{{short description|Class of patrol boats in the Portuguese Navy}} {{Infobox ship |section1={{Infobox ship/image |image=NRP Centauro P1155.JPG |image_caption=NRP ''Centauro'' }}
|section2={{Infobox ship/class overview |name= ''Centauro'' |builders=Arsenal do Alfeite, Estaleiros Navais do Mondego |operators={{navy|Portugal}} |class_before={{sclass|Argos|patrol boat|4}} |class_after= |subclasses= |cost= |built_range= |in_service_range= |in_commission_range=2000–present |total_ships_building= |total_ships_planned= |total_ships_completed=4 |total_ships_canceled= |total_ships_active=4 |total_ships_laid_up= |total_ships_lost= |total_ships_retired= |total_ships_preserved= }}
|section3={{Infobox ship/characteristics |type=Patrol boat |displacement={{cvt|94|t|LT|lk=on}} fully loaded |length={{convert|28.4|m|ftin|abbr=on}} |beam={{convert|5.95|m|ftin|abbr=on}} |draught={{convert|1.45|m|ftin|abbr=on}} |propulsion=2 × Cummins KTA-50-M2 diesel engines, {{cvt|3600|hp|lk=out|order=flip}} |speed={{convert|26|kn|lk=in}} |range={{convert|1350|nmi|lk=in|abbr=on}} at {{convert|15|kn}} |complement=8 |sensors= |armament=1 × Oerlikon {{cvt|20|mm}} gun |aircraft= |aircraft_facilities= |notes= }} }} The '''''Centauro''-class patrol boat''' is a series of four patrol boats in service with the Portuguese Navy. It is an evolution of the preceding {{sclass|Argos|patrol boat|4}}. This class is meant for fisheries inspection and control duties mainly in the Mainland Portugal shores – with some sporadic presence in the Madeira Archipelago. The ''Centauro'' class is Portuguese-designed and built at the Arsenal do Alfeite (Almada) and Estaleiros Navais do Mondego (Figueira da Foz).
==Design and description== The ''Centauro''-class patrol boats are an evolution of the {{sclass|Argos|patrol boat|4}}, constructed of aluminium instead of the ''Argos''{{'}} glass reinforced plastic design. The ''Centauro'' class measure {{convert|28.4|m|ftin}} long with a beam of {{convert|5.95|m|ftin|abbr=on}} and a draught of {{convert|1.45|m|ftin|abbr=on}}.{{sfn|Saunders|2009|p=634}}{{sfn|Wertheim|2013|p=553}}{{efn|The Portuguese Navy website has the draught at {{cvt|2.8|m|ftin}}.{{sfn|NRP ''Centauro''}}}} The patrol boats have a standard displacement of {{convert|82|t|LT|lk=on}} and {{cvt|94|t|LT}} fully loaded.{{sfn|Wertheim|2013|p=553}}{{sfn|NRP ''Centauro''}}{{efn|Saunders has the vessel's fully loaded displacement as {{cvt|89|t|LT}}.{{sfn|Saunders|2009|p=634}}}} The vessels are powered by two Cummins KTA-50-M2 diesel engines turning two shafts creating {{convert|3600|hp|lk=out|order=flip}}. This gives the vessels a maximum speed of {{convert|26|kn|lk=in}}, though they did make {{convert|28|kn}} during sea trials.{{sfn|Wertheim|2013|p=553}} They have a range of {{convert|1350|nmi|lk=in}} at {{convert|15|kn}}{{sfn|NRP ''Centauro''}} or {{cvt|640|nmi}} at {{convert|20|kn}}.{{sfn|Saunders|2009|p=634}}{{sfn|Wertheim|2013|p=553}} The ''Centauro''s are equipped with two Cummins 6BT5.95(M) diesel generators producing 150 kW of electricity. The ships can operate in sea state 3.{{sfn|Saunders|2009|p=634}}
The patrol boats mount a single Oerlikon {{convert|20|mm|adj=on}}/70 Mk 4 gun for anti-air defence.{{sfn|Wertheim|2013|p=553}} The ships were equipped with navigational radar only.{{sfn|Wertheim|2013|p=553}}{{sfn|NRP ''Centauro''}} They also carry a {{cvt|4|m}} launch carried on a launch-and-recovery ramp on the stern and the boat can be recovered at speeds up to {{convert|10|kn}}.{{sfn|Saunders|2009|p=634}}{{sfn|Wertheim|2013|p=553}} The vessels have a complement of eight, including one officer.{{sfn|Saunders|2009|p=634}}{{sfn|NRP ''Centauro''}}{{efn|Wertheim has the complement at ten with two officers.{{sfn|Wertheim|2013|p=553}}}}
