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Mistral
Bâtiments de Projection et de Commandement (BPC)
Force Projection and Command Ships
Nouveaux Transports de Chalands de Débarquement (NTCD)
New Landing-Craft Transport

Mistral and Tonnerre are all-electric ships with a length overall of 199m and displacement of 21,300 tons. These ships are designated Les Bâtiments de Projection et de Commandement (BPC) -- Force Projection and Command Ships, and were previously designated Nouveaux Transports de Chalands de Débarquement (NTCD) - New Landing-Craft Transports. The BPC concept combines a landing helicopter dock, a floating hospital, an amphibious assault ship, troop transport and a command vessel in a single platform. The two BPCs will be the first naval vessels built that will be propelled by a pair of podded propulsors of the type that have become widely used on commercial vessels. They have a crew of 160, plus 450 troops, endurance of 45 days, and maximum range of 11,000nm at 15 knots.

The Mistral is the first vessel of a new BPC force projection and command type developed by DCNS for the French Navy. The Mistral combines payload capacity and versatility. It can carry up to 16 heavy helicopters and one-third of a mechanized regiment, plus two LCAC hovercraft or forr LCM landing craft. A high-performance communications suite makes the Mistral ideal as a command vessel. The 750-sq.m hospital features two operating theatres and offers 69 beds. If additional hospital/medevac space is required, the hangar can be converted into a modular field hospital.

The two 21,000 ton Nouveaux Transports de Chalands de Débarquement (NTCD -- New Landing-Craft Transport / New Transport Barges of Unloading) are designed to control an amphibious operation within the framework of NATO projection operations. Their systems of communication are thus very powerful. They possess an exceptional capacity of carrying of men and hardware. The living spaces is more developed than in highly armed military ships.

France had a amphibian fleet made up of 2 Transports de Chalands de Débarquement (TCD or LPD according to the Anglo-Saxon terminology) of the Ouragan class of 8,000 tons, and 2 TCD of the Foudre class of 12,000 tons. In 1990 and 1998 respectively the French Navy commissioned the two 9,000 tons dock landing ships Foudre and Siroco. The two TCD Ouragan and Orage, which entered in service in 1965 and 1968, needed to be replaced in 2004 and 2006 at the latest. The increasing importance taken by the aeromobility in the operations and search of a complementarity with the existing TCD Foudre and Siroco resulted in being directed towards amphibious buildings of a new type where the helicopter carrier is an option. This capacity associated with an exceptional versatility to cover a broad spectrum of missions, brings closer the NTCD to the American ships of the LHD category. The comparison with the American ship, with twice the displacement and built according to military standards, stops there. The NTCD, for budgetary reasons, will be manufactured with the civil standards, just like the Dutch LPD Rotterdam (TCD) or the British LPH Ocean. An inscription of the NTCD to the register of Veritas Bureau was required.

Design

The operational need was defined during work of the preparatory stage and the stage of design of the program, in coherence with the new concept of use of the forces and the new national Concept of the amphibian operations (CNOA). The principal missions reserved for the NTCD are varied: to take part in the execution of operations amphibians in accordance with the CNOA. The national Concept of the amphibian operations, adopted by the head of staff of the armies in June 1997, envisages projection by a fleet amphibian of the first level of a force interarmées on a lightly held hostile coast. This level, or embarked Grouping interarmées (GIE), represents about 1,400 men and nearly 280 vehicles. With this unit are added a detachment of 20 helicopters, elements of the support health and, in the case of a national operation, the staff of the amphibious commander of the force (CATF). Within this framework, each NTCD must be able to project 450 men and the associated hardware including 60 vehicles.

There are amphibian operations lighter than the preceding ones and related to specific missions of the time of crisis (humanitarian or evacuation of nationals, for example). This type of limited operation is carried out starting from a NTCD embarking about sixty equipped commandos, or a company of infantry in adapted configuration, with 3 to 6 helicopters. To accomodate a headquarters of embarked operative level (known as PC NOE), the NTCD must be able to accomodate such a PC, which forms reduced of a theater PC, having to lead an operation of limited scope. A PC NOE includes approximately 150 people and requires on board a surface of about 800 m² to take part in the execution of an aéromobile operation starting from the sea, for an evacuation of nationals or a raid. This mission requires starting from the NTCD of helicopters of the type NH-90 and Tiger. To carry out an operational transport by sea, i.e. to project operational units (for example, a Leclerc squadron), preserves the ability of these units to be engaged in an operational mission as of their unloading. Other types of missions are of course possible, because of the versatility offered by the capacities of the ships.

