Classify Mistral

History

Doctrines of the operations amphibians Frenchwomen of 1997

The General-purpose Building industry of Intervention (IBP) is a study of LHD launched in 1997 by the arsenals French, that is to say the Management of naval constructions (DCN) public, become today the company of private law DCNS. It intervenes at the same time when day a renewal of the doctrines of the operations amphibians Frenchwomen is done.

According to various internal publications with the French Armies, the IBP takes part, through the national Concept of the operations amphibians (CNOA) of the June 10th 1997, with the revival of the forces of less activity since the Sixties same if the France always had specialized buildings, rather used besides for operational transport , namely Transport of barges of unloading (TCD) standard Ouragan “O” and standard Foudre “F”. The CNOA envisages, indeed, with the current capacities amphibians of the France, the preparation and the control of four amphibious types of operations: namely the unloading ( amphibious assault , according to NATO), the re-embarkation ( amphibious withdrawal ), the operation of disappointment ( amphibious demonstration ) and to and from ( amphibious raid ) . It remains fully compatible with the principal doctrinal projections of the allies to allow the implementation of the French capacities within the broader framework of multinational engagements , governed by the European Initiative amphibian (IEA) of December 5th 2000 and Allied Tactical Publication n°8B (ATP8) of NATO. The CNOA, which gives the priority to the aeromobility, insists nevertheless on the need for one clear increase in the capacities of the hangars vehicles and the residences and concludes on the objective to be able to project since the sea an embarked Group interarmées (GIE) of four companies of combat, that is to say: 1400 men, 280 vehicles and 30 Helicopter S , with a 10 day endurance in a depth of a hundred kilometers in hostile territory, where which it is on the sphere.

With the difference of those of other nations, the great French units with vocation amphibian depend on the Army. It is about the 9th armor-plated light brigade of navy (9th BLBMa), of the 6th light brigade armor-plated (6th BLB), of 4th brigade aéromobile (4th BAM) and of the 519e regiment of the train (519e RT) of support to projection.

Studies: IBP with the PHI

The general-purpose building of intervention (IBP)

The study of the general-purpose Building industry of intervention (IBP) appears at the time of the redevelopment projects or fusion-acquisitions of the industry of defense aiming at creating in Europe a " Airbus naval" . The integration of industries of defense of the 10 European nations which lay out each one of a military naval expertise in a specific class of buildings however pains to be concretized, primarily because of political considerations. After the abandonment of both Helicopter carrier with nuclear propulsion pH 75 in 1980, the IBP aims to propose a range of modular amphibious ships (which will become 10 years later BPC Family ). In 1997, this large family, which includes/understands 3 alternatives, is based on a common model, the New transport of barges of unloading (NTCD).

The new transport of barges of unloading (NTCD)

The NTCD is intended to replace at the horizon 2005 - 2006 the 2 TCD of the class Ouragan (L9021 and L9022) in end of a career since brought into service in 1965 and 1968. Project IBP 19 of a displacement of: 19000 tons, which corresponds more or less to dimensions of the NTCD, has a 190 meters length with continuous-girder bridge ( flush-deck ), a width (or Master-beam) of 26,5 meters and a draft of 6,5 meters.

Lighter, the IBP 13, IBP 10 and IBP 8 would have moved, respectively: 13000: 10000 and: 8000 tons, for lengths of 151,125 and 102 meters and a width common from 23 to 23,2 meters, which would have made of this last model an equivalent (the hangar helicopters in addition) of the 3 Landing Platform Docks (LPD) of the class San Giorgio of the Marina militare (MM) Italian, admitted with the active service between 1987 and 1998 and, then, only buildings of amphibious attack, except the United States, to have a continuous-girder bridge and a foundation raft ( dock ) of appreciable size.

At the time of the studies, the project of NTCD also presents a configuration including/understanding a Ascenseur to port side cantilever with the way of the American LHD of the class Tarawa and another with starboard, in the center of the flight deck and in front of the small island. Other sights of artist and plans see it gréé in Carry-aircraft, provided with a springboard allowing the implementation of the BAE Systems-Lockheed AV-8B Harrier II, of future JSF V-STOL (since Lockheed F-35 Lightning II - B) as well as 4 to 5 spots helicopters (including one reinforced for convertible Beautiful-Boeing V-22 Osprey or Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion) and of a foundation raft which can accommodate 1 Machine of unloading of infantry and tanks (EDIC) French Saber class (Landing Craft Utility for NATO) or 2 Landing Kraft American Air (LCAC) Cushion. However, the Sénat French recalls that

the reception of planes on vertical takeoff does not enter the CNOA . The purpose of this version was thus obviously to make the IBP 19 gravitational to export whereas Spanish arsenals E.N. Bazan (then Izar and from now on Navantia) had already sold with the Thailand in 1992 a copy reduced on the level self-defense of aircraft carrier SPS Principe of Asturias , the HTMS Chakri Naruebet , brought into service in March 1997.

