Thailand successfully tests Marcus-B UAV on aircraft carrier HTMS Chakri Naruebet


According to information published by Aagth1 on November 23, 2021, the Royal Thai Navy successfully tests Marcus-B Unmanned Aerial Vehicle on aircraft carrier HTMS Chakri Naruebet.
Follow Navy Recognition on Google News at this link


Russian Vyborg Shipyard laid the Purga ice class coastguard ship of project 23550 925 001 Marcus-B Unmanned Aerial Vehicle on aircraft carrier HTMS Chakri Naruebet (Picture source: Sompong Nondhasa)


HTMS Chakri Naruebet (CVH-911) is the flagship of the Royal Thai Navy (RTN), and Thailand's first and only aircraft carrier, although the RTN refers to her as an "Offshore Patrol Helicopter Carrier".

Based on the Spanish Navy's Príncipe de Asturias design and constructed by Spanish shipbuilder Bazán, Chakri Naruebet was ordered in 1992, laid down in 1994, launched in 1996, and commissioned into the RTN in 1997. The ship is the smallest functioning aircraft carrier in the world.

Chakri Naruebet while still operating with Harriers was the smallest aircraft carrier with a fixed-wing air group in operation in the world. She displaces 11,486 tons at full load. The carrier is 164.1 meters (538 ft) long between perpendiculars and 182.65 meters (599.2 ft) overall.

The warship has a ship's company of 62 officers, 393 sailors, and 146 aircrews. Up to 675 additional personnel can be transported, usually from the Royal Thai Marine Corps.

Chakri Naruebet is fitted with two 0.5-inch machine guns, and three Matra Sadral sextuple surface-to-air missile launchers firing Mistral missiles. The vessel is also fitted for but not with an 8-cell Mark 41 Vertical launch system for Sea Sparrow missiles, and four Phalanx close-in weapon systems.