ARM Sonora

ARM Sonora (PO-152) is a Durango-class patrol vessel in service with the Mexican Navy with a 57 mm (2.2 in) main gun turret and a helicopter landing pad, primarily used for illicit drug interdiction. Like other ships of this class, it was designed and built in Mexican dockyards. The vessel was launched and commissioned on 4 September 2000 and is in active service.

ARM Sonora docked at Guaymas in 2016
History
Mexico
Name	ARM Sonora
Builder	Mexican Navy Ship yards
Laid down	14 December 1999
Launched	4 September 2000
Commissioned	4 September 2000
Identification	Pennant number: PO-152
Status	In active service
General characteristics
Class & type	Durango-class patrol vessel
Displacement	1,300 long tons (1,300 t) standard 1,470 long tons (1,490 t) full load
Length	81.4 m (267 ft 1 in)
Beam	10.5 m (34 ft 5 in)
Draft	3.9 m (12 ft 10 in)
Propulsion	2 x Caterpillar 3616 diesel engines 6,197 hp (4,621 kW) 2 shafts
Speed	20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph)
Complement	74
Sensors & processing systems	Saab EOS 450 optronic director Surface and air search radar
Armament	Bofors 57 mm/70 caliber gun Mk 3
Aircraft carried	1 medium helicopter
Aviation facilities	One helicopter hangar

Description

The Durango-class design is based on the Holzinger-class patrol vessels but with a different superstructure.^[1] They have a standard displacement of 1,300 long tons (1,300 t)^[2] and 1,470 long tons (1,490 t) at full load.^[1] The vessels measure 81.4 meters (267 ft 1 in) long with a beam of 10.5 m (34 ft 5 in) and a draft of 3.9 m (12 ft 10 in). The patrol vessels are propelled by two shafts powered by two Caterpillar 3616 V16 diesel engines rated at 6,197 horsepower (4,621 kW).^[3] They have a maximum speed of 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph).^[2][a] For electrical power, the Durango class are equipped with two 260 kilowatt generators and one 190 kW generator.^[2]

The patrol vessels are armed with a single Bofors 57 mm (2.2 in)/70 caliber gun Mk 3 mounted forward capable of firing 220 rounds/minute to a range of 17 kilometers (11 mi). The ships mount an Alenia 2 combat data system and Saab EOS 450 optronic director for fire control. They are equipped with air and surface search radar.^[3] The Durango class has a complement of 74 including 10 officers with the capability to transport 55 additional personnel.^[2] Vessels of the class carry an 11-meter (36 ft) interceptor craft capable of over 50 knots (93 km/h; 58 mph). The vessels also mount a helicopter deck over the stern and a hangar and are capable of operating one medium helicopter.^[3]

Construction and career

The ship was laid down at ASTIMAR 20 shipyard in Salina Cruz, Oaxaca on 14 December 1999. Sonora was launched and commissioned into the Mexican Navy on 4 September 2000.^[3] In 2014, Sonora was among the Mexican units dispatched to Peru for the multi-national military exercise UNITAS.^[4] In 2018, Sonora was authorized to train with foreign navies. In July, the patrol vessel trained with the United States Navy at San Diego, California.^[5] In 2020, a member of Sonora's crew tested positive for COVID-19. The crew member was sent home while the rest of the crew, who showed no signs, remained isolated aboard their ship.^[6]

Notes

1. Jane's Fighting Ships states that the maximum speed is 18 knots (33 km/h; 21 mph).^[3]