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DGA (French Procurement Agency) delivers first L-CAT/EDA-R landing catamaran to French Navy

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World Naval Forces News - France
 
 
 
DGA (French Procurement Agency) delivers first L-CAT/EDA-R landing catamaran to French Navy
 
On November 24, 2011 the Direction Générale de l'Armement (DGA - French Procurement Agency) has taken delivery of the first fast amphibious landing craft (dubbed EDA-R for "engin de débarquement amphibie rapide"). The EDA-R offers five times the landing capacity of existing landing craft currently in service with the French Navy. The EDA-R will be used by the Marine Nationale's Mistral class LHDs.

Signed in June 2009 as part of an economy stimulus plan, the contract includes the acquisition of 4 EDA-R and their operational maintenance until mid-2015. The other three fast amphibious landing craft will be delivered by mid-2012.
     
On November 24, 2011 the Direction Générale de l'Armement (DGA - French Procurement Agency) has taken delivery of the first fast amphibious landing craft (dubbed EDA-R for "engin de débarquement amphibie rapide"). The EDA-R offers five times the landing capacity of existing landing craft currently in service with the French Navy. The EDA-R will be used by the Marine Nationale's Mistral class LHDs.
CNIM's L-CAT, named EDA-R in French Navy service
(picture: CNIM)
     
On November 24, 2011 the Direction Générale de l'Armement (DGA - French Procurement Agency) has taken delivery of the first fast amphibious landing craft (dubbed EDA-R for "engin de débarquement amphibie rapide"). The EDA-R offers five times the landing capacity of existing landing craft currently in service with the French Navy. The EDA-R will be used by the Marine Nationale's Mistral class LHDs.
EDA-R
(picture: French Navy)
     
Based on a unique concept (L-CAT for Landing Catamaran) patented by the CNIM company (Constructions industrielles de la méditerranée) the EDA-R is a fast catamaran while in "transit mode" which can turn into a flat-bottomed vessel (for beaching and getting into larger vessels well-decks) thanks to a platform lift station. Each Mistral class LHD can hold two EDA-R in its well deck.
     
On November 24, 2011 the Direction Générale de l'Armement (DGA - French Procurement Agency) has taken delivery of the first fast amphibious landing craft (dubbed EDA-R for "engin de débarquement amphibie rapide"). The EDA-R offers five times the landing capacity of existing landing craft currently in service with the French Navy. The EDA-R will be used by the Marine Nationale's Mistral class LHDs.
The L-CAT variable draft system explained
(picture: CNIM)
     
Designed to land troops and military vehicles from an over-the-horizon amphibious vessel (30 nautical miles/55 km), the EDA-R can be used for humanitarian operations in areas lacking port infrastructures. With a length of 30 meters and a width of 12 meters, the EDA-R has a payload of 80 tons with a speed of 18 knots fully loaded and 30 knots when empty. Its doors at the front and rear simplify the loading and unloading of vehicles.
     
On November 24, 2011 the Direction Générale de l'Armement (DGA - French Procurement Agency) has taken delivery of the first fast amphibious landing craft (dubbed EDA-R for "engin de débarquement amphibie rapide"). The EDA-R offers five times the landing capacity of existing landing craft currently in service with the French Navy. The EDA-R will be used by the Marine Nationale's Mistral class LHDs.
Artist impression of an EDA-R loaded with VAB armored vehicles
(picture: French Navy)
     
The hull is built in Saint Malo by the SOCARENAM shipyard , subcontractor of CNIM (the prime contractor). The craft is then finalized at Boulogne-sur-Mer. The workload generated by the construction of four landing craft is about 400 000 hours and accounts for over one hundred jobs for 3 years. In addition to CNIM and SOCARENAM, many French companies and SMEs are involved in the EDA-R program.
     

L-CAT unofficial video