A140 - “Atlântico” Multi-Purpose Aerodrome Ship
Multi-Purpose Helicopter Carrier

The Navy commander, squadron admiral Ilques Barbosa Junior, through Ordinance No. 328 / MB of November 12, 2020, decides to change the name of the Atlantico Multi-Purpose Helicopter Carrier (“Atlântico” PHM Porta-Helicópteros Multipropósito) to Atlantico Multi-Purpose Aerodrome Ship ( “Atlantic” NAM Navio-Aeródromo Multipropósito ). Such change in the type of ship is due to the fact that the ship has the capacity to operate in its deck with remotely piloted aircraft as well as with turboprop aircraft of vertical landing.

A helicopter carrier is a type of aircraft carrier whose primary purpose is to operate helicopters. A helicopter carrier has a large flight deck that occupies a large part of the ship, which can extend the full length of the ship like HMS Ocean of the Royal Navy, Pure helicopter carriers are difficult to define in the 21st century. The advent of STOVL aircraft such as the Harrier Jump Jet, and now the F-35, have complicated the classification; the United States Navy's Wasp-class, for instance, carries six to eight Harriers as well as over 20 helicopters. Only smaller carriers unable to operate the Harrier and older pre-Harrier-era carriers can be regarded as true helicopter carriers. In many cases, other carriers, able to operate STOVL aircraft, are classified as "light aircraft carriers". In compliance with the provisions of Ordinance No. 190, of June 27, 2018, of the Navy Commander, and in accordance with the provisions of the General Ordinance for the Service of the Navy, it takes place, on the present date, at Her Majesty's Naval Base, in Devonport, in the city of Plymouth - UK, the Armament Show of the Multi-Purpose Helicopter Carrier (PHM) “Atlântico”.

The Armament Exhibition, a ceremony full of naval traditions, indicates the beginning of the PHM Atlântico's singaporte, in the Brazilian Navy. The relevant and interesting data on board life are recorded in the “Book of the Ship” and, from the ceremony of raising the flag of Brazil, the future flagship of the Squadron will be ready to fully represent the National Sovereignty.

The soul of the ship, initiated by excellent British sailors, is constituted by the interaction of Brazilian sailors, with the immense oceanic spaces of Cruzeiro do Sul and where are the pillars of survival and prosperity of our homeland. PHM “Atlântico”, HMS “Ocean”, in the British Royal Navy, was built in the mid-90s by Kvaerner Govan and VSEL in Barrow-in-Furness. Commissioned in September 1998, it operated from the Devonport Naval Base in Plymouth.

His service history includes naval operations in support of humanitarian actions in Kosovo and Central America. In 2000, he participated in Operation Palliser, in Sierra Leone. Soon after, he operated in the Middle East, in the combat group of HMS Illustrious in the Iraq War. In 2009, he was relocated to Asia, again in naval operations and support for humanitarian actions. In 2011, he participated in Operation Unified Protector, in Libya. In the following year, he returned to England for reforms and later participated in naval operations, within the scope of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. In 2017, he participated in Operation Ruman, through naval operations in support of humanitarian actions in the Caribbean islands, affected by Hurricane Irma.

The name Atlântico refers to the saga of Grandes Navegações, which provided, among other notable achievements of the Sagres School, the discovery of Brazil. Additionally, it attests to the relevance of this oceanic space in shaping the Brazilian nation, in all periods of its history.

In the colonial era, as a scenario of naval combat, where the victorious Portuguese standard allowed the maintenance of the integrity of a continental territory. At that time, the Combat de Guaxenduba, in 1614, the naval combat of Abrolhos, in 1631, and the Naval Action of the Bay of Todos os Santos, in 1635; besides, countless combats to the corsairs.

During the Empire, being the space where Brazilian naval forces, acting in the north and south, from Oiapoque to Chuí, constituted a decisive factor in the consolidation of Brazil's independence and current limits; as well as allowing access to the hydrographic basins, which contributed to the establishment of the borders to the west, southwest and northwest. In the War of Independence, the birth and baptism of fire of the Brazilian Squadron takes place.

In the Republic, as a Theater of Operations of the 1st World War, with naval operations conducted between Gibraltar, west coast of Africa and Brazil, through the Naval Division of War Operations - DNOG. In the 2nd World War, during the Battle of the Atlantic, it was up to the MB, even before Brazil's declaration of war, to contribute to the Allied war effort, by means of patrols in the South Atlantic protecting the convoys of merchant ships, between the Sea of Caribbean and the southern coast of Brazil; as well as, in search and rescue, in support of allied pilots, who operated in North Africa.

At present, the Atlantic Ocean remains a preponderant for national security and development; through its maritime communication lines, expanding the fulfillment of the just desires of Brazilian society; and points to a future where it will be even more vital for Brazil.

Thus, Brazil must emphasize its continued political, strategic and economic importance, where 95% of Brazilian foreign trade travels, 91% of oil and 73% of natural gas produced by Brazil are extracted and submarine cables are located, the means of transmission of most data, essential for communications.

The Atlantic Ocean, in addition to being rich in biodiversity, contributes significantly to climate regulation, nutrient processing through natural cycles, and includes a wide range of services, mineral and food reserves, which benefit a large portion of our population. We have also seen a high dynamic in the application of technology, the consolidation and appearance of oceanopolitical concepts and a wide range of opportunities for the use of natural resources in the marine environment.