Aviation Naval Warfare Land Systems Small Arms Space By Flag By Year By Tag

FS Surcouf (F711)

1997 MODERN NAVY

History

The Lafayette class is a series of surface warships used by the navies of France, Saudi Arabia, Singapore and Taiwan - a group of about twenty ships in total. Classified as "multi-mission" frigates, the ships are capable of conducting various naval operations as needed - either independently or as part of a larger force.

In today's use, frigates engage in anti-submarine warfare and add defensive capabilities to other ships in the fleet while participating in task forces.

The Lafayette class operated by the French Navy includes the Surcouf (F711), a warship launched on 6 July 1992 at the Lorient Naval Shipyard and launched on 3 July 1993. She officially entered service on February 7. In 1997, and named after the French private captain Robert Surcouf (1773-1827). Displacement of nearly 4,000 tonnes at full load, the vessel is equipped with a state-of-the-art, fast-handling suite of digital aids to provide the crew with the best possible response in any situation the vessel encounters.

It carries advanced air search radar, radio and radar interception equipment, digital fire control system (FCS) and navigation radar. Twin Dagaie Mk 2 chaff launchers protect against incoming missile threats, and a "prairie masker" component is used for noise reduction.

The extra gear makes the Surcouf a harder target against chasing submarines. Her typical crew size is 140, including 12 officers.

Due to her multi-mission-centric approach to design, Surcouf is equipped with a variety of weapons to suit the needs of the battlefield. The first is 8 x Exocet (MM40 Block II) anti-ship missile launchers for countering surface threats. The main deck gun and turret is a 100mm TR autocannon with an unobstructed view of the bow - ideal for combating surface threats from a distance or engaging in inshore bombing raids in amphibious assaults. 2 x 20mm Modele F2 conventional guns for short to medium range defense.

The Crotale CN2 launcher is equipped with an aircraft/missile counter and can use 8 ready missiles in addition to 16 waiting to reload.

On the exterior, Surcouf and her class of engineers opted for a thoroughly modern warship look, eliminating the railing lines common on warships from centuries ago. Instead, the world's navies have adopted a board-side approach, keeping protruding structural details to a minimum, helping to minimise the ship's radar signature - presenting a very clean design form. The main mast then becomes a closed sky-high structure, and the pipes are no longer visible. The forecastle manages a 100mm deck gun, and the bridge is connected to the main structure.

Small boat launchers are mounted on the sides of the boat to support rapid attack and interception forces and special operations operations. Above the stern is a helicopter launch and recovery deck with attached maintenance hangars - the hangars can service a single medium helicopter or similar.

The helicopter can be a transport or anti-submarine (ASW)/anti-ship version to further expand the Surcouf's tactical use.

The vessel is powered by 4 SEMT Pielstick 12PA6V280 conventional diesel engines producing 21,000 hp. This enables the vessel to reach speeds of 25 knots and a range of 7,000 nautical miles.

Surkuf entered service at the end of the last century and has an active record in naval service, including supporting several UN-related operations, such as in Kosovo during the Balkan Wars. The ship has been used several times to rescue people on damaged or sunken vessels, saving lives in the process. Surcouf was also fired by the French government to take part in a joint multinational initiative to promote better responses to emerging threats - work involving the British and US navies. In late 2012, she was deployed near Somalia to deter the pirate threat, fighting against British Navy Lynx helicopters and British personnel, as part of a mission to help the world's two military powers, even amid growing global threats and shrinking defenses.

Make the budget tighter.

There are five ships in the La Fayette class, including La Fayette (F710), Surcouf (F711), Courbet (F712), Aconit (F713) and Guepratte (F714). The French Navy's WWII deep-sea submarine - FS Surcouf NN3 - also brought the Surcouf name to the battlefield.