naval-forces-focus-french-technology

» Corvettes & OPVsMer et Marine38INTERNATIONAL SHOWS » 2014-2015Hornet/1300 FICSince a fleet of 15 vesselswas delivered to the IndianNavy in 2011 and 2012,Couach’s 1300 FIC fast interventioncraft has attracted a lot of attention andgenerated strong interest from a numberof naval forces. The boats supplied toIndia are designed to perform intensivesurveillance and protection missions inIndian waters, particularly around majorports like Mumbai, where they play a keyrole in protecting the naval base, the vastharbour area, and the port facilities.Powered by two 800-HP MAN R6-800diesels, giving them a top speed inexcess of 50kts, the interceptors, fromCouach’s Plascoa range, offer excellentmanoeuvrability and seakeeping thanksto a deep-V hull made from a Kevlar,fibreglass and carbon fibre compositematerial. These tough boats also featurebulletproof glazing and an armourprotectedsuperstructure made fromTwaron aramid fibre. An automatic12.7mm machine gun can be mounted onthe bow, and two 7.62mm cannons on thestern. Couach also offers a slightly largermodel, 15m in length, equipped with a» DIMENSIONS (m): 13 x 3.8 x 0.9» POWER: 1,176 kW» SPEED: > 50 ktssemi-rigid inflatable and a 20mm remotelyoperated machine gun.The Plascoa range of interceptors,designed for protection of maritimeapproaches and strategic assets, is alsoavailable in an “open” version, with noclosed wheelhouse. Initially developed asa superyacht, the first vessel of this type,the Hornet, is also proving a great hit withmilitary customers. A number of foreigndelegations have already tested the newboat. Couach reports that they were veryimpressed by the feeling of safety andstability during simulated high-speedpursuit manoeuvres under rough seaconditions, and all agreed that attackerswould find it difficult to escape the Hornetonce they had been spotted.Built using the same hull materials andengines as the 1300 FIC, with Rollapropellers and Arneson articulated surfacedrive systems, the Hornet is optimised forspeed and designed to take interceptioncapabilities to a whole new level. Slightlylighter than the 1300 FIC, it boasts a topspeed of 52kts, and can be armed with12.7mm and 7.62mm machine guns. «» RANGE: nc» ACCOMMODATION: 5» WEAPONS: 1 x 12.7 mm - 2 x 7.62 mm© COUACH © COUACH