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French Navy Missile Range Instrumentation Ship Monge (A601) Operational Following Major Refit

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Naval Forces News - France
 
 
 
French Navy Missile Range Instrumentation Ship Monge (A601) Operational Following Major Refit
 
The Missile Range Insrumentation Ship Monge (A601) is back in the Marine Nationale (French Navy) fleet following a major refit started in May. Missile Range Instrumentation Ships are fitted with antennas and electronics to support the launching and tracking of missiles and rockets.
     
The Missile Range Insrumentation Ship Monge (A601) is back in the Marine Nationale (French Navy) fleet following a major refit started in May. Missile Range Instrumentation Ships are fitted with antennas and electronics to support the launching and tracking of missiles and rockets.
The Monge in dry dock for major refit. French Navy picture
     

In addition to the installation of a new kitchen, the Monge refit was use to:
- replace the entine satellite communication (SATCOM) system. The Monge is now compatible with "Syracuse III", the latest standard of French military secure SATCOM system;
- conduct the maintenance of diesel alternators and propulsion engines;
- conduct the maintenance of various pumps and compressors.

     
The Missile Range Insrumentation Ship Monge (A601) is back in the Marine Nationale (French Navy) fleet following a major refit started in May. Missile Range Instrumentation Ships are fitted with antennas and electronics to support the launching and tracking of missiles and rockets.
The Monge is seen testing its LIDAR system. French Navy picture
     
This major refit was also used to test the on-board LIDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) system. It can fire six laser beams vertically that characterizes the air density, temperature and humidity up to 100 km in altitude.

As planned, the Monge was released from the dry dock on July 27. It then started trails at sea to test the new propulsion and Syracuse III SATCOM system.

The Monge is the largest vessel (in length) in the French Navy fleet following aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle. was laid down in March 1990, launched in October 1990 and commissionned with the French Navy in November 1992. It is used to test and analyse various missile systems (including the new SLBM M51) in conjonction with the French procurement agency (DGA). While its primary mission remains missile test monitoring, the Monge may participate in other missions such as monitoring a space rocket launches or satellite tracking. It may also participate in the monitoring and protection of maritime approaches or support training of maritime forces.
     
The Missile Range Insrumentation Ship Monge (A601) is back in the Marine Nationale (French Navy) fleet following a major refit started in May. Missile Range Instrumentation Ships are fitted with antennas and electronics to support the launching and tracking of missiles and rockets.
The Monge out of dry dock for sea trials. French Navy picture