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fighting ships of the world

FRENCH NAVY (FRANCE)

TORPEDO SHIPS

TOURVILLE missile destroyers (1974 - 1977)

Tourville 1975

Tourville 2000

Name No Yard No Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
Tourville D610   Arsenal de Lorient 6.4.1970 13.12.1972 14.6.1975 decommissioned 11.2011, stricken 12.2012
Duguay-Trouin D611   Arsenal de Lorient 25.2.1971 1.6.1973 17.9.1975 decommissioned 7.1999, stricken 8.2014
De Grasse D612   Arsenal de Lorient 25.7.1972 30.11.1974 1.10.1977 decommissioned 9.2013, stricken 9.2014

 

Displacement standard, t

4650

Displacement full, t

5885

Length, m

142.0 pp 152.8 oa

Breadth, m

15.8 deck 15.3 wl

Draught, m

5.70 hull 6.60 propellers

No of shafts

2

Machinery

2 sets Rateau geared steam turbines, 4 boilers

Power, h. p.

54400

Max speed, kts

32

Fuel, t

oil

Endurance, nm(kts) 4500(18)

Armament

D610, 611: 6 x 1 MM38 Exocet SSM (6 MM38), 1 x 1 Malafon ASuM (13 Malafon), 3 x 1 - 100/55 Mod 1968, 2 - 550 KD-59E torpedo catapults (10 L5), 2 helicopters (Lynx)

D612: 6 x 1 MM38 Exocet SSM (6 MM38), 1 x 1 Malafon ASuM (13 Malafon), 2 x 1 - 100/55 Mod 1968, 2 - 550 KD-59E torpedo catapults (10 L5), 2 helicopters (Lynx)

Electronic equipment

DRBV-26A, DRBV-50, DRBC-32D, DRBC-32, 2x DRBN-32 radars, DUBV-23, DUBV-43 VDS sonars, 2x Syllex decoy RL, SENIT-3 CCS

Complement

282

Project history: Essentially an enlargement of the C 65 design, the F 67 incorporated from the outset a double hangar capable of accommodating two Lynx ASW helicopters, and MM38 Exocet SSMs. There was also a doubling-up of installed horsepower and the ships reverted to a conventional two-half machinery installation.

    As originally conceived Tourville was to have received the same sensor outfit as Aconit. However, while the new ships were under construction it was decided to fit the new DRBV26 air surveillance radar, and replace the complex DRBV13 with a DRBV51B (initially DRBV50) target designation radar. A new lightweight variant of the DRBC32 fire control radar was fitted. The ships retained the SENIT 3 tactical data system trialled in Aconit.

    Tourville and Duguay-Trouin were completed with a third 100mm mounting atop the hangar, but it was decided at an early stage to replace this by a Crotale point-defence SAM system. De Grasse was completed with only the two forward guns in place. These were the first French ships of destroyer size designed from the outset to carry helicopters. The large double hangar was served by a SPHEX traverse system, and in the centre of the helicopter deck there was a grille for use with the Harpoon securing device. Two pairs of non-retractable stabilizers were fitted.

    De Grasse incorporated a number of Improvements over the earlier ships, including superior habitability. Her boilers were modified to edible her to burn distillate fuel, and this modification has since been extended to her two sisters.

Modernizations: 1979, Duguay-Trouin; 1980, Tourville: - 1 x 1 - 100/55, DRBV-50 radar; + 1 x 8 Crotale SAM (26 Crotale), 2 x 1 - 20/70 Mk 10 Mod. 23, DRBV-51B radar, ARBR-16, ARBB-32 ECM suites

1981, De Grasse: - DRBV-50 radar; + 1 x 8 Crotale SAM (26 Crotale), 2 x 1 - 20/70 Mk 10 Mod. 23, 4 x 1 - 12.7/90, DRBV-51B radar

1986, Tourville; 1990, Duguay-Trouin, De Grasse: + DSBV-62C towed sonar array

1990, all: - 1 x 8 Crotale SAM; + 1 x 8 Crotale EDIR SAM (24 Crotale EDIR)

1995, Tourville; 1996, De Grasse: - 1 x 1 Malafon ASuM, DUBV-43, DSBV-62C sonars; + DIBV-1A Vampir E/O surveillance suite, DSBX-1 SLASM VDS sonar, SLQ-25 Nixie towed torpedo decoy

Naval service: No significant events.

Duguay-Trouin 1980

De Grasse 2002

© Ivan Gogin, 2016