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Naval Forces News - France
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French Navy Mistral-class LHD Tonnerre Taking Part in Disaster Relief Ops Following Hurricanes
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Following the recent hurricanes Irma, José and Maria which impacted several of the French territories in the Carribbeans, the French Navy (Marine Nationale) Mistral-class LHD Tonnerre and its EDAR/L-CAT landing catamaran were sent to St Martin island to participate in disaster relief operations and provide humanitarian assistance.
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 Tonnerre LHD and EDAR landing craft deploying disaster relief equipment and personnel in St Martin. French Navy picture. |
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The Tonnerre LHD deployed with four helicopters on board (including 1x Puma and 2x NH90) as well as French Army combat engineer personnel and their heavy equipment.
Aboard the LHD were 300 Army presonnels (in addition to the crew of 220 sailors) and over 1000 tons of equipment including around 100 vehicles and pieces of equipment. The LHD may act as a floating hospital as well, with a capacity of 70 beds. |
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French Armed Forces video
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As most port facilities got destroyed by the hurricanes, the French Navy is using its EDAR (LCAT or Landing Catamaran) to bring personnel and heavy equipment ashore.
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 EDAR landing craft deploying disaster relief equipment and personnel in St Martin. French Navy picture. |
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Tonnerre is the second of three Mistral-class LHD of the French Navy. It was launched in July 2005 and commissioned in December 2006. Designed by Naval Group, Mistral BPC (Bâtiment de Projection et de Commandment) LHD is a multi-mission 21,500t amphibious assault, command and power projection ship. Mistral-class vessels are capable to accommodate and deploy 16 transport or attack helicopters, four landing crafts, up to 70 vehicles or 13 main battle tanks. They have accommodations for 450 to 700 troops.
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 EDAR landing craft deploying disaster relief equipment and personnel in St Martin. French Navy picture. |
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Design by CNIM, the L-CAT Ship-to-Shore (designated EDA-R in the French Navy) is a sea & combat proven landing craft. It is in active service since 2011 in the French Navy and since 2016 in the Egyptian Navy. It proves each day its ability to support the Armed Forces on a global scale for both military and civilian assistance operations.
Measuring 30 meters long and 12.6 meters wide, the L-CAT Ship-to-Shore offers a maximum payload capacity of 100 tons. It can reach speeds of up to 30 knots when empty, and 18 knots when loaded to maximum payload. During amphibious operations, it guarantees optimal transit speed, rapid loading and unloading of the deck, and thus a reduction of threat exposure time, while enabling a mother ship to remain a safe distance from the coastline if necessary. |
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