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Naval
Forces News - France |
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Certification
Campaign for H225M Caracal CSAR Helicopter Aboard FREMM Frigate Aquitaine |
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The
French Air Force (Armée de l'Air) started qualification trials
of the Airbus Helicopters H225M
Caracal Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) with the latest addition
to the French Navy (Marine Nationale) fleet: the head of FREMM
Frigate class Aquitaine delivered in November 2012
by DCNS. |
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French Air Force H225M Caracal CSAR helicopter conducting qualification
trials with FREMM Frigate Aquitaine, first ship of the class.
(Note that the Narwhal RWS have finally been fitted) Picture: French Navy |
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The
Caracal, belonging to escadron d'hélicoptères 1/67 Pyrénées
(belonging to the air force but with a joint component because the unit
has army and navy personnel too), specializing in CSAR and special operation
support missions conducted several landings and take offs from the Aquitaine
frigate. The certification is an important step because it confirms that the helicopter can operate safely with the FREMM frigate. It is used to validate procedures between the crews. Once the certification completed, Caracals will be able to land on any FREMM Frigate of the French Navy for various tasks: replenishment at sea, transfer of personnel, search and rescue and even special operations (as the FREMM have the accommodation for special forces personnel). |
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French Air Force H225M Caracal CSAR helicopter conducting qualification
trials with FREMM Frigate Aquitaine, first ship of the class.
Picture: French Navy |
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It
is not the first time that the Caracal operate from a French Navy vessel
however. The French Air Force CSAR helicopter regularly deploys on board
the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle or on one of the three Mistral
class LHDs during active deployments. Some H225M customers intend to use the Caracal for maritime roles. It is the case of the Brazilian Navy. Poland is also in the process of procuring the Caracal and some of them will be used for ASW missions, deployed on board surface combatants and will be specifically fitted with a folding tail and rotors. The French Navy will use the NH90 NFH from its Aquitaine class Frigates for maritime security, ASW and SAR missions... and down the road for ASUW missions with the new ANL missile. |
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 Special
Forces board a French Air Force Caracal helicopter on board aircraft carrier
Charles de Gaulle. © Marine Nationale - MANZANO Axel |
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French Air Force Caracal helicopter in the hangar bay of aircraft carrier
Charles de Gaulle.© B.Gaudry - Marine Nationale |
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June 2014 picture showing an NH90 NFH Maritime Helicopter of the
French Navy on board former FREMM Frigate Normandie. The vessel
was transfered to the Egyptian Navy in June and re-nammed Tahya Misr
(Long Live Egypt). |
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