laststandonzombieisland

CVV SPS “Príncipe de Asturias” is now retired this month. Ordered 29 May 1977, she was built on Admiral Zumwalt’s Sea Control ship concept of a small light carrier that could escort convoys and were expendable. Kind of the same concept as the WWII CVL and CVE types. In  a pinch, such as ship could also handle assault tasks as an LPH, render humanitarian aide, become a hospital ship, or act as a task force flag. She was 643-feet long and weighed 16,700 at full load.  Powered by the same power plant as the US FFG7 class (two LM2500 turbines) she could make 26-knots and cruise over 6500nm at 20. Capable of carrying up to 29 Harriers and helicopters, she was the backbone of the Spanish Navy during the worse years of the Cold War and into the awkward peace that followed.

Now she is laid up pending the torch, a victim of tight budgets.

Rest well Príncipe de Asturias, your mission is over.