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Cassard class guided-missile destroyers DDG Type F70 AA Anti-Aircraft Frigate AAW Frégate Antiaérienne Cassard D614 Jean Bart D615 RIM-66E SM-1MR Block VI SMART-S-Mk2 Marine Nationale French Navy DCNS datasheet pictures photos video specifications

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Cassard class guided-missile destroyers (DDG)
(Also known as Type F70 AA, Anti-Aircraft Frigates, Frégate Antiaériennes Cassard & Jean Bart)
 
 
 
The Cassard class guided-missile destroyers (typed by French Navy as frégates antiaériennes type F 70 AA or anti-aircraft frigates) are intended to participate in anti-aircraft operations, escort of capital ships (such as aircraft carriers or large amphibious vessels) as well as air and sea control. Both vessels of the class are homeported in Toulon naval base and are part of the Force d'Action Navale (Naval Action Force).
 
Description

The Cassard class guided-missile destroyers (typed by French Navy as frégates antiaériennes type F 70 AA or anti-aircraft frigates) are intended to participate in anti-aircraft operations, escort of capital ships (such as aircraft carriers or large amphibious vessels) as well as air and sea control. Both vessels of the class are homeported in Toulon naval base and are part of the Force d'Action Navale (Naval Action Force).

Cassard and Jean Bart were set to be decomissioned in 2020 and 2022 respectively and replaced by two FREDA air defence frigates (FREMM frigates in a dedicated air warfare version). However with growing financial constraints, it is likely that both vessels will remain in service longer than expected. A French Navy source who wished to remain anonymous told Navy Recognition that the French MOD would likely upgrade the Cassard class rather than procure two new frigates to replace them. Such upgrade work has already started with the original DRBJ-11B 3-D air search radar being replaced on Jean Bart by the much more advanced and capable SMART-S-Mk2 3D multi-beam air and surface radar in April 2012. The same upgrade will be conducted on the head of class circa 2012-2013.

However the French Navy will be confronted with another problem if it chooses to keep operating the Cassard class post 2020: The SM-1 missiles. The U.S. Navy announced at the International STANDARD Missile Users Group (ISMUG) meeting in 2012 that support for SM-1 will end in 2020. They have urged all SM-1 users around the world to begin planning on replacing SM-1 aboard the ships they plan to keep past 2020. A solution would be to replace the SM-1 with SM-2 Block IIIA missiles. According the Raytheon, in order to safely fire SM-2 missiles, the MK 13 GMLS would need two ordnance alterations (ORDALTs) performed. Both of these ORDALTs are minor in nature. There is no need to change the launcher or raise the platform. The fire control radars (SPG-51, STIR 180, STIR 240) usually do not need to be upgraded or replaced, but the CWI Transmitters require upgrading. There will be some additional hardware and software required to initialize, launch, and control SM-2 missiles as well as minor changes to the combat management system to account for the much larger intercept envelope SM-2 has when compared to SM-1.
 