Other later sights of artist of the NTCD see the principal elevator moved in poop, with starboard then in the center, while an auxiliary elevator is with the back of the small island.

These last configurations will be retained by Royal the.

The helicopter carrier of intervention (PHI)

At the end of December 2000, the NTCD is famous in the Helicopter carrier of intervention (PHI) then, the National marine warning itself that such a name omits the amphibian and the command, the ship takes the name, with the beginning of the year 2001, of Building of projection and command (BPC).

Divide industrial

Whereas External operations (OPEX) cut down the budgets by equipment (and the availability of the fleet or Maintenance in operational condition (MCO) however voted by the military law of programming 1997 - 2002 of July 2nd 1996, the Minister for Defense Alain Richard confirms, certainly, the launching of the program during the living room Euronaval 1998, but its green light to the construction of two buildings only on December 8th 2000 gives, that is to say with one year of delay. The Mistral (L9013) and the Tonnerre (L9014) are based on the last studies of the IBP 19. The contract of realization interns General delegation for the Armament (DGA)/DCN is notified on December 22nd of the same year. After favorable opinion of the Committee of the markets of the Union of the groupings of open-market purchases (UGAP) on July 13rd 2001, the contract is notified the 30 with the DCN, project superintendent, which will ensure 55% of the building site in working times and 60% in value and with its subcontractor, the Chantiers of the Atlantic (then property of Alstom, today of Norwegian Aker Yards). It should be noted that one learns as of December that 3% in value of construction will be sub-contracted by DCN with the building site Stocznia Remontowa de Gdańsk (Poland) and one of its subsidiary companies.

The industrial engineering is decentralized: DCN is responsible for engineering with Lorient, of the systems design of combat with Toulon, then of the construction of the part postpones military (of which the small island) and of its integration to the front part with Brest. The latter is carried out with Saint-Nazaire by the Chantiers of the Atlantic. With Doves, Thalès, subcontractor, is in load of the radars and the communication systems.

The delivery period of each building will be only 34 months, against 46,5 months for the two TCD '' Foudre '' and Siroco (L9011 and L9012), the whole at the same price (685 million euros studies included/understood) that the latter (of a tonnage twice less) or that only one LPH HMS Ocean of the Royal Navy or a LPD-17 of the US Navy.

Development

The starting of the plate of design engineering integrated (35-40 people) takes place with Saint-Nazaire on September 3rd 2001. The 27, a review enters the silent partner (Service of the naval programs of DGA) and the project superintendent (DCN) lance the design engineering. In the tread, sessions concerning the general standard of the ship continue until December 20th with which associate the staff and the Chantiers of the Atlantic. At the conclusion, wind tunnel tests by ONERA of a model to the 1/120 aimed, like all the ships of the Navy since 1947, to study the Aérologie ship, i.e. the way in which the air runs out around him. Rather squat ship, with high and lengthened parts, which create zones very disturbed by wind of through , the sudden BPC of the tests and the minor modifications of its design which will be very useful for the pilots, the presence of a zone of turbulence or a cross-wind is indeed prejudicial with a good landing

Construction

With DCN of Brest takes place on July 9th 2002 the cutting of first sheet of the back part of the Mistral , then on December 13rd of that of the Tonnerre . Of their dimensioned, the Chantiers of the Atlantic of Saint-Nazaire cut out first sheet of the part before Mistral on January 28th 2003 then Tonnerre . The first block of the back hull of the Tonnerre is put in the hold dries on August 26th 2003, then that of the Mistral on October 13rd 2003. These methods of engineering mark the beginning of a revival of French military naval engineering since, with Brest as with Saint-Nazaire, construction is done in parallel and more precisely face to face in the same basin, a Ascenseur allowing the rapid access of the workmen the buildings.

Put on hold at Saint-Nazaire on January 23rd 2004, the part before Mistral realized in this same city is towed from July 16th to 19th 2004 towards Brest. July 30th 2004 begins the Jumboïsation (junction) from the parts before and back in the basin n°9. The setting on hold of the first block of the part before Tonnerre takes place on May 5th 2004 and arrives at Brest on May 2nd 2005 for junction.

