Azteca-class patrol vessel

Summary

The Azteca-class patrol vessel are a class of patrol vessels in service with the Mexican Navy. They were designed and built by the British companies T.T. Boat Designs Ltd; Ailsa Shipbuilding Co. Ltd., Scott & Sons, Bowling; Lamont & Co. Ltd. and Vera Cruz and Salina Cruz Shipyards for the Mexican Navy from 1976 to 1980. They are multi-role patrol craft with good nautical characteristics. Original units were powered by Paxman diesels of either 3,600 hp (2,700 kW) or 4,800 hp (3,600 kW). Original units were named with pre-Hispanic tribal names.

ARM Tamaulipas (PC-223)
Class overview
NameAzteca class
BuildersAilsa Shipbuilding Co. Ltd., Scott & Sons, Bowling; Lamont & Co. Ltd. and Mexican Navy Shipyards
Operators Mexican Navy
Built31
In service20
Active20
Retired10
General characteristics
TypeCoastal patrol ship
Displacement148 long tons (150 t) (full load)
Length
  • 111 ft 10 in (34.09 m) oa
  • 101 ft 4 in (30.89 m) pp
Beam28 ft 3 in (8.61 m)
Draught6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Propulsion2 shafts, 2 Ruston Paxman Ventura diesels, 3,600 bhp (2,700 kW)
Speed24 knots (44 km/h; 28 mph) (maximum)
Range2,400 nmi (4,400 km; 2,800 mi) at 12 kn (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Complement24
Sensors and
processing systems
Surface search radar Kelvin Hughes.
Armament

Design and description edit

The Azteca-class patrol vessels displace 148 long tons (150 t) at full load and are 111 feet 10 inches (34.1 m) long overall and 101 feet 4 inches (30.9 m) between perpendiculars. They have a beam of 28 feet 3 inches (8.6 m) and a draught of 6 feet 6 inches (2.0 m). The ships are propelled by two shafts driven by two Ruston Paxman Ventura diesels creating 3,600 brake horsepower (2,700 kW). This gives the vessels a maximum speed of 24 knots (44 km/h; 28 mph) and a range of 2,400 nautical miles (4,400 km; 2,800 mi) at 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph). The ships are armed with one Bofors 40 mm gun, one 20 mm Oerlikon GAM-B01 cannon and two machine guns. The Azteca class has a complement of 24.[1][2]

Ships edit

Azteca class
Ship name Hull no. Builder In service Status
Cordova PC 202 1974
Rayón PC 206 1975
Rejón PC 207 1975
De la Fuente PC 208 1975
Guzmán PC 209 1975
Ramírez PC 210 1975
Mariscal PC 211 1975
Jara PC 212 1975
Colima PC 214 1975
Lizardi PC 215 1975
Mugica PC 216 1976
Velazco PC 218 1976
Macías PC 220 1976
Tamaulipas PC 223 1977
Yucatán PC 224 1977
Tabasco PC 225 1978
Cochimie PC 226 1978
Puebla PC 228 1982
Vicario PC 230 1977
Ortíz PC 231 1977

References edit

Citations edit

  1. ^ Gardiner and Chumbley, p. 264
  2. ^ Saunders 2002, p. 464

Sources edit

  • Faulkner, Keith (1999). Hutchinson, Robert (ed.). Jane's Warship Recognition Guide (2nd ed.). London: HarperCollins. ISBN 9780004722115.
  • Gardiner, Robert; Chumbley, Stephen; Budzbon, Przemysław, eds. (1995). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1947–1995. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-55750-132-7.
  • Saunders, Stephen, ed. (2002). Jane's Fighting Ships 2002–2003. Coulsdon, UK: Jane's Information Group. ISBN 0-7106-2432-8.