FS Jeanne d Arc (R97)

FS Joan of Arc (R97) History

When the French Navy needed a state-of-the-art aircraft carrier during the turbulent Cold War years, it chose a conventionally powered helicopter carrier as the FS Jeanne d'Arc (R97). The ship was laid in 1959 and officially launched in 1961. In 1964 it was officially commissioned by the French Navy. Although Joan of Arc is an aircraft carrier in the general sense, it is a true helicopter carrier whose wings consist only of rotorcraft. Their airborne facilities support up to ten different types of helicopters, depending on mission requirements.

Joan of Arc served and trained as a helicopter carrier until her final retirement on September 1, 2010. At sea, Joan of Arc earned the nickname "La Jeanne" and worked in Brest on the northwest coast of France. Today (2014) the decommissioned ship awaits its fate - likely to be scrapped.

The original Jeanne d'Arc (R97) was named "La Resolue" because the original 1930s cruiser FS Jeane d'Arc is still in service with the French Navy. However, the original ship was decommissioned in time in 1964 and the new ship took its name. Joan of Arc (R97) is the only boat in her class.

When built, Joan of Arc displaces 10,575 tons under standard load and 12,365 tons under full load. She has a length of 597 feet, a beam of 79 feet, and a draft of 25 feet. The drive is conventional and produces an output of 40,000 hp on 2 shafts through the use of two geared steam turbines.

This arrangement allows for a maximum sea speed of 28 knots and a range of up to 7,500 nautical miles. Her crew consisted of 627 men, including 31 officers.

She has a variety of sensors and systems deployed along the mainmast, including air/ground search radar, sonar, fire control systems and navigation gear. Her defense kit is spearheaded by 6 Exocet-38 series anti-ship missile launchers (three launchers in two rows) and 2 x 100mm automatic cannons (these cannons were eventually removed in 2000).

Close range defense is provided by heavy 4 x 12.7mm machine guns.

The key quality of this (and all) helicopter carrier is the flight deck - 203.4 feet wide - designed to handle multiple helicopters at once (depending on size). The hangar facility is located below the flight deck and can be used for full-service work, and the stern lift provides the necessary access.

Storage space also allows the ship to carry a range of ammunition options for her helicopter fleet.

Since Joan of Arc only had to serve helicopters, the general layout was very different from other aircraft carriers of the time. Her design gained an aft flight deck with a smaller aft deck section. The platform extends forward to about midship. This bridge is placed high on the only superstructure, which itself is mounted just forward amidships, with a smoke funnel aft.

Her defensive armament was concentrated on the lower deck in front of the bridge superstructure. The automatic cannons are located in separate turrets spanning both sides of the bridge superstructure, the Flying Fish missile launchers are located in two outward-facing units, and the three launchers are located directly forward and in the middle.

Throughout her career, Joan of Arc has held training, support and combat roles. In peacetime, she's an officer candidate's school, but always retains the ability to prepare for war service - primarily in support of amphibious operations, where her helicopter launch skills can be put to good use. In addition, her interior space allows the ship to support up to 700 infantrymen before those troops land on shore via air or landing craft (LCVP).

When equipped with an anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopter type, the carrier can also be called upon to hunt down enemy submarines via sonar and torpedoes.

Joan of Arc (R97)'s last cruise was in 2009 and her tenure ended completely in 2010.

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