Foudre class landing platform dock
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
|
| Career |  |
|---|---|
| Displacement: |
|
| Length: | 168 m |
| Width: | 23,5 m |
| Draught: | 5,2 m |
| Propulsion: |
|
| Speed: | 21 knots |
| Range: | 20300 km at 15 knots |
| Complement: | 20 officers, 80 petty officers, 60 Quarter-masters, 450 passengers (900 for a short cruise), 150 men of an on-board high quarter |
| Armament: |
|
| Mole | 8 landing crafts |
| Planes | 4 helicopters |
| Motto: | |
The Foudre type vessels are landing platforms of the French Navy.
They carry large stowage areas which can be used to ferry battle tanks and vehicles, a 52-ton elevating platform, a lateral ramp and a flight deck able to simultaneously operate several helicopters.
Three rotations of such ships can ferry a whole armoured regiment with its 22 AMX-30 or Leclerc battle tanks, 44 AMX 10 RC light tanks, 22 véhicules de l'Avant Blindé, 41 all-terrain light vehicles (including 16 MILAN anti-tank missile systems), 54 TRM 4000 trucks, 15 TRM 2000 light trucks, 5 fuel trucks, 2 tug trucks, 6 120 mm mortars, 67 towed containers and one beach carpeting system, overall 3300 tonnes.
| Name (number) | Laid | Launched | Commissioned |
| Foudre (L 9011) | 26 March 1986 | 19 November 1988 | 7 December 1990 |
| Siroco (L 9012) | 9 October 1995 | 14 December 1996 | 21 December 1998 |
The hull is built around an inner pool which uses ¾ of the length of the ship, and can accommodate up to eight landing craft. They can be put to sea by filling ballast tanks and lowering the ship, and opening the rear door.
The aeronautical installations allow all-weather operations of transport helicopters, intended to carry commandos. 4 Super-Puma or 2 Super-Frelon helicopters can be accommodated in the hangar.
[edit] External links
