ARM Baja California

Summary

ARM Baja California (PO-162) is a Oaxaca-class patrol vessel, constructed by and for the Mexican Navy.

ARM Baja California
History
Mexico
NameBaja California
NamesakeBaja California
BuilderTampico Naval Shipyard and Salina Cruz Naval Ship Yard
Commissioned1 April 2003
Statusin active service
General characteristics
Class and typeOaxaca-class patrol vessel
Displacement1,850 short tons (1,678 t)
Length282 ft 2 in (86.00 m)
Beam34 ft 4 in (10.46 m)
Draft11 ft 8 in (3.56 m)
Propulsion2 × Caterpillar 3916 V16 Diesels, 2 props
Speed20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph)
Troops39 marines or special forces commandos
Complement77 sailors
Sensors and
processing systems
  • 2 × Terma Scanter 2001 Navigation/surface search radars
  • Selex NA-25 radar and optronic fire control system
Armament
Aircraft carried1 × Panther or Fennec helicopter
Aviation facilities1 helicopter hangar and helipad

Design and description edit

It has a length of 282.2 feet (86.0 m), a draft of 11.8 feet (3.6 m), a beam of 34.4 feet (10.5 m), and displaces 1,850 short tons (1,678.3 t).[1]

Primary armament is a single OTO Melara 76 mm naval gun, with a pair of OTO Melara 12.7 mm remote controlled naval turret Mod. 517 with M2 12.7mm machine guns on each side, and an Oto Melara single 30/SAFS 30 mm cannon aft.

A helipad on the afterdeck has handling capabilities for a variety of helicopters, such as the Panther, Fennec, or the Bolkow Bo 105 Super-5.

The ship has a cruising speed of 20 knots (37 km/h), carries a complement of 77, and has provisions to carry a group of 39 special forces and/or marines for a variety of missions.

References edit

  1. ^ "Botadura de un nuevo buque para la armada de México". Boletines (in Spanish). Secretaria de Marina, Armada de México. April 11, 2003. Archived from the original on 2007-10-08. Retrieved 2007-11-17.

External links edit

  • Photograph of the Baja California
  • Photograph of the Baja California