In agreement with the calendar, the Mistral is put at flood on October 6th 2004 while the Tonnerre is on July 26th 2005. The deliveries of the Mistral and the Thunder , envisaged respectively in the 2nd quarter 2005 and the 1st quarter 2006 are delayed one year to one year ½ because of industrial problems which have occurred at the time the development of system SENIT 9 (DCN) and of deteriorations met on: 8000 m ² of the floors in Linoleum of the part before (Building sites of the Atlantic).

Characteristics

Within the Force of naval action of the National marine, the Mistral and the Tonnerre are the most important buildings in tonnage after the nuclear Porte-avions (SIDE, CVN according to NATO) '' Charles-of-Gaulle '', which they exceed besides in one meter height on the level of the flight deck. Moving 21.300 tons with full load, they have a length 199 meters, a width of 32 m and a draft of 6,2 Mr.

The class Mistral profited from significant military technological changes but also of others, inspired by the civilian, including thanks to " purchases; on étagère" tested technologies.

Aeronautical capacities

Pont d' take-off

Compared with: 1450 m ² of surface of flight deck of TCD '' Foudre '' (3 spots on front platform) or with: 1536 m ² of the TCD Sirocco (3 spots on platform before and 1 on platform postpones), them: 6400 m ² of the BPC are spread out over a continuous-girder bridge including/understanding 6 spots, of which first is reinforced for apparatuses of 33 tons.

Placement of helicopters

If implementation the simultaneous of Hélicoptère S passes only from 4 to 6, the number of the latter stored, repaired and ready to take off, passes him from 4 to 16 within a hangar of: 1800 m ² located at the lower bridge. An aeronautical zone of maintenance equipped with a Overhead travelling crane, various workshops and aeronautical stores authorizes the complete maintenance of the embarked helicopters. The installations of fuelling in Carburant aviation (of the Kerosene TR5) make it possible to carry out the full ones or recoveries on 4 Hélicoptère S simultaneously on the flight deck thanks to assemble-ammunition or to carry out this operation inside the hangar.

Elevators

The BPC are equipped with 2 lifting platforms Mac Gregor of load of 13 tons, the first of 225 m ², allowing the rise the level of the flight deck of helicopters deployed aerofoils (curtailing the time of takeoff), the second of 120 m ² near a crane of load of 17 tons. According to the captain Gilles Humeau, ordering Mistral , the size of the flight deck allowed operations, note to implement 30 aircraft by using the 6 spots .

Helps with the landing

To facilitate the landing, the installations include/understand a Radar of approach DRBN-38A Decca Bridgemaster E250 and an optics including/understanding a Descent and Tilt Clinometer (IPD) and a Horizontal Bar of Reference mark (BRH).

Capacities amphibians

The BPC can embark 450 soldiers and all the machines of the Army, of the cross-country light vehicle Peugeot P4 with the tank of battle Nexter AMX-56 Leclerc. In spite of a hangar vehicles of: 2650 m ² (against: 1000 for its predecessors of the class the Lightning), the BPC can store only 59 armoured tanks or a squadron of 13 Leclerc tanks (against approximately 100 vehicles including 22 tanks Nexter AMX-30 for the TCD Foudre ). In the same way, the foundation raft of 885 m ² of the BPC is designed to accommodate 4 TCD out of against 10 on: 1732 m ² for the the Lightning .

Nevertheless, the BPC have one more been worth of size: to be able to embark 2 Hydroglisseur S LCACs of 95t of the US Marine Body (USMC) which, if the Navy acquired of it, would allow a plageage on almost 70% of the world coasts, against only 15-30% for the TCD, limited to the beaches of Sable or the marshy zones. Lastly, the speed of the LCAC (54 nodes) makes it possible to consider a positioning of the remote force of safety beyond the horizon, that is to say over the beach (OTB).

