History
Narrative Summary
The service was formed as Servicio de Aeronáutica de la Armada on 7.2.1925 but received its first aircraft, two CANT 18 and one CANT 21, only on 24.9.1930. On 12.6.1934 Base Aeronaval No.1 Isla Libertad in the Bay of Montevideo became operational. In 1942 the service received some Sikorsky OS2U-3 Kingfisher and Fairchild PT-23A training aircraft from the United States in return for base facilities. In 1947 Base Aeronaval No.2 Cap. Corbeta Carlos A. Curbelo at Laguna del Sauce became operational. From 1949 till 1957 large quantities of Grumman Avenger, Grumman Hellcat and Martin Mariner were delivered to the Aviación Naval, as the service is known from 1951 on. The name was changed another time in 1955, when the Naval Aviation got its present name.
In the mid-1960s most of the operational aircraft reached the end of their economic life and it was only from 1965 on, when the ANU received Grumman S-2A Tracker and Sikorsky CH-34J. During the next years the service got only small quantities of aircraft and helicopters. Today the ANU is a small command with a Grupo de Escuadrones of two operational squadrons and one training school, which got a big boost in 2006, when they received six MBB Bo-105M from Germany.
Key Dates
7 February 1925 |
|
Servicio de Aeronáutica de la Armada was formed. |
24 September 1930 |
|
Servicio de Aeronáutica de la Armada received its first aircraft. |
12 June 1934 |
|
Base Aeronaval No.1 Isla Libertad became operational. |
10 September 1947 |
|
Base Aeronaval No.2 Cap. Corbeta Carlos A. Curbelo at Laguna del Sauce became operational. |
1951 |
|
The service was renamed Aviación Naval. |
1955 |
|
Aviación Naval Uruguaya became operational. |
Current Status
The aircraft of the Naval Aviation are fully operational.
Future Plans
No information available.
Markings
National Insignia
Current — Historical
Aircraft Serial Numbers
From 1930 aircraft serials began with number 1 and were used in chronological order as aircraft arrived in the Naval Aviation. From 1942 prefixes for identification were used, e.g. OP (Observación y Patrulla), SG (Servicios y Generales). From 1955 the prefix A (Armada) followed by three digits was used. The A was dropped at a later date.
Unit/Base Codes
Coding system not used
Aircraft
Aircraft Designations
None – Manufacturers designations used
Current Aircraft Inventory
Table of Current Service Aircraft
All-Time Aircraft Used List
All-Time Table of Aircraft Used
Aircraft NOT Used
No false reports known.
Aircraft Losses and Incidents
None known.
Organisation
Main Headquarters
Base Aeronaval No.2 "Capitán Corbeta Carlos A. Curbelo", Laguna del Sauce
Organisational Structure
Today the ANU is a small command with a Grupo de Escuadrones (ESCAN) of two operational squadrons and one training school.
Current Order of Battle
Table of Current Order of Battle
Historical Orders of Battle
Historical Order of Battle (as at 1947)
Historical Order of Battle (as at 1957)
Historical Order of Battle (as at 1977)
Historical Order of Battle (as at 1997)
All-Time Flying Units List
Units Listing
Air Bases
Current Air Bases
The Uruguay Naval Aviation currently operates one mayor airbase.
Military Air Bases Listing
All-Time Air Bases Used List
Military Air Bases Listing
Aircraft-Carrying Ships
To be added.
More Information
Books
Armed Forces of Latin America (Adrian English)
Latin-American Military Aviation (John Andrade)
Latin American Air Wars and Aircraft 1912-1969 (Dan Hagedorn)
Aircraft of the Chaco War 1928-1935 (Dan Hagedorn / Antonio L. Sapienza)
Air Arsenal North America (Phil Butler)
Magazines
World Air Power Journal No.31 p. 154-157
Websites
Aviación Naval Uruguaya
Scramble: Uruguay Air Arms
Memorias del Tiempo del Vuelo
Any photographs illustrating this air arm would be welcome.