The Ouragan |
|
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Builders: | Brest arsenal (DCN) |
| Operators: | France |
| Completed: | 2 |
| Active: | 0 |
| Retired: | 2 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Ouragan class Landing craft transport |
| Displacement: | 5,965 tons empty, 8,500 tons loaded |
| Length: | 149 metres |
| Beam: | 21.50 metres |
| Draft: | 5.4 metres |
| Propulsion: |
|
| Speed: | 17 knots (31 km/h) |
| Range: | 9,000 nautical miles, at 15-knot (28 km/h) speed, 15000 at 12 knots (22 km/h) |
| Complement: |
|
| Sensors and processing systems: |
2 Racal-Decca radars |
| Armament: |
|
The Ouragan was a class of French landing platform docks operated by the French Navy. They were called Transport de chalands de débarquement (TCD) (in English: landing craft transport).
The ships in this class were used for:
The landing is accomplished by means of an unloading barge transported in an interior raft called a radier. The TCD could simultaneously transport, refuel and put into operation four heavy helicopters, while ensuring the control of a limited landing operation, hospitalization and care of the wounded.
The essential characteristic distinguishing the TCD was the interior raft or radier, which was submersible in three metres of water and with a rear door that put it in contact with the water. The radier's dimensions were 120 metres long under 3.5 metres of water.
The ship had a 120 metre long well deck that could be submerged 3 metres under water.
The class comprised:
Ouragan was launched on November 9, 1963, the Orage in 1968.
The two ships of this class were supposedly due for transfer to the Argentine Navy in 2006 and 2007 but the whole operation was placed on hold by the Argentine Government due to concerns about asbestos, a toxic material used in the ships' construction. They are presently moored in Toulon harbour.