Headquarters

A building " in réseau"

TCD Foudre have very elaborate installations of command already. Nevertheless, dimensions of the BPC enable them to place at the disposal of a staff a Headquarters of embarked operative Level (PC NOAH) having vocation to lead since the sea an operation interarmées, main road or interallied of limited width or a PC Amphibious Task force or Landing Force (FRA or LF, according to NATO) with a manpower of 50-100 personnel. The BPC have 850 m ² of préconnectés and flexible buildings (150 work stations communicating with 10 Mbit a second). Their PC makes it possible as well as possible to manage the information collected within the framework of a Network Centric Warfare, that is to say combat in network info-center for France. First of all thanks to the sensors of the System of Direction of Operations (SDO), federated by the Naval Operating system of Tactical Information (SENIT) of DCN (derivative of Naval Tactical Data System (NTDS) American) whose version 9 knew delays. The SENIT 9 includes/understands the Thalès Multi Role Radar (MRR3D-NG) 3D with band-C with capacity of Identification Friend gold Foe (IF). Moreover, it allows the federation of planning and the information systems and the setting in network, together nodes (or pole) connected to each other by bonds (channels or links ) like the Connection 11 and the Liaison 16 of NATO and, in the long term the Liaison 22.

Telecommunications

Whereas the military Télécommunications were ensured by four Satellite S civilians Telecom 2 of the System of Radiocommunication Using a Satellite (SYRACUSE), the BPC profit from the satellites SYRACUSE 3 - has and - B, the first protected French network. From June 18th to 24th 2007 was installation a videoconference twice-daily and quantified between the crew of the Tonnerre and many personalities whose president of the Republic Nicolas Sarkozy, visits some with the International fair of the aeronautics and the space of Paris-Le Bourget.

Armament

The asymmetrical threat

As regards self-defense, the Mistral is not with the signal and the service entrance in 2008 and 2009 of the two ships of the Class Horizon or Forbin (D620 and D621) then that, of 2012 with 2016, of the six first of the seventeen European Frigates MultiMissions (FREMM) of Aquitanian class . These buildings will implement anti-missile and anti-aircraft missiles Eurosam AéroSpatial Final (ASTER): respectively ASTER-30 of average carried and ASTER-15 of short range.

Guns

In addition, for budgetary matters, 4 turrets simple OTO Breda-Mauser of 30mm (800 blows per minute and consecutive shootings with 120 blows per minute) initially envisaged in corbelling (with port side before and starboard postpones) were still not installed.

Protection with short range

In fact, to defend oneself against the asymmetrical threats, the BPC lay out currently only of two Integrated systems Mistral Bi-ammunition for Self-defense (SIMBAD). These two launchers manual (back port side and front starboard) Bi-ammunition and assembled on mounting are directly operations by the strapped body of the gunner, while the chief of part disseminates his information thanks to a reflector view finder to him and the assistance to restock the Missile. This last, the MBDA Mistral sea-to-air with very short range (5 kilometers) hitherto equipped only the great units with support or the combat ships on board of which it constitutes the weapon d'" ultimate défense" and not of the buildings of 1st rank, which have quadruple launchers TETRAL. The National marine could thus choose this last tested system which, although using the same missile, is integrated in the system of coordination and fire control system of the building and allows the remote loading of the relative data the target for an automatic launching of day like night of 4 missiles (shooting of the first five seconds after reception of the data and second three seconds later). What would avoid with the Royale having to replace SIMBAD by the more expensive system of air defense of zone with short range of eight missiles MBDA Vertical Lauch-Missile of interception, of Combat and of Self-defense (VL- MICA) whose integration had however been envisaged at the origin in the same corbellings.

Hospital

The technical plate of the BPC is comparable with that of a Hôpital of a town of 25.000 inhabitants, that is to say a hospital of role 3 for NATO (against role 2 for the Charles-of-Gaulle or TCD classifies Foudre, role 4 being reserved for a Hospital of instruction of armies (HIA) terrestrial). It allows the treatment on board all pathologies (including most complex such of the acts of neurosurgery) grace, in particular, with a system of Télémédecine via SYRACUSE. This hospital, twice more roomy than that of the standard TCD “F”, includes/understands a score of buildings including 2 operating room suites being able to function simultaneously with 7 beds of intensive care, a room of radiology with scanner and 69 beds, including 50 for the intensive care. The loading of medical modules of the Department of health of the armies (or Health professional trainings of countryside (FSC), famous “hospitals of countryside”) in the hangar Hélicoptère S makes it possible to extend the capacity to 50 other beds.

Maneuverability

Mistral and Tonnerre is the first buildings of the National marine to being equipped with a propulsion containing 2 pods (propellent out of English nacelle) engine-engine suspended out of nacelle under the hull and equipped each one with a Hélice. These pods is fed by the internal machinery of the vessel (5 diesel engine Wärtsilä) and is directional with 360°, conferring to him a very good maneuverability and releasing of space, since there is no propeller shaft. It is not astonishing that Alstom/Chantiers of the Atlantic proposed this very electric process, used on more and more of civil ships, of which the Queen Mary 2 that they built. In the chapter of the disadvantages, military reliability with the long-term of these relatively expensive systems is still not proven, although installed on the 4 LPD néerlando-Spanish of the classes Rotterdam and Galicia (standard Enforcer: 13000), commissioned 1998 with 2007 and 2 British LPD of the class Albion entered in service in November 2001 and June 2003. Nevertheless, in the event of damage of the pods, the building will have to carry out an expensive passage in the dry hold, preventing to him from being by contract operational per annum 210 days of sea.

