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FS Cassard (D614)

1988 COLD WAR MODERN NAVY

History

The

Cassard class (Type F70 AA) is a two-person surface fighter crew in service with the modern French Navy today (2018). These ships use the same hull design and general structure as the George Legus-class destroyers, but are equipped for air defense (AA)/airspace denial missions rather than anti-submarine warfare (ASW).

The main difference between the two ships in this class is their weapon and mechanical scheme, and they are still in service at the time of writing (2018).

FS Cassard (D614) is the lead ship of the class, FS Jean Bart (D615) is her only sister. FS Courbet (D616) and D617 (unnamed) have been cancelled.

Named after the 18th century French captain Jacques Casad, the Cassard was laid by the shipyard DCNS S.A. on September 3, 1982 and launched on February 6, 1985. She officially entered service on July 29, 1988.

The Cassard has a displacement of 4,500 tons, an overall length of 456 feet, a beam of 46 feet, and a draft of 20 feet. These ships are considered destroyers in some circles and frigates in others.

Power comes from 4 Pielstick PA6 BTC diesel engines and 4 diesel generator sets, enabling the vessel to reach a speed of 25 knots and a range of 8,000 nautical miles.

There are approximately 244 personnel on board, consisting of officers, non-commissioned officers and soldiers (special forces are also available upon request). The warship is equipped with a variety of systems that help in long-range search, tracking and countermeasures against aerial threats. Armament includes one Mk 13 launcher for 40 SM-1MR anti-aircraft missiles, two Sadrar six-mounted Mistral anti-aircraft missile launchers, 2 x 20mm F2 series anti-aircraft guns and 1 x 100mm/55 cal Mod 68 - Dual purpose deck gun.

For extreme close range work up to 4 x 12.7mm heavy machine guns. The warship is also equipped with 8 x MM40 "Exocet" anti-ship missiles for long-range countermeasures against surface threats, and 2 x torpedo tubes for long-range countermeasures against surface and underwater threats (carries 10 reloads).

The shape of the ship is traditional, with a single tower on the stern fore. The bridge section is just behind and above this area and supports the main mast that is part of the front superstructure.

The stern superstructure carries other related systems and weapons, while at the very aft end of the ship is a helipad for launching and recovering a naval helicopter (usually the AS565 "Panther" is designed to operate at medium lift).

As anti-aircraft destroyers, warships are required to deny critical airspace, often used to defend important strategic waterways, hubs, or major fleets. She participated in Operation Griffin Strike in April 2016, during which the French fleet conducted joint exercises with the British fleet.