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The U. S. Coast Guard high-endurance cutter Hamilton (WHEC-715), the first °f the class of 12 Hamiltons to complete modernization, was redelivered in November 1988. A 76-mm. gun forward replaces the venerable 5-inch/38-caliber gun, and the AN/SPS-40B radar taft antenna) replaces the SPS-29D.
Combat Fleets
By A. D. Baker III, Editor, Combat Fleets of the World
The South African Navy recently received four Umximkulu-class 380-ton minehunters from Sandock Austral, Durban. Showing a strong West German design influence, the 48-meter, wooden-hulled craft are equipped with French PAP- 104 remote-controlled minehunting submersibles and have facilities for mine- disposal divers.
The Royal Navy’s much- delayed aircraft support ship Argus, which began conversion from an Italian- built vehicle cargo ship in March 1984, was “completed” in March 1988, but still had not achieved operational status a year later. The 25,581-ton Argus will support six Sea King helicopters as a peacetime training ship and can ferry 12 Sea Harrier fighters to carriers during wartime.
The 372-foot flightdeck is laid over six feet of concrete ballast.
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