Habitability

The space gained thanks to the propulsion by pods ensures the BPC (with the difference of the SIDE Charles-of-Gaulle conceived at one time when the Ergonomie was not setting), that no cable or piping is visible in the broad gangways of the part of front life. Within the framework of the management of the crises and need for " to last with the mer" , the Navy takes into account the support of the man. Conceived by the Building sites of the Atlantic, the front part offers to a comfort level often comparable with that of its Paquebot S. the 15 officers of the edge have each one their own continuation with integrated office and bathroom. The higher warrant officers divide a cabin with two most of the time. The embarked troops are from 4 to 6 per cabin, a comfort Spartan but more comfortable than in our barracks , indicates lieutenant Jean-Pierre Royet of the Foreign legion. The vice-admiral Fitzgerald Mark, ordering the 2nd US Fleet, at the time of his visit of the Thunder in May 2007, would have entrusted to the commander there that itself could have placed 500 men, that is to say 3 times more than the current crew…

Tests and exercises

Interworking NATO

The Mistral and Tonnerre are certified like ships members of the maritime component (CATF) of the NATO Response Force (NRF) 8, enabling them to intervene within Combined Joint Task force (CJTF). The first turn of alarm of France within the NRF 8 (under Spanish command with English and Italian participation) began in January 2007 for 6 months. The National marine then places at the disposal a staff of amphibious command (or To order Amphibious Task force (CATF) according to NATO) and 8 buildings. The next turn of 6 months alarm of the France within the NRF 10 is envisaged on January 1st 2008, at the conclusion of the exercises Noble Midas and Steadfast Jaw of NATO. According to the commander Rene-Jean Crignola we must be able to gather the force into 5 to 30 days.

Checking of the military capacities

In the past called crossed long life (three months), the Checking of the military capacities (VCM) aims to certify the BPC with the control of an operation amphibian. That of the Mistral is held from March 21st to May 31st 2006 (departure and return to Toulon) in Mediterranean and in the Indian Ocean. It carries out its first stopover abroad with Sude (Greece) from April 8th to 12th, with Djibouti (République of Djibouti) from April 19th to 22nd, with Kochi (India) from May 2nd to 5th, then again in Djibouti of the 11 to the 16, where it proceeds to various " exercises of sécurité" , and finally in Akzaz (Turkey) of the 23 to the 28.

The VCM of the Tonnerre take place the Mediterranean at sea, in the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea from April 10th to July 24th 2007 (departure and return to Toulon) and included/understood stopovers with Saint-Pierre-and-Miquelon (TOM, France) on April 21st, with Halifax (Canada) of the 23 to the 27, with Norfolk (the United States) from April 30th to May 7th, with Fort-de-France (DOM, France) of the 25 to the 28, with Rio de Janeiro (Brésil) from June 8th to 13rd, with the Cape (South Africa) of the 25 to the 30 and with Dakar (Senegal) from July 14th to 17th.

The 2nd VCM of the Mistral will take place in 2008 in the Indian Ocean and in the Far East. Common exercises are envisaged with the Royal Navy.

Exercises of landing of aircraft

About all the types of Helicopter S in service in the French Army , is those of the light Aviation of the Army (ALAT), of the Air force and of the National marine, landed on a BPC.

February 8th 2005, AgustaWestland Lynx of the Navy then a Eurocopter EC-725 Cougar of the ALAT is posed with the back Mistral . The first landing of a NHI Industries NH90 - NFH (Nato Frigate Helicopter), which must in the long term constitute half of the air-type group of 16 revolving aerofoils of the BPC for the transport of troops and materials (other half being the combat helicopter Eurocopter EC-665 Tigre for the support of the troops on the ground), takes place on March 9th 2006 on board the Mistral to broad of Toulon. April 19th 2007, an unspecified number of Eurocopter SA 330 Puma, Eurocopter as-550/555 Fennec of the BA 365 (Martinique), Eurocopter ACES 565 SA Panther of the Navy land on the Tonnerre . May 10th 2007, Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion of the US Navy is posed on its spot before reinforced with broad with Norfolk (the United States)

June 30th 2007, a South-African helicopter of Oryx type (licensed product starting from the Puma) lands on the Tonnerre . July 9th, with broad of the Gulf of Guinea, ten combat helicopters Gazelle and Cougar of the ALAT and air force and/or men with the cord deposited there are posed on the bridge within the framework of the Opération Unicorn, rising from the Crise politico-soldier in Ivory Coast.

It should be noted that a series of approximately 300 landings of the Tiger took place only on frigate (F 714 Guépratte ) and TCD (L9012 Siroco ) from May 27th to June 7th 2007 under extreme conditions in the Mediterranean (hollow of 6 meters, winds with nearly 100 km/h, lodging with 12°) in order to validate the navalisation of the apparatus on board BPC, fine 2008.

September 12th 2007, at the time of the quarterly exercise Gabian which implements the frigates Cassard (D614) and Jean Bart (D615) then a E-3F AWACS of the French air force, 6 helicopters Alouette III of the ROUND OF APPLAUSE of Hyères Palyvestre land simultaneously on the Tonnerre ,

Amphibious exercises

On the beach of Saumonards, on the island of Oléron (France), the Mistral takes part from March 27th to 30th 2006 in exercise SKREO of transshipment with the boats of the 1st amphibious squadron of the 519e regiment of the train (519e RT) and the sappers of the 6th regiment of the genius (6th RG).

April 19th 2006, a déradiage of two Transport of barges of material (TCM) of the Mistral takes place in Red Sea.

From September 29th to October 13rd 2006, the Mistral takes part in the Mediterranean with seven other French ships in Brilliant exercise NATO Midas 2006, joining together thirty buildings, six submarines, thirty-five aircraft of twelve nations like: 5000 soldiers. It is held in two phases amphibians: a exercise of unloading and re-embarkation under French responsibility on the beach for Dramont, close to Frejus (France) on October 5th, then another exercise of “tactical play”, with the follow-up of a scenario in real-time from October 8th to 12th aiming to tackle a fortified town and to protect an airport before an unloading in the roads from Racou, between Argelès-sur-mer and Port-Vendres (France) on October 9th 2006. From February 5th to 16th 2007, annual exercise EXENAU, in roads and off Toulon (4 days) makes it possible to again accommodate on board the Mistral a PC NOAH. The scenario puts in scene an huge archipelago located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean and composed of six fictitious countries , of which all characteristics influencing the operation (weather, roads, population, institutions…) were notified in country books . Capacity PC NOAH is examined in fields of infrastructure (it was a question of checking that those of the BPC met the needs for autonomous operation of a staff), information (it was a question of controlling the possibility, for the PC of force, of managing entering information and of diffusing the orders) and of the environment (it was necessary to make sure of the possibility of working whatever the situation of day before or action building). German and Italian representatives also having a European PC of force had been invited to take part in the exercise. A more crucial exercise with the 2nd US fleet proceeds from May 9th to 11th 2007 at broad base amphibian of Little Creek (most important of this type in the world), located at Virginia Beach (the United States). Kent Taylor, chief of program of Naval Sea Systems Command of the US Navy enradiait and déradiait on the occasion a LCAC of the Tonnerre and recalled that this test of interworking had been planned during the definition of the ship, there is more than eight years.

On a beach of the peninsula of Rhuys (France) in Atlantic Ocean, the Mistral takes part from May 19th to 25th 2007 in exercise SKRE0 2007 of evacuation of nationals of an imaginary country. The exercise mobilizes: 1000 soldiers and more than 300 vehicles including 140 armoured tanks on wheels.,

A exercise of amphibious unloading of the Tonnerre takes place on May 24th 2007 in Caribbean Sea on the beach of Carbet in Guadeloupe with the 33e regiment of marines (RIMa) then another, on July 9th, on a zone lagunaire with broad of Abidjan (Ivory Coast), with sailors of the building and men of the 43e battalion of marines (43e BIMa).

June 30th 2007, 144 men with some vehicles of a regiment of infantry motorized of embark by TCD on board the Tonnerre .

1st at October 16th 2007, the Tonnerre is the flagship of the exercise Noble Midas of NATO, at the sides of 40 buildings of surface, of which aircraft carrier SPS Principe of Asturias and HMS Illustrious , the LPD San Giorgio and San Marco , of 5 submarines and 20 aircraft coming from 12 nations. The scenario puts in scene “Mapleland, which borders the Adriatic Sea, in which the conservative party of country (CPM) for creating a new autonomous state, independent of Mapleland. The government of Mapleland calls upon the the United Nations to prevent the south of its country to make secession and obtain the deployment of a gripping force of peace. Moreover, the various countries bordering Mapleland fear the impacts of a development of the conflict in several fields: commercial exchanges and economic disturbance, important disturbance of the sea traffic at sea Adriatic. In front of the deterioration of the situation, the the United Nations vote for a resolution giving mandate to NATO to intervene in order to ensure the maintenance of peace in the area. ”. This exercise gave place to déradiages and enradiages of EDIC and héliportées operations with ground.

Other exercises

From April 22nd to 29th 2006, the Mistral carries out in Red Sea and in the Golfe of Aden tests of watering in rain and protection against Nuclear weapon, radiological, bacteriological and chemical (NRBC). Various other exercises of the same type take place regularly on board the Mistral or the Tonnerre .

In March 2007, the installations of télémédecine of the embarked hospital are tested on the Mistral .

July 19th 2007 with 03:00 GMT, the Tonnerre which received a call of Maritime Regional Coordination Centers (MRCC) Tenerife, Canary islands (Spain), inflects its 8 hour old road towards the west at maximum speed and dispatch 2 Gazelles for a mission (SAR) shipwrecked men come from sub-Saharan Africa (Mauritania), lost in hollows of 5 meters and Vent S of 80 km/h.

Operations

Operation Balista (2006)

Seven units of the National marine representing: 1700 sailors are present on the zone of the Opération Balista to ensure the evacuation of: 4753 nationals at the time of the israélo-Lebanese Conflict of 2006: the frigates Jean of Vienna (D643), then Montcalm (D642) which replaces it, Jean Bart (D615) and Cassard (D614), the TCD Siroco (L9012) without counting three buildings which carry out missions of support for the operation: the BCR VAr (A608) and the Marne (A630), as well as the frigate '' Fayette '' (F710). Put in alarm on July 15th 2006 whereas the Mistral was in building site, its crew was complete the 17 in the morning, and we received on board the surgical antenna with its material and 25 people, including seven doctors and three surgeons , the captain Frederic Jubelin declares. According to the same source, the vast building site makes place with a perfectly operational ship, with the full of one gas oil, with fuel aviation and the vivres for 600 people and 45 days. In parallel, 650 men of the 85 vehicle and Army are embarked, including 5 tanks AMX-10 RC and a score of (Renault Trucks Defense Véhicule of before armoured tank) VAB and of (Panhard General Defense light Armored vehicle) VBL. The device will be supplemented by 4 helicopters Puma and Gazelle . The building installs Toulon 19. The following day, whereas it slips by to 17 nodes, it receives 2 Cougar with broad Crête (Greece) while in addition to the usual, marine exercises and soldiers prepare with the missions which could be to them entrusted by the chief of staff of armies (CEMA). The embarked staff refines the organization of the repatriation of nationals candidates at the beginning, the chiefs of sectors and of sections proceed to multiple meetings of instruction, in particular medical. The Mistral is able on the zone of Baliste operation the 22 to raise the Siroco in its function of command. The 25, of 09:30 to 14:00, the Mistral embarks with Beirut (Lebanon) of the French nationals and foreign and installs with 14:30 for Mersin (Turkey). According to the captain Gilles Humeau, ordering Mistral , the BPC then exceeds all waitings by increasing its capacity of reception of refugees of: 1300 with: 1376 and estimate that : 1500 are still a reasonable number .

Future

Possibilities of export

Settings in front of the 1 LMBO studies of the IBP in 1997 and confirmed at the time of the living room Euronaval 2007, the upgrading capabilities of the class Mistral are single in the world, or at least, more important than those of the Enforcer family of the Dutch arsenals Royal Schelde, which includes/understands modular buildings, LPD of: 8000 and: 13000 tons with the LHD of: 18000 tons. DCNS, giving up the IBP 8 of: 8000 tons definitely little adopted with the operations amphibians, presented a BPC Family including/understanding the BPC 140 of: 13500 tons, 160 of: 16700 and one larger building, the BPC 250 of: 24542 tons and of 214,50 meters, not derived from the project presented to Australia , but makes of it the original version of the BPC which would have been proposed and drawn aside for budgetary reasons by the Ministère of Defense French, according to Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI).

With believing of it DGA, the Deutsche Marine, the Canadian Armed forces, the Swedish royal Navy and Royal Australian Navy would be potential customers of the building. In August 2005, concept BPC of the TEAM DCNS/Australian Defense Industries (since Thalès Australia) is preselected vis-a-vis the future Buque de Proyección Estratégica de Navantia/Tenix to contribute to its Amphibious Ship Program. Although retoqué in June 2007, the Australian BPC had, to believe its promoters of them, of the undeniable advantages a such faster delivery and costs of exploitation reduced thanks to a crew from 42% inferior with that of its competitor. Let us add that at the one decade limit, Marinha C Brasil and, to a lesser extent, Türk Deniz Kuvvtleri, could become “ outsiders of the air and sea power”. These prospective customers explains the stopovers of the Mistral or the Tonnerre of 2006-2007 in their protocolar ports, ceremonies and meets with people of DCNS to the support.

Other competitors seem the South Korea, which launched a programme of great scale of four LHD of: 18000 tons known as LP-X (the Dokdo in service within since July 2007, the Marado , the Baek-Ryong and one 4th, respectively commissioned in 2010, 2012 - 2013 and 2016), which could be proposed at low prices with export. Moreover, on October 22nd 2007, the South Korean one became the principal shareholder of Aker Yards and the owner of the building sites of Saint-Nazaire.

One 3rd BPC for France?

If the BPC 3 and 4 Australian will never be born, various tracks are, or, were studied to ensure the succession of the Jeanne d' Arc , Helicopter carrier school having to be withdrawn of the service in 2010. What signifirait the financing of one 3rd BPC at a low estimated cost between 150 and 200 million euros . However, it is very little probable that this ship left the dry docks whereas the " remain with payer" ambitious law of military programming 2003 - 2008 would be established to 35 billion euros, that is to say the equivalent of more than 3 ½ years of payments. Herve Morin, Minister for Defense declared at the summer 2007 (without awaiting the point of stage of November 2007 concerning new the White paper on defense and the national security, which will be published in March 2008) that the programs envisaged would take us along in the six next years law of programming military [[2009] - 2014, note] to increased investment of approximately 40% what would lead us to an effort higher than 2% of GDP .

Around the ship

History and traditions

Buildings having borne the name of Mistral and Thunder

Two Torpilleur S rapids of the French National marine, in the past, bore the name of Mistral : a building very light brought into service in 1901 the, then another, heaviest which enters in service in 1928 (T63) and acquires a more glorious history while taking part in 1936 in the Guerre of Spain, then from May to July 1940 with the Bataille of France before being requisitioned by the Royal Navy and renamed in HMS Mistral . T63 will be restored under French house in 1945 and will be withdrawn from the active service in 1950.

17th century with today, not less than nine ships of Royal bore the name of Tonnerre , primarily of the sailing ships of small with average tonnage. 19th century at the 20th century, 1st of the six buildings coastguard armoured Type 1872 bears this name, like the barge of unloading Foudre , which takes part in the Guerre of Indo-China and will be renamed Tonnerre a few years before its décommissionnement with half of the Années 1950.

Heraldic

The blazon of the current Mistral , approved by the Staff of the navy on May 23rd 2005, is a circular reason for money “representing in its center a marine genius emerging behind a rock in the middle of the dark floods of azure placed at a peak. Chevelé and matched of gold, vêtu of a cape of mouths beating with the wind, empoignant with dextral a three-pronged fork with the naturalness and appaumée in six-month period of a conch of tenné from where its breath in form escapes from burst range of clear azure. The whole summoned of the inscription in capital letters of dark azure " Mistral" ”. The currency of the building is ( It blows where it wants ), according to the Gospel according to Jean. Its godmother city is Le Havre.

The escutcheon of the Tonnerre is a circular reason representing on indigo bottom a Japanese dragon with three toes with the gilded eyes and fibrisses, overhanging the ship seen of prow beating the floods. The inscription, summoned in capital letters of color but, is surrounded by an of the same rope dyed, which includes the badge of the Foreign legion accompanied by flashes. Limoges is candidate under godmother city after having been that of the TCD Orage . The decision should intervene only after the local elections (known as municipal elections in France) of March 2008.

Culture

a space set of themes itinerant Mistral & Thunder, ships of tomorrow was opened with the public on the network of the National museum of Marineau Palais of Chaillot to Paris (October 13rd, 2004 - May 16th, 2005) then on its sites of the castle of Brest (June 11th - December 15th, 2005) and of the old arsenal of Toulon (February 1st - June 8th, 2006).

Appendices

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