with the Brazilian Navy,
São Paulo suffered from serviceability issues and never managed to operate for more than three months at a time without the need for repairs and maintenance.
[3] On 14 February 2017, the navy announced the ship's demobilisation and subsequent decommissioning.
[1]
Upgrade (2005–2010) and sea trials
View of the forward flight deck of the Brazilian aircraft carrier
São Paulo in 2003. Four McDonnell Douglas AF-1 (A-4) Skyhawk fighters and an Argentine Navy Grumman S-2T Tracker are visible.
São Paulo at sea, December 2013.
*
During 2005–10,
São Paulo underwent extensive modernization.
[11] The upgrade included inspection and repair of the
steam turbines; maintenance of the
surface condensers; retubing of
boilers; repair of two high-pressure
compressors; revision of the
AC electrical generator; purchase of spare parts; maintenance of pumps, valves, and structural items; addition of two
API oil-water separators; installation of two
water cooling units; upgrade of the
chemical oxygen generator; repair and treatment of oil tanks; substitution of the
Naval Tactical Data System; installation of a
closed-circuit television system; installation of an
IFF transponder; installation of a MAGE system (
ESM); flight deck inspection, repair, and painting; upgrade of the
Optical Landing System processing unit; and revision of the
aircraft catapults.
[14] The upgrade was completed in July 2009, and the
São Paulo was initially due to be fully operational by August 2010.
[15]
Twelve Brazilian Navy A-4 Skyhawks were also scheduled to be upgraded by
Embraer at a cost of $140 million.
[16] The upgrade was similar to the ones done for the
AMX and
F-5EM aircraft of the
Brazilian Air Force. The program included restoring the aircraft and their current systems, as well as implementing new avionics, radar (specifically the
Elta 2032 radar system), power production, and autonomous oxygen generating systems. Possible weapons to be included in the upgrade were
MAA-1B,
Python 4, and
Derby AAMS.
The Brazilian Navy contracted
Marsh Aviation to convert four
S-2T Turbo Trackers to an
airborne early warning (AEW) configuration, and four more for tanking and Carrier Onboard Delivery duties.
[17]
According to an article in the October 2010 issue of Air Forces Monthly,[
citation needed] it has been confirmed that Brazil has purchased ex-Australian and ex-Uruguayan
C-1 Trader airframes, for conversion into AEW planes and Tanker aircraft. All of the planes were to be upgraded to S-2T Turbo Tracker configuration with Honeywell TPE 331-14GR engines. The purchase included nine airframes, of which two were for tanker conversion to refuel the AF-1 Skyhawks, and three were for AEW. The rest were purchased as for spares or for cargo duties. The AEW radar requirement was to have a range of 250 miles at 25,000 feet. Operational lifespan for the airframes was to be 10 years. They were expected to be ready in 2011 and 2012.
[18]
São Paulo's
SH-3 helicopter fleet was to be replaced by six
S-70B Seahawk helicopters. They were purchased in 2008, upgraded, and refurbished for delivery. The helicopters and a package of engines and support equipment were scheduled for delivery in 2009.
[19]
At the end of 2010, sea trials began, and as of 2011
São Paulo had been evaluated by the CIASA (Inspection Commission and Training Advisory).
São Paulo was expected to rejoin the fleet in late 2013, but suffered another major fire in 2012.
[20] As of September 2016, she continued to undergo repairs; the commander of the Brazilian Navy, Admiral Eduardo Leal Ferreira, said plans were in place to renew the carrier's propulsion system. The ship's catapult was also reported to have problems.
[21] On 14 February 2017, the Navy announced the ship would be demobilised and subsequently decommissioned, citing the uneconomical cost of further repairs.
[1][22]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazilian_aircraft_carrier_São_Paulo_(A12)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazilian_aircraft_carrier_São_Paulo_(A12)
