Jul
Acting Defense Minister witnessed the exercises
The frigate 'Cristobal Colon' (F-105), the most modern of the five frigates of the Spanish Navy, equipped with Aegis Combat System, sailed from Ferrol on June 12. Following an intense period of several weeks of preparation, both at sea and in Naval Station Norfolk, and in order to endorse the operational capability of its combat system, this frigate has successfully performed missile launches during the development of three anti-missile defense exercises.
Combat System Ship Qualification Trials (CSSQT) were conducted to evaluate the ship's Combat System readiness in the areas of command and control, anti-air warfare, anti-missile defense, as well as to test that the services, equipment and systems could perform the operational role for which they have been designed and installed.
In the last CSSQT, a Standard Missile (SM-2) and an Evolved Sea Sparrow (ESSM) were launched in three different exercises. The main capability of these missiles is their ability to beat cutting edge, complex targets. The missile launch was conducted in the presence of the acting Defense Minister, Pedro Morenés Eulate, and the Chief of Staff of the Navy, Admiral General Jaime Muñoz Delgado and Diaz del Rio.
The tests took place on July 19 at Wallops Flight Facility, off the coast of Virginia, and by the American destroyer USS Arleigh Burke '(DDG-51), the first of its kind. Some of these vessels are currently based in Rota (Cadiz) as part of NATO anti-missile shield.
The operational certification of the 'Cristobal Colon' frigate is a milestone not only for the Armada, but also for the completely Spanish naval industry. In addition to being the most modern frigate within the F-100 class, this frigate counts with the higher percentage of national companies’ participation in its design and construction.
