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(Continued from Page 96) While in port, the public was invited to visit each ship in
order to give civilians a chance to see the Brazilian Navy up close and gain a better
understanding of the Navy's capabilities and mission. In all, almost 8,000 people
visited the various ships.
Once the port visits concluded and the ships were back at sea, the exercises
continued including practice against asymmetric threats, live-fire training, day and
night light cargo transfer, at-sea refueling, shipboard helicopter operations, and
man overboard/Search and Rescue (SAR).
Brazilian naval aviation played a central role during Aspirantex as well. Most of the
air operations were centered around the NDM Bahia with its capacity to
accomodate four helicopters on its two flight decks. Pilots were able to practice
daytime air operations and night operations using night vision goggles (NVG). The
end of Aspirantex brought an announcement from the Brazilian Navy that its only
aircraft carrier, the São Paulo, would be decommissioned. With that
announcement, the NDM Bahia (formerly the French Navy's Siroco) became the
flagship of the Brazilian Navy.
In order to train the operators of the Seawolf SAM missile systems aboard the
frigates, two simulated air strikes were also carried out. The first was carried out
by a Brazilian Air Force AMX A-1A fighter along with a P -95 Bandeirulha maritime
patrol aircraft. The second was executed by Brazilian Navy A-4 Skyhawks.
A significant highlight of Aspirantex 2017 was the first operational launch of a
Mk.46 Mod 5 torpedo, which was launched from a Brazilian Navy Seahawk. The
target was a simulated UK-39 EMATT (Expendable Mobile ASW Training Target)
submarine, previously launched by a support helicopter. The operation was a
complete success, confirming the full operability of the weapon system. In
another first, a Brazilian Navy Seahawk had recently fired a Penguin anti-ship
guided missile against a deactivated corvette. The results were also a success,
with both tests validating the navy's offensive capability against surface and sub
surface threats.
With important lessons learned and invaluable experience gained, after three
weeks of intensive training the exercise concluded on February 2.