The Grupo Aeronaval Embarcado (on-board air wing)
Naval Aviation Badge Heavy Helicopters
This is the backbone of Argentina´s naval aviation. It is comprised by the Second Fighter/Attack Squadron (EA32), the Anti-Submarine Squadron (EA2S), and elements of the First and Second Helicopter Squadrons (EA1H, EA2H). EA32: AMD/BA Super Etendard The EA32 won its share of fame during the South Atlantic Conflict. It was responsible for the sinking of HMS Sheffield and SS Atlantic Conveyor. The main weapon of these fighters is the AM-39 Exocet ASM. Their primary tactic is to fly low (below enemy´s radar, about 20 ft. over water) and launch the missiles before being detected. It also uses Matra 550 Magic Missiles (IR AAM), MK 82 Snakeye Bombs and rockets. Capable of in-flight Refuelling, the squadron is trained to acomplish such tasks either in a "buddy-buddy" manner, or with the help of Air Force KC-130s. They also practiced this task with KA-6 and S-3 from the US Navy. Primarily trained for carrierborne operations, the scrapping of ARA 25 de Mayo (Argentina´s latest Aircraft Carrier) has forced them to qualify on Brazilian and US carriers. But they still have that capability.
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EA2S: S-2T Turbo Tracker EA2S Its planes are an upgraded version of the S-2G Tracker, known as the S-2T. Its primary missions are anti-sub. warfare and surface reconaissance (as a "guide" for EA32 attacks). The "new" aircrafts feature Garret Turbo Props, and Elisra Electronics. Primarily trained for carrierborne operations, the scrapping of ARA 25 de Mayo (Argentina´s latest Aircraft Carrier) has forced them to qualify on Brazilian and US carriers. But they still have that capability.
EA1H: Its Alouettes are used for general purposes and attack (wire-guided missiles, 20 mm. cannons). The Fennecs (recently acquired) are used for liason, general purposes and surface search. They are routinely deployed on board of Destroyers and Frigates (the latter called "corvettes" (corbetas) in the Armada Argentina). The squadron paricipated in the Desert Shield Operation with an AI03 for liason and observation purposes ( embarked in A.R.A. Almirante Brown (D-10), Meko 360-H2 Destroyer
Back to the beginning of this pageEA2H: The Sea Kings of EA2H have an impressive record. In 27 years, the only two losses were due to a ship-wreck (polar transport ARA Bahía Paraíso, in 1989) and not on operations. During the South Atlantic Conflict, they performed various tasks: Search And Rescue, Anti-Sub., Medevac. Maybe the most thrilling mission was a personnel evacuation from Pebble Island (Isla Borbón), performed by night and under the umbrella of enemy ships.They use AS-244 ASW torpedoes and AM-39 Exocet Anti-Ship Missiles.
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