FRENCH NAVY (FRANCE)

Project history: The destroyers of the C 70 AA type (re-designated FAA - frigates anti-aeriennes - in June 1988) were intended to replace the four T 47 AAW conversions. Four ships were to have been built, and the third (D616 Courbet) and fourth (unnamed D617) of the class were indeed authorised in 1983. However, the decision by the United States Navy to terminate production of the SM 1 Standard missile in favour of the more advanced SM 2 resulted in their cancellation in the late 1980s.

    Cassard shares a common hull with the Georges Leygues, but the original intention to adopt the same CODOG propulsion system was abandoned at an early stage in the design. The hot exhaust gases from the Olympus turbines were thought to be incompatible with the major electronic arrays required for the air defence role. Propulsive power is provided instead by four SEMT-Pielstick 18 PA fast diesels, which feature double supercharging. Flexible engine mountings have reduced the level of noise emissions as compared with traditional diesel installations.

    Above decks there are few similarities between the two types - a reflection of their very different missions. The superstructures are of lightweight aluminium alloy, close attention being paid to resistance to fire and corrosion. The after part of the Cassard is dominated by the Standard missile system. The Mk 13 single-arm launchers and SPG-51 tracker/illuminators were removed from the escorteurs d'escadre Bouvet and Kersaint, and refurbished. A DRBV-26 provides long-range air surveillance, as in the Georges Leygues, and the ships are fitted with the advanced DRBJ-11B pulse-coded target-designation radar, housed within a distinctive GRP radome amidships. Development of this radar was delayed by technical problems, and a DRBV-15 was installed as a temporary measure on the first ship. The SENIT 6 tactical data system has been developed specifically for this class. It is based on six 15M 125X computers of French design and manufacture, serving twelve display consoles and two horizontal plots.

    The prolonged gestation period for these ships resulted in the design being recast several times. Originally, they were to have had a second 100mm mounting on the quarterdeck. However, this was subsequently replaced by a hangar for a small helicopter, with positions for SADRAL point-defence missile launchers on either side. The Lynx helicopter can be used both for ASW and for anti-ship strike, using AS.15 missiles (later Lynx was replaced by Panther). The SAMAHE 210 helicopter handling system can be adopted to various types of undercarriage, including skids, and features munitions trucks which position missiles, depth charges and torpedoes beneath the helicopter to assist rearming.