With a tonnage of about 20,000 tons with full load, the NTCD have a maximum speed of 19 knots and have a crew with 160 men. They are able to embark 450 men and 60 vehicles. They are equipped with a continuous flight deck with 6 spots for NH90 and Tiger helicopters, and with a capacity to store 10 to 16 helicopters in a hangar. They are able to embark 4 barges of unloading or 2 American air cushion vehicles. The choice carried out is consistent with the national concept of the operations amphibians which gives the priority to the aeromobility of the troops transported thanks to helicopters. Vertical takeoff aircraft do not enter this concept. At the time of an amphibian operation, aerial cover and fire support are ensured by the planes embarked aboard an aircraft carrier. In the event of absence of the "Charles of Gaulle" this support would be provided, within the framework of a European operation, by allied aircraft carriers. A significant effort is in particular made on the transmission resources and the command and information systems for the needs for a interarmées PC of theatre and interallied of 150 workstations installed on board, extensible by addition of modules (shelters), supporting interworking with French allies.

Significant design evolution occurred compared to the TCD Siroco. The installations of setting the amphibious machines, the helicopters and the vehicles consist of a hangar for vehicles, a hangar for helicopters and two lifting platforms. The various hangars are served by one or two lifting platforms (1 for the hangar vehicles, 2 for the hangar helicopters). The access of the vehicles is carried out by a side carry-slope and a carry-slope foundation raft. The organization of the whole of the platform was the subject of studies where the architectural choices privilege the optimization of flows (vehicles, helicopters, personnel, casualties, food and ammunition) and take account of the needs increased for interworking (US hovercrafts LCAC, allied helicopters of which Super Stallion, convertible aircraft - with swinging rotors - V22 Osprey).

The versatility offered by the design allows the use of the building in various versions according to missions: mixed version (450 passengers / 60 vehicles / 6 helicopters), version building helicopter carrier (possible carrying to 16 helicopters), version transport (more than 230 vehicles), version building of command. The system of combat with which will be equipped the NTCD will make it possible to provide the functions of control of the operations, self-defence, command, internal and external communications to the building, and the functions transverse: navigation, network of the wind. The telecommunications part will be particularly developed, taking into account the requirements in a number of simultaneous connections and in flow imposed by the missions of command (PC NOE, PC ATF/LF (1)). This system will integrate a whole of capacities HF, VHF, UHF, SHF and the tactical data links, and will offer communications interior and external with services with strong added value (phone, data, images).

The NTCD have a tonnage about half that of Charles-de-Gaulle, that is to say over 20,000 tons. Each construction is half again larger than the previous TCD [Foudre and Sirocco]. This new type of construction was conceived to satisfy criteria of precisely defined projection, with the possibility of supporting a poste de commandement interarmée de théâtre (PCIAT) of 250 to 300 men. Moreover, one of the two NTCD will have to replace the Jeanne of Arc in her function of training ship. One of the principal characteristics of the NTCD is the very significant increase in the capacities of helicopter intervention, thanks to a possibility of supporting Army or Air Force forces: up to 20 helicopters of the Cougar types or Tiger or 10 to 12 NH-90 can be supported.

The length of the bridge and the number of landing spots confers on the NTCD aspects of a mini aircraft carrier. In the current state of their design, It was not envisaged to retain a capacity of supporting fixed-wing aircraft such as the Harrier [which equip three European navies with which the NTCD could be called to take part in common operations].

The NTCD also have an embarked hospital similar to that of the TCD Foudre with increase in possible capacity by the loading (in the hangar helicopters) of modular technical equipment (ETM) of the Health service of the Armies. Concerning the life on board, the function hotel trade of the building is based on the concept of modular cabins with integrated medical blocks, for the crew as for the passengers, for 1, 2, 4 or 6 people according to the ranks. This capacity makes it possible the NTCD to be adapted to all the contexts of operational use, to fulfill the requirements of feminization and professionnalisation of the armies and to guarantee a better evolutionarity. Interior installations will make it possible to gather the buildings life of the passengers who will have a rate/rhythm of life in conformity with their activities and not to that of the crew. The function restoration, established on a same bridge, is organized around a central single kitchen which serves several dining rooms mixed between the crew of the edge and the embarked passengers.

