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Foudre class landing platform dock

Foudre class
Foudre
Foudre
Class overview
Name: Foudre class
Operators:
Preceded by: Ouragan class
Succeeded by: Mistral class
Completed: 2
Active: 2
General characteristics
Type: Landing platform dock
Displacement:
  • 11,300 tonnes (standard)
  • 12,000 tonnes (full load)
Length: 168 m (551 ft)
Beam: 23.5 m (77 ft)
Draught: 5.2 m (17 ft)
Installed power: 20,800 hp (15,500 kW)
Propulsion:
  • Engines: 2 SEMT Pielstick 16 PC 2.5 V400 diesels
  • Propellers: 2 adjustable-blade propellers and one beam propeller
  • Auxiliaries: 1 beam propeller (1,000 hp)
  • Electrical plant:5 SACM-Unidiesel diesels alternators
  • Electrical power: 4,250 kW (5 × 850 kW)
Speed: 21 knots (39 km/h)
Range: 20,300 kilometres (10,961 nmi; 12,614 mi) at 15 knots (28 km/h)
Boats & landing
craft carried:
8 landing craft
Capacity: 150-man command headquarters
Troops: 450 (900 for a short cruise)
Complement:
  • 20 officers
  • 80 petty officers
  • 60 Quarter-masters
Armament:
Aircraft carried: 4 helicopters
Aviation facilities: Hangar

The Foudre-class landing platform dock was a class of landing platform docks designed and used by the French Navy. The vessels have operated from 1990 until the present. In 2011 Foudre was sold to the Chilean Navy. Siroco was sold to the Brazilian Navy in 2015.

The Foudre class was designed to load a mechanized regiment aboard and act as its logistical support vessel once in theatre. Each ship of the class displaces 11,300 tonnes at standard load and 12,000 tonnes at full load. The vessels are 168 m (551 ft) long with a beam of 23.5 m (77 ft) and a draught of 5.2 m (17 ft).

The Foudre class carry large stowage areas which can be used to ferry battle tanks and vehicles, a 52-ton elevating platform, a lateral ramp and a flight deck able to simultaneously operate several helicopters. Three rotations of such ships can ferry a whole armoured regiment with its 22 AMX-30 or Leclerc battle tanks, 44 AMX 10 RC heavy armoured cars, 22 véhicules de l'Avant Blindé, 41 all-terrain light vehicles (including 16 MILAN anti-tank missile systems), 54 TRM 4000 trucks, 15 TRM 2000 light trucks, 5 fuel trucks, 2 tug trucks, 6 120 mm mortars, 67 towed containers and one beach carpeting system, overall 3300 tonnes.

The hull is built around a well deck which constitutes three-quarters of the length of the ship, and can accommodate up to eight landing craft. The landing craft can be put to sea by filling ballast tanks and lowering the ship, and opening the rear door.

The aeronautical installations allow all-weather operations of transport helicopters, intended to carry commandos. 4 Super-Puma or 2 Super-Frelon helicopters can be accommodated in the hangar.

The Foudre class is equipped with two SEMT Pielstick 16 PC 2.5 V400 diesels connected to two adjustable-blade propellers and one beam propeller. There is an auxiliary beam propeller (1,000 hp). This gives the ships a speed of 21 knots (39 km/h) and an effective range of 20,300 kilometres (12,614 mi) at 15 knots (28 km/h).


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