==Construction and career== The class were ordered in 1998 as an improved version of the ''Argos'' class.{{sfn|Wertheim|2013|p=553}} They were designed and built in Portugal.{{sfn|NRP ''Orion''}} Upon entering service, the vessels were deployed for fisheries protection, search and rescue and general patrol. The ''Centauro''s take part in some naval exercises and some training.{{sfn|NRP ''Centauro''}} In 2006, one boat of this class, NRP ''Sagitário'', became the first Portuguese warship with a female commander, the second lieutenant Gisela Antunes.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rtp.pt/noticias/pais/primeira-mulher-a-comandar-navio-da-marinha-faz-balanco-positivo_n41549 |title=Primeira mulher a comandar navio da Marinha faz balanço positivo |website=RTP Notícias |language=pt |date=8 March 2007 |access-date=22 October 2021 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022135045/https://www.rtp.pt/noticias/pais/primeira-mulher-a-comandar-navio-da-marinha-faz-balanco-positivo_n41549 |archive-date=2021-10-22 }}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet |url=https://twitter.com/marinhapt/status/1261608694279790592?lang=en |title=No dia 16 de maio de 2006 |user=MarinhaPT |date=16 May 2020 |number=1261608694279790592 |access-date=22 October 2021 }}</ref>
==Ships== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" ! scope="col"| Pennant ! scope="col"| Name ! scope="col"| Builder ! scope="col"| Commissioned ! scope="col"| Status |- |scope="row"| P1155 | {{NRP|Centauro||2}} |rowspan="2" align="center"| Arsenal do Alfeite{{sfn|Saunders|2009|p=634}}{{sfn|NRP ''Orion''}} | 21 March 2000{{sfn|NRP ''Centauro''}}{{efn|Saunders has the date as 20 March{{sfn|Saunders|2009|p=634}} and Wertheim, 1 February.{{sfn|Wertheim|2013|p=553}}}} | Active |- |scope="row"| P1156 | {{NRP|Oríon||2}} | 27 March 2001{{sfn|NRP ''Orion''}}{{efn|Saunders has the date as 20 March 2000{{sfn|Saunders|2009|p=634}} and Wertheim, 3 April 2000.{{sfn|Wertheim|2013|p=553}}}} | Active |- |scope="row"| P1157 | {{NRP|Pégaso||2}} |rowspan="2" align="center"| Estaleiros Navais do Mondego{{sfn|NRP ''Pégaso''}}{{sfn|NRP ''Sagitário''}}{{efn|Wertheim has the two ships constructed by CONAFIL in Vila Real de San Antonio.{{sfn|Wertheim|2013|p=553}}}} | 27 March 2001{{sfn|NRP ''Pégaso''}} | Active |- |scope="row"| P1158 | {{NRP|Sagitário||2}} | 27 March 2001{{sfn|NRP ''Sagitário''}} | Active |- |}
==Notes== {{notelist}}
==Citations== {{reflist}}
==References== * {{cite web |url=https://www.marinha.pt/pt/os_meios/lanchas/Paginas/nrp-centauro.aspx |title=NRP Centauro |publisher=Portuguese Navy |language=pt |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127235128/https://www.marinha.pt/pt/os_meios/lanchas/Paginas/nrp-centauro.aspx |archive-date=27 January 2021 |access-date=22 October 2021 |url-status=live |ref={{sfnref|NRP ''Centauro''}}}} * {{cite web |url=https://www.marinha.pt/pt/os_meios/lanchas/Paginas/nrp-orion.aspx |title=NRP Orion |language=pt |publisher=Portuguese Navy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127223430/https://www.marinha.pt/pt/os_meios/lanchas/Paginas/nrp-orion.aspx |archive-date=27 January 2021 |access-date=22 October 2021 |url-status=live |ref={{sfnref|NRP ''Orion''}}}} * {{cite web |url=https://www.marinha.pt/pt/os_meios/lanchas/Paginas/nrp-pegaso.aspx |title=NRP Pégaso |language=pt |publisher=Portuguese Navy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117055622/https://www.marinha.pt/pt/os_meios/lanchas/Paginas/nrp-pegaso.aspx |archive-date=17 January 2021 |access-date=22 October 2021 |url-status=live |ref={{sfnref|NRP ''Pégaso''}}}} * {{cite web |url=https://www.marinha.pt/pt/os_meios/lanchas/Paginas/nrp-sagit%C3%A1rio.aspx |title=NRP Sagitário |language=pt |publisher=Portuguese Navy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117071121/https://www.marinha.pt/pt/os_meios/lanchas/Paginas/nrp-sagit%C3%A1rio.aspx |archive-date=17 January 2021 |access-date=22 October 2021 |url-status=live |ref={{sfnref|NRP ''Sagitário''}}}} * {{cite book |editor-last=Saunders |editor-first=Stephen |year=2009 |title=Jane's Fighting Ships 2009–2010 |publisher=Jane's Information Group Inc. |edition=112th |location=Alexandria, Virginia |isbn=978-0-7106-2888-6}} * {{cite book |editor-last=Wertheim |editor-first=Eric |year=2013 |title=The Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World |edition=16th |publisher=Naval Institute Press |location=Annapolis, Maryland |isbn=9-7-815911-4954-5}}
{{Post1945PortugueseShips}}
Category:Patrol boats of the Portuguese Navy Category:Patrol boat classes Category:Ships built in Portugal Category:Military equipment of Portugal