Maneuverability is a significant aspect of nautical qualities of any vessel. With ships having the mission to move by small amounts near the ground at the time of the loading or re-embarkation maneuvres, maneuver capacities at low speed are essential. These capacities, with the assistance of an engine at the stem, will be also very useful at the time of the maneuvers in port and at quay without external help. This is what resulted in choosing a propulsion by Pod (drive propulsion) and an architecture of an all electric ship (NTE), with the whole of the energy requirements being ensured by the same diesels alternators. The absence of apparatus to be controlled notably simplifies general architecture and the propelling apparatus, and brings a great flexibility. This flexibility is made to improve the conditions of maintenance of the compartments. In parallel, it results in a reduction from the number of the types of equipment and generators and, consequently, reduction of logistics and maintenance, as well as an improvement of the availability, thanks in particular to the reliability of the electric installations. The optimization of the number and the power of each diesel alternators makes it possible to limit the phenomena of clogging. The slight initial additional cost of acquisition related to concept NTE should quickly be offset by the reduction in the maintenance costs.

Lastly, to answer the voluntary policy of the French Navy in the field of the maritime environmental protection, the NTCD are "clean" ships, i.e. that they will not reject any waste with the sea.

Construction Program

Named Mistral and Tonnerre [Thunder], the two NTCD were to enter in service into 2004 and 2005, to replace the TCD Ouragan et Orage.

Acquisition by the national Navy of two NTCD take part in the reinforcement of the French and European capacities in several fields, thanks to the versatility of these ships: amphibian action, helicopter transport of personnel and freight, and means of command (headquarters of multinational forces). This acquisition concretizes, in the field of maritime strategic transport, the commitment entered into by France at the time of the Conference of engagement of capacities of 20 November 1999. It falls under the dynamics of the declaration of intent of the Ministers for the Defense of Spain, of Italy, of the Netherlands, of the United Kingdom and France, concerning the European amphibian initiative.

The launching of the last phase of the NTCD program was decided in the 2000 budget, and was confirmed in the 2001 budget by the funding of 1,79 billion francs in authorizations program and 842 million francs in payment appropriations. The contract was notified on 22 December 2000 for a total amount of 3,5 billion francs. The beginning of work of the first ship was envisaged the second six-month period 2001. DCN is Master Constructor of the NTCD, whose realization will be done in co-operation with the Chantiers de l'Atlantique (realization of the front part) and with Thales (for the system of combat). This partnership makes it possible to have a competitive product meeting the needs for the Navy national and likely to take a lead in the international market. DCN was retained to ensure the control of work of the design and the construction of the two ships. The Chantiers de l'Atlantique of the Alstom group will take part in their construction, in particular for the hull and front cabin. In spite of a workload particularly provided because of many commands of large cruising ships, this civil building site guaranteed that it could keep to these commitments for this program.

The Minister for Defense, Alain Richard, announced on 07 December 2000, at the time of the presentation to the Senate of the bill of finances for year 2001, that the General Delegation for Armament (DGA) and DCN concluded an agreement from an amount of 3,5 billion francs (530 million euros) on the conditions realization program NTCD. He indicated that the corresponding contract will come into effect the current of December 2000.

These two ships were to be delivered in 2004 and 2005 at the moment of the withdrawal of "l'Ouragan" and "l'Orage". The times of setting up the work of the design and construction appeared relatively short. Design/need optimization and innovative engineering solutions cut construction times and reduced costs by some 30% compared with the earlier Foudre and Sirocco generations.

In October 2004, Mistral, the first of two 'BPC' force projection and command vessels for the French Navy, was launched at DCN's shipyard in Brest. Then began the fitting out before proceeding, ahead of schedule, to trials and testing, and to delivery, later in 2005. In parallel with these activities, construction of Tonnerre, the second ