French Navy La Fayette and Leygues class Frigates in Exocet Anti-Ship Missile Exercise

: Posted On Sunday, 05 June 2016 11:31

Naval Forces News - France

French Navy La Fayette and Leygues class Frigates in Exocet Anti-Ship Missile Exercise

The French Navy (Marine Nationale) announced that the La Fayette-class frigate Courbet successfully launched two exocet MM40 Block II anti-ship missiles against two surface targets. The exercise was conducted jointly with Georges Leygues-class frigate Jean de Vienne which launched a missile as well.

One of two MM40 block II anti-ship missiles is launched from La Fayette-class frigate Courbet against surface targets. Picture: French Navy

According to the French Navy, the success of this exercise is a great satisfaction for the sailors of both frigates as they successfully overcame the complexity invovled with the coordinated launch of anti-ship missiles between the two vessels.

The French Navy describes the MM40 Block II as an "over the horizon" missile. It is the main ASUW weapon on board the Cassard class (F70AA), Leygues class (F70 ASM), and Lafayette class frigates.

Main specifications of the missile:
Length : 5,20 m
Diameter : 0,35 m
Weight : 735 kg
Warhead : 165 kg
Speed : Mach 1
Range : 70 km

Exocet, in production since 1972, was the West’s first long range anti-ship missile with "fire and forget" and sea-skimming flight capabilities. Since entering service in 1972, 3,600 EXOCET missiles, in all configurations, have been sold to 35 countries.

The MM40 Block II onboard Horizon class destroyers will ultimatly be replaced by the newer Block III version currently under production by MBDA. The Block III features many improvements: It is fitted with a booster and has a significantly extended operational range making it a 200 km class weapon and features open ocean, littoral and coastal land attack capabilities. The new Block III is compatible with Block II launchers.

The La Fayette-class stealth frigate Courbet. Picture: French Navy

The French Navy's La Fayette Class multipurpose stealth frigates were developed and built by DCNS. The French Navy awarded DCNS the contracts to construct the La Fayette (F710), Surcouff (F711) and Courbet (F712) frigates in 1988, and Aconit (F713) and Guepratte (F714) in 1992.

The La Fayette Class incorporates a number of stealth features – the sides of the vessel are sloped at 10° to minimize radar cross section, surfaces are made of alloy, reinforced plastic and kevlar. The profiles of external features have been reduced.

To learn more: Link to Lafayette class Frigate technical datasheet

The Georges Leygues-class ASW frigate Jean de Vienne. Picture: French Navy

The Georges Leygues class anti-submarine destroyers (typed by the French Navy as frégates anti-sous-marines type F 70 ASM or anti-submarine frigates) are primarily designed for anti-submarines warfare (ASW) missions and to provide escort to the French carrier battle group and SSBNs. Vessels of the class received upgrades to their combat systems which increased their self protection against air threats and made them capable warships for anti-surface warfare (ASuW) as well.

Link to Georges Leygues class technical datasheet