Brazilian Aircraft Carrier Restored to Full Capacity

The Brazilian Navy has hired DCNS to carry out a ship check on the forward catapult of its aircraft carrier São Paulo.

DCNS team of engineers conducted the diagnostics and trials for the Brazilian Navy in November at the naval premises of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. After the team’s intervention, the catapult was dry-fired twice, demonstrating the expected performance.

The main function of catapults on aircraft carriers is to launch planes from the deck, enabling the aircraft to attain high speeds in a very short distance.

With a length of 265 metres and a displacement of close to 33,000 tonnes when fully laden, the São Paulo is able to take on board 18 Sky Hawks. Its two steam catapults propulse an aircraft from 0 to 270 km/h in 2 seconds.

The steam catapult on São Paulo had already performed over 5000 launches therefore it was crucial to restore the catapult’s potential.

Formerly known as Foch, the São Paulo aircraft carrier was officially handed over to the Brazilian Navy on 15 November 2000.

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Naval Today Staff, December 23, 2013; Image: DCNS