Science Fair Project Encyclopedia
Floreal class frigate
| Career | 
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|---|---|
| Displacement: | 2600 tonnes (2950 tonnes full load) |
| Length: | 93,50 metres |
| Width: | 14 metres |
| Draught: | 4,40 metres |
| Propulsion: | Engines : 4 diesel SEMT Pielstick 6PA6 L280 Auxiliaries : 1 Ulstein 200 kW beam propulsor |
| Speed: | 20 knots |
| Range: | 10000 nautical miles at 15 knots (13000 at 12 knots) |
| Complement: | 11 officers 36 non-commissioned officers |
| Armament: | 2 Exocet MM38 missiles 1 x 100 mm CADAM turret with Najir fire control system |
| Electronics: | Radar:
Navigation
Electronic Warfare
|
| Planes | 1 Panther helicopter |
The Floréal type is a class of light "sentry frigates" designed for the needs of the French Navy after the end of the Cold War, ordered in 1989. They use construction standards of commercial ships. The ships are named after months of the Republican Calendar.
| Contents |
Definition of the requirements
After the end of the Cold War, it was felt that the risks of a large-scale military confrontation had all but disappeared. The Marine Nationale had to face new missions, while its escort avisos from the 80s were aging, and also badly adapted to low-risk zones.
The concept of "sentry frigate" emerged from the will of the French government to protect its Exclusive Economic Zone (12 millions of km2), as defined in the Montego Bay treaties. Another need was to address matters of humanitarian aid, diplomacy, or naval law enforcement. To address these missions, an onboard helicopter is clearly the optimal solution, provide versatile, swift and long-range capabilities to deliver support, ferry or rescue.
These constraints defined the need for a ship which would be small; extremely stable to allow use of a heavy helicopter in all weather; small crew, while retaining capacities to accommodate navy commandoes; light armament; economic and long-range propulsion system.
Construction
To make the ship more economical, civilian construction methods were used, at the Chantiers de l'Atlantique in Saint Nazaire. The ship use the SOLAS (Safety Of Life At Sea) rules, imposing 11 watertight compartments through the hull. The rules of the "Veritas" office are used for energy production and safety. The ships are build in series, with six pre-fabricated parts, weighting up to 570 tonnes, begin carried and soldered at the dry dock (the cosntruction method was later used for the La Fayette class). The first trials at sea were done in 1991 with a fully civilian crew, the Marine Nationale being only present as observer.
Equipment
The armament was ordered from the DCN Lorient, a traditional naval provider for the French Navy. The Floréal class, though designed to operate in low-risk areas, do carry their own armament (they are not dependant on their helicopter).
The most visible piece of armament is the standard 100mm multipurpose gun turret, which is a feature of most modern French warships. It is installed in one block, with the magasine shelter and the targeting computer. All Floreal frigates are fitted with two Exocet missile launchers, a Dagaie decoy launcher system, two 20mm Mod F2 cannons, as well as a complete range of detection and counter-measure electronics.
The helicopter is a naval Panther, carrying no armament itself.
Ships in the class
 Frigate Germinal in Cherbourg |
 Frigate Floréal, stationned in Bora-Bora lagoon |
 The frigate Prairial leaving Papeete for a long mission in South America |
 Frigate Ventôse |
 Frigate Vendémiaire in Papeete harbour |
 Frigate Vendémiaire manoeuvering in Papeete harbour |
 Frigate Vendémiaire manoeuvering in Papeete harbour |
 Frigate Vendémiaire manoeuvering in Papeete harbour |
 Frigate Vendémiaire manoeuvering in Papeete harbour |
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