FS Forbin (D620)

History

Multi-role frigates are gaining popularity among the world's major naval adversaries, equipped with a wide variety of weapons to deal with nearly all maritime threats. Historically, frigates have been assigned different dimensions and roles within a given navy, although the requirements for maritime mobility and speed have generally been consistent. The frigates of the modern navy are therefore tasked with protecting other surface ships in the fleet, while having aircraft launch facilities and anti-submarine measures at their disposal.

As a result, frigates can operate as part of the main fleet or independently as needed. Many current Navy frigates have evolved into "missile frigates" because they are primarily missile-oriented, abolishing the once-dominant gun-and-torpedo-only approach that was so common in WWII and before.

The French Navy has adopted the four-person Horizon-class frigate as an "air defense" frigate to replace its soon-to-be-retired Suffren-class frigate. The Horizon class was originally intended to include about eight ships, although four were eventually abandoned.

The first ship was commissioned in 2007, at which time (2013) all four ships remained in service. It is worth noting that only two Horizon-class ships are actually in service with the French Navy, while the remaining two operate under the command of the Italian Navy. Therefore, the FS Horizon does not represent the leading ships of the class, which is typical naval practice.

Overall, this class is represented by FS Forbin (D620) and FS Chevalier Paul (D621) in France and Andrea Doria (D553) and Caio Duilio (D554) in Italy.

FS Forbin and her class were originally born out of a tripartite agreement between France, Italy and the United Kingdom. In 1992, the agreement for a new, state-of-the-art guided missile frigate was formalized, with the main contractors being France's DCN, Italy's Orizzonte and the UK's GEC-Marconi. Development issues quickly arose, and three-party requests delayed official final specifications.

The Brits preferred US naval doctrine, weapons support and deep sea capabilities, while the French and Italians mostly agreed on short-range ships using proven European systems. This eventually led to the withdrawal of British interest in the program in 1999, with the Royal Navy eventually adopting the locally developed Type 45 destroyer.

Undeterred, the French and Italians moved on, each eventually commissioning two Horizon-class ships.

FS Forbin was ordered on 27 October 2000, built by DCN Lorient on 4 April 2002, launched on 10 March 2005 and officially commissioned on 12 December 2008. Her home port is in Toulon, southeast of Toulon, France, with access to the important Mediterranean Sea. All in all, she displaces 7,770 tons, has a barrel length of 501 feet, a beam of 66 feet 7 inches, and a draft of 17 feet 9 inches. The Forbin is equipped with a CODAG (Combined Diesel and Gas) propulsion system, which arranges 2 GE LM2500 gas turbines producing 31,280 hp and 2 SEMT Pielstick 12 PA6 STC diesel engines producing 5,875 hp through the use of reduction gears.

This configuration drives 2 four-bladed propellers at the stern (plus an additional single propeller at the beam), making modern surface boats much more efficient than traditional gasoline or diesel offerings. The maximum straight-line speed of the FS Forbin is about 30 knots, while the cruising speed with the diesel engine can only reach 18 knots. The range is about 13,000 kilometers.

The Forbin had a crew of 174, including officers and soldiers.

As a guided missile frigate, Forbin is equipped with a mainly missile-based weapons package. 1 x PAAMS (Principle Air Defense Missile System) is installed as a vertical launch missile block embedded in the surface deck. The system is capable of firing 48 x Aster 15/30 anti-aircraft missiles at incoming air targets such as aircraft and cruise missiles.

1 x Sadral launcher (6 x Mistral anti-aircraft missiles) mounted above the rear-facing hangar door of the helicopter. To counter surface warships, Forbin will receive 8 x Exocet MM40 Block 3 anti-ship missiles.

The submarine is threatened by Forbin's 2 x MU90 torpedo tubes, and close-range defense is handled by 2 x 76mm OTO Breda deck guns and 2 x 20mm F2-type guns.

Forbin's section consists of a well-structured forecastle leading to the upper level. A pair of deck guns were mounted on turrets at the front of the superstructure. The bridge (identifiable by its large viewing window) is located above the turret.

An enclosed mast sits aft of the bridge and houses the available processing, tracking, communications and sensor systems. A large radome completes the enclosure. The main mast is set amidships. There are two low closed funnels, one next to the main mast and the other just aft amidships. There is a full service hangar to complete the layout as well as side mounted boat launches for fast interception of ships.

A flight deck is attached to the stern to support the launch and recovery of up to one medium lift helicopter, typically an NH90 series transport helicopter from NHIndustries. Sensors, tracking and processing systems include the S-1850 LRR 3D Alert Radar System, ABF TUS 4110 CL Hull Sonar Array, Linear Tow Antenna, PAAMS EMPAR Multifunction G-Band Radar Suite and NGDS Countermeasures Suite.

In keeping with other modern "stealth" initiatives on naval ships, the Forbin has rarely used the handrails and cracks that have been so common in shipbuilding for decades. Instead, many faceted surfaces are employed to provide smaller radar features. In addition, all vertical structures are closed and the pipe is compact. The only striking railing is on the aft helideck.

All outlet openings are also latticed with special covers.

Following some delays in sea trials, Forbin officially embarked on her maiden voyage in 2009, visiting international partners in North American and North African ports before returning to France. She then took part in a coalition operation focused on Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan before planning a second return home. Out to sea again in October 2010, she supported the operation of the French fleet, led by Air de Gaulle, in and around the Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf regions.

She participated in active anti-piracy operations near Somalia and again supported military operations related to Afghanistan.

FS Forbin has been in service with the French fleet since August 2013.

Specification

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