naval-forces-focus-french-technology

25Mer et Marine2014-2015 « INTERNATIONAL SHOWS Corvettes & OPVs «MPV 80» DISPLACEMENT: 2,200 t» DIMENSIONS (M):79.5 x 13.8» SPEED: 21 kts» RANGE: 7,700 NM at 14,5 kts© KERSHIP © KERSHIPThe MPV 80 is Kership’s response tothe need for a robust multipurposepatrol vessel able to perform a widerange of civil and military roles in acountry’s Exclusive Economic Zone.A development of the MOPV 80,unveiled by Piriou in 2012, the MPV80 can be used for anti-piracy andtrafficking interdiction, environmentalprotection and humanitarian missions.It offers an extended endurance ofthree weeks without replenishmentB2Mand an impressive logistics handlingcapability, with a large open deckand 5t, 12m crane. It also has adedicated space with capacity forsix 20-foot containers, which canbe reconfigured to accommodate avariety of modules, such as oil spillresponse or containerised hospitalinstallations. Like the OPV 90 and OPV75, the MPV 80 has a panoramic bridgewith integrated mast, and featuresthe Polaris combat managementsystem and advanced surveillanceand intelligence capabilities. Its flightdeck can deploy a 10t helicopter andmultiple UAVs, which are stored in adedicated hangar.The MPV 80 has a steel hull andaluminium superstructure and candeploy two 7m RHIBs on davits and anadditional 11m craft, such as a largesemi-rigid inflatable for special forces,or a landing craft. «» ACCOMMODATION: 50 (+ 20)» WEAPONS:1 x 40 mm - 2 x 12.7mmUAVs» ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS:Integrated mast (2D radar)In late 2015, the FrenchNavy will take deliveryof the first three B2Mmultimission vessels ordered fromPiriou and DCNS in December 2013.Designed to perform surveillance andprotection operations across France’svast maritime zones in the Indian andPacific Oceans and in the Caribbean,the B2M could achieve a range of upto 9,000 miles thanks to additional fueltanks and offers an at-sea enduranceof 30 days and at-sea availability of250 days per year. The ships are builtto commercial shipbuilding standardsand share many design featureswith support vessels working in theoffshore industry, which are knownfor their robustness, endurance andversatility. The B2M vessels will carryout a wide range of naval sovereigntymissions, including search & rescue,fisheries surveillance, interdictionof illegal trafficking, and preventionof illegal exploitation of deep oceanresources. They will also providelogistics support for local maritimeauthorities as well as armed forcesbased in overseas territories. Theability to launch and retrieve 9m metreÉcume RHIBs enables makes the B2Msuitable for deploying special forcesand combat dive teams, as well asprojecting military or police units andtheir hardware and munitions into atheatre of operations. The B2M vesselsoffer the impressive payload capacityrequired for this range of operations,with storage space for six 20-foot(TEU) containers, one earth mover, andtwo 4x4 vehicles. An 8m landing craft –handled via an on-board crane capableof lifting a 12t load to a height of 14m– can also be accommodated on board.In addition, the B2M can be used onhumanitarian assistance missions todeliver equipment, cargo, food andmedical supplies, or to ferry medicalteams into disaster zones. The shipsare also equipped for firefightingoperations, with an array of watercannons, pollution control missions,and offer ocean towing capabilitythanks to a 30t tow winch. «» DISPLACEMENT: 2,300 t» DIMENSIONS (M): 65 x 14» SPEED: 13 kts» RANGE: 5,000 NM at 12 kts» ACCOMMODATION: 20 (+ 20)» WEAPONS: 2 x 12.7mm