naval-forces-focus-french-technology

9Mer et Marine2014-2015 « INTERNATIONAL SHOWS Force projection «LogisticsupportDCNS and STX France have developedthe Brave family of logistic supportships. With an innovative designincorporating all the latest advancesin naval architecture, Brave shipsoffer fuel savings in the order of 15to 20% compared to conventionalplatforms. Adding to the operationalvalue of this new family of supportships, a new concept reduces thetime spent replenishing warships atsea to an absolute minimum. This isimportant, given a ship's vulnerabilitywhile being resupplied with fuel, foodand munitions, or carrying out a crewrotation. With the new replenishmentconcept, replenishment operationsare optimised to support multipleflows or materials simultaneouslywithout causing bottlenecks on boardeither vessel. In addition to four rigsfor replenishment-at-sea operationsand two heavy cargo rigs, the Braveconcept also includes a hangar for twohelicopters, ample space for helicopterrotations and a flight deck that canaccommodate 35t class helos. Whenthe ship is docked, two cranes areavailable to handle containers or stowmissiles for frigates and submarines.The Brave family of double-hulledtankers is available in several sizesfrom 180 to 205m, and has beendesigned to minimise risks. Separatestorage areas for fuels and munitionsare provided, highly secure and locatedaway from the crew areas. Capacitiesrange from 8,000 to 16,000m3 of fuel(in 6 to 9 tanks), 1,500m3 of freshwater (2 tanks), 2,700m² for up to2,000t of cargo and 30 TEU containers,as well as 300t of munitions in 700m²of stowage space divided into 4 holds.Aft, 300m² of workshop space isavailable for equipment repairs andan additional 1,000m² of deck spacefor cargo and vehicles, which areloaded and unloaded via a side door.The design can also include an aftgate close to the waterline for easytransfers of cargo and supplies tolanding craft. Brave ships can also beused to provide logistic support formilitary bases and strongholds as wellas for humanitarian operations in areaswithout port infrastructure. Otherdesign features include a 30 to 60-bedhospital and accommodation for 200(100 crew + 100 passengers).The Brave concept was the basis for astudy contract awarded to DCNS andSTX in 2012 as part of the FLOTLOGprogramme to provide the French Navywith three new logistic support ships.For this programme, a new electricpropulsion version has been proposed,with the diesel generators locatedforward and the electric propulsionmotors located aft. This architectureallows for better separation of civilianand military functions, with the centralsection reserved for liquids and inertcargo and munitions stored aft. It alsoeliminates the funnels over the hangerarea and improves horizontal flows ofdry cargo. «» DISPLACEMENT: 28,000 t» DIMENSIONS (m):180/205 x 28 x 8.7» SPEED: 18 to 20 kts» RANGE: 10,000 NM at 18 kts» ACCOMMODATION:100 (+ 100)» WEAPONS:Remotely controlled gunsAnti-air systems2 helicopters» ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS:Integrated mast© DCNS© DCNS