Shiplist
Name
Hull Number
Laid Down
Commissioned
Cassard
D614
09/1982
07/1988
Jean Bart
D615
03/1986
09/1991
A third and fourth unit were authorized in 1983 but were canceled in 1984.
Variants
- Georges Leygues class (Type F70 ASM): Anti-submarine variant off which Cassard class is based. The two classes have a different armament and propulsion system fitted in an almost identical hull.
Technical Data
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Design
There are 16 watertight bulkheads to the hull, the sides of which were strengthened to reduce cracking during 2002 through the addition of a doubling plate near the upper deck. Aluminum superstructure. Fin stabilizers are fitted. Have an NBC warfare protection citadel system. A SAMAHE-10 (Système Automatique de Manutention des Hélicoptères Embarqués) deck traversing system is fitted for the helicopter. From 2002, both ships of the class were fitted with hull strengthening strakes at the upper deck level, adding 1 meter to the beam; the modifications added 120 tons of structural steel and required adding 210 tons of permanent ballast.
Weapons
  • Anti-air missiles:
    1x Mk 13 SAM launcher (40x RIM-66E SM-1MR Block VI missiles)*
    2x 6-round Sadral short range SAM system (39x Mistral missiles)
  • Anti-ship missiles:
    8x Exocet MM40 Block2
  • Guns:
    1x Creusot-Loire Compact 100mm/55 Mod 68 DP gun (main gun)
    2x 20mm F2 70-cal. Oerlikon anti-aircraft guns
    4x 12.7 mm M2-HB Browning machine guns
  • ASW:
    2x fixed torpedo launchers (10x L5 mod 4 torpedoes)
Sensors, Electronics and Decoys
  • Combat Management and Information Systems:
    DCNS SENIT 6/8
    SEAO/OPSMER combat decision-making system
    Electronic aids to navigation: Tacan, AN/SRN-6
  • Optronics:
    1x Sagem DIBV-2A VAMPIR infra-red alert system
    1x Sagem DIBC-1A PIRANA III command, surveillance and fire control system
    1x Najir Mk3 electro-optical fire control system (Sagem EOMS NG on Cassard)
  • Radars:
    1x Thales SMART-S-Mk2 3D multi-beam air and surface radar*
    2x Racal-Decca DRBN-34A (RM 1229) navigation and landing radars
    1x DRBV-26C early warning radar
    2x Raytheon SPG-51C missile illumination radars
    1x DRBC-33A fire control radar
  • Sonars:
    1x DUBA-25 A hull sonar (Cassard) or DUBA-25 C (Jean Bart)
    1x NUBS-8A echo sounder & Sound Velocity Profiler
    1x TUUM-2D underwater telephone
    1x U/RDT-1A torpedo detection system (Jean Bart only)
  • Decoys/Counter measures/Jammers:
    2x Matra Défense SAGAIE decoy launchers
    2x Matra Défense DAGAIE decoy launchers
    1x SLQ-25 Nixie towed acoustic torpedo decoy system
    2x ARBB 33 Salamandre jammers
    1x Thomson-CSF ARBR 17B, radar warning/detector
    1x ARBG-1A Saigon radio interceptor
  • Communications:
    Link 11
    Link 14
    Satellite links: Inmarsat, SYRACUSE 3-A/3-B
*Installed in 04/2012 on Jean Bart to replace the older DRBJ-11B 3-D air search radar. Will be installed on Cassard as well.
Engines/Propulsion
4x diesel SEMT Pielstick 18 PA 6 V 280 BTC (43,200 bhp - 31.760 kW)
2x 5-bladed propellers
4x Jeumont-Schneider diesel alternators (850-kw)
 
Specifications
Type
Guided-Missile Destroyer (DDG)
Crew
25 Officers, 154 petty officers , 71 junior ranks
Operators
French Navy
Performance
Speed: 30 kts
Range: 8,000 nm @ 17 kts
Endurance: 30 days
Displacement
5,000 tonnes (full)
Propulsion
4x diesel SEMT Pielstick (43,200 bhp)
Aircraft
1x AS.565M Panther
Dimensions
Length: 139 m
Bream: 15 m
Maximum Draft: 6.5 m
Detailed View
The Cassard class guided-missile destroyers (typed by French Navy as frégates antiaériennes type F 70 AA or anti-aircraft frigates) are intended to participate in anti-aircraft operations, escort of capital ships (such as aircraft carriers or large amphibious vessels) as well as air and sea control. Both vessels of the class are homeported in Toulon naval base and are part of the Force d'Action Navale (Naval Action Force).
The Cassard class guided-missile destroyers (typed by French Navy as frégates antiaériennes type F 70 AA or anti-aircraft frigates) are intended to participate in anti-aircraft operations, escort of capital ships (such as aircraft carriers or large amphibious vessels) as well as air and sea control. Both vessels of the class are homeported in Toulon naval base and are part of the Force d'Action Navale (Naval Action Force).
The Cassard class guided-missile destroyers (typed by French Navy as frégates antiaériennes type F 70 AA or anti-aircraft frigates) are intended to participate in anti-aircraft operations, escort of capital ships (such as aircraft carriers or large amphibious vessels) as well as air and sea control. Both vessels of the class are homeported in Toulon naval base and are part of the Force d'Action Navale (Naval Action Force).
The Cassard class guided-missile destroyers (typed by French Navy as frégates antiaériennes type F 70 AA or anti-aircraft frigates) are intended to participate in anti-aircraft operations, escort of capital ships (such as aircraft carriers or large amphibious vessels) as well as air and sea control. Both vessels of the class are homeported in Toulon naval base and are part of the Force d'Action Navale (Naval Action Force).
The Cassard class guided-missile destroyers (typed by French Navy as frégates antiaériennes type F 70 AA or anti-aircraft frigates) are intended to participate in anti-aircraft operations, escort of capital ships (such as aircraft carriers or large amphibious vessels) as well as air and sea control. Both vessels of the class are homeported in Toulon naval base and are part of the Force d'Action Navale (Naval Action Force).
 
Pictures - Video
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