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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).
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.
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)
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)
060427-N-5961C-008
Persian Gulf (April 27, 2006) - The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), French nuclear powered surface vessel FS Charles Degall (R-92), Cassard-class destroyer FS Cassard (D-614), guided missile cruiser USS Vicksburg (CG 69), and the guided-missile destroyer USS McCampbell (DDG 85) conduct joint operations in the Persian Gulf during a passing exercise (PASSEX). The U.S. and France are part of the coalition effort currently conducting Maritime Security Operations (MSO) in the region. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Photographer's Mate Spike Call (RELEASED)
090312-N-5758H-046
MEDITERRANEAN SEA (March 12, 2009) The aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), top, the guided-missile cruiser USS Vicksburg (CG 69), center, and the French Navy destroyer Jean Bart (D615) transit the Mediterranean Sea. The Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group is underway for a scheduled deployment supporting the on-going rotation of forward-deployed forces to support maritime security operations and operate in international waters across the globe. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Kenneth R. Hendrix/Released)