Cassard-class frigate

Jean Bart
Class overview
NameCassard class
BuildersDCNS S.A.
Operators Marine Nationale
Succeeded byAquitaine class (air-defence variant)
Built1982–1991
In service1988–2021
Completed2
Retired2
General characteristics
TypeFrigate
Displacement4,500 tons, 5,000 full load
Length139 m (456 ft 0 in)
Beam14 m (45 ft 11 in)
Draught6.5 m (21 ft 4 in)
Propulsion
Speed29.5 knots (54.6 km/h; 33.9 mph)
Range8,000 nmi (15,000 km; 9,200 mi) at 17 kn (31 km/h; 20 mph)
Complement250
Sensors and
processing systems
  • Thomson-CSF ARBR 17B radar warning
  • DIBV 1A Vampir
  • Thomson-CSF DRBJ 11B air search radar
  • Thales SMART-S MK2 (replacing DRBJ 11B)
  • Thomson-CSF DRBV 26C
  • 2 × Racal DRBN 34A navigational radar
  • Thomson-CSF DRBC 33A fire control for guns
  • 2 × Raytheon SPG-51C fire control for missiles
  • Thomson Sintra DUBA 25A sonar
  • SENIT 68 combat data system
  • Syracuse 2 SATCOM
  • OPSMER command support system
Electronic warfare
& decoys
Thomson-CSF ARBB-33 jammer
Armament
Aircraft carried1 × Eurocopter AS 565 Panther anti-submarine helicopter

The Cassard class (Type F70 AA) was a class of two anti-air warfare destroyers of the French Navy introduced in the latter 1980s/early 1990s. The class was an air defence variant of the Georges Leygues class. The two classes have a different armament and propulsion system mounted on an identical hull.[1] Their primary role was to provide air cover for a fleet, an aeronaval group, a convoy & a littoral point. Their secondary role was to manage air assets coordination & aircraft control for the force, especially through Link 16.They can also be used for research, identification or presence missions. Both ships were assigned to the Force d'Action Navale.[2] The lead ship of the class, Cassard, was retired in 2019 followed by the retirement of Jean Bart in 2021.

The experience gained during the design and construction of the Cassard type was used for the design of the La Fayette class.

  1. ^ Miller, David; Miller, Chris (1986). Modern Naval Combat. USA: Salamandar Books. pp. 100–101. ISBN 0-517-61350-6.
  2. ^ Gardiner and Chumbly, p. 115