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| The BPC Mistral, head of a new class of French-designed LHDs, appears as a real success for DCNS, the vessel's conceptor who hopes to export the BPC to several countries. Although as large as a US San Antonio class LPD (LPD-17) the Mistral class ship costs almost four times less while being capable of storing as many helicopters. © P. Fournier/DGA |
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France's BPC Tonnerre
returns from a successful
US test campaign
By Jean-Michel Guhl
in Paris, France
From May 10 to 13, 2007, off the coast of Norfolk in Virginia, the French Navy under the supervision of the DGA, the French procurement agency, teaming with DCNS, performed a successful sea test campaign of the BPC (LHD) Tonnerre along with US Navy units.
The BPC was thus validated for joint operations with US armed forces, the ship's dock being capable of accomodating the large US Navy Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) and her deck landing spot #1 the heavy MH-53 E Super Stallion helicopter. Two LCACs can be stored in a Mistral-class vessels when a Spanish BPE can only hold one, for example. Concerns about the hot exhaust gases produced by the LCAC in the rear dock have now been lifted, since DCNS designed a specific cooling systems which vents out all effluents safely. As a proof of concept, no skin or structural damage at all was noticed during the LCAC operations on-board.
So far, in less than a year, the two French BPCs have demonstrated a true potential for interoperability, both during joint amphibious operations as well as while the Lebanon crisis with Israel went on last summer.The Mistral and Tonnerre amphibious assault ships were designed and built by French shipbuilder DCNS (formerly DCN). Mistral has been in operational service with the French Navy since March
2006 and Tonnerre has just recently entered operational service in 2007. The two ships are replacing the old and much smaller TCD (LPD) Ouragan and Orage built in the sixties and which are earmarked for sustainable demolition next year after a transfert deal with Argentina was curtailed on account of a critical asbestos issue. With a standard crew of 160/180 sailors, the 199 meter-long Mistral Class LHDs accommodate a command centre and troops for
an autonomous naval force especially an inter-navy or allied coalition
force. It can carry up to 20 helicopters and two hovercraft or four
medium sized landing craft, has a flight deck capable of accommodating
up to 10 helicopters with six of them operating simultaneously. It can embark the equipment, troops and helicopters required for
amphibious deployment aimed at land targets as well as surveillance,
communication and support. It can also land and support a completely
mechanised armoured regiment and provide logistics and medical support. The floating hospital comprises operating theatres, x-ray rooms and
more than 60 beds. Hangar space can be converted to provide additional
hospital capacity if required.
Although certainly not conceived to receive and operate VTOL jets, the Mistral-class helicopter-carriers can, in case of dire emergency, allow a Harrier or AV-8B type jet to land for safe recovery on her deck., thus preserving a pilot's life along with his precious aircraft.
While in the USA, US Navy and US Marine Corps personnel invited on-board the Tonnerre pointed out a few of the BPC's good design points, in comparison with the new LPD-17 (San Antonio) class of vessels now entering service with the US Navy. First of all, the BPC is much cheaper, much more comfortable and user friendly than the LPD-17s. With large corridors and staircases which make movement of heaviliy equipped soldiers less of a hurdle, capable of housing as much hardware and helicopters and with a minimal crew it is “what the US-military should have had for the sake of the US-tax payer's hard earned buck" a USMC major mentioned bluntly after a day of intense discovery of the Tonnerre (Thunder, in French). Displacement of the two types of vessel is about the same, around 22,000 tons.
After leaving Virginia, the Tonnerre his now heading for Brazil. Foreign interest for the BPC is strong today, with the naval components of Australia, Brazil, Canada, Malaysia and South Africa being among potential buyers of this new type of multipurpose vessel. [Paris - 05-26-2007]
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| A US Navy MH-53E Sea Stallion heavy helicopter seen landing on the BPC (LHD) Tonnerre off the coast of Virginia in May 2007. The ship's LS (landing spot) #1 can receive helicopters in the 15-ton class © DGA |
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| A US Navy LCAC air cushion landing vehicle is seen about to enter the hold of the BPC Tonnerre near Norfolk, Virginia © DGA |
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| The BPC Tonnerre in action with USN hovercraft off the coast of Virginia in May 2007 © DGA |
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| Two LCACs can fit into the dock of a BPC-class ship, when most other foreign projects (like the Navantia LHD) can only accomodate one. © F. Vrignaud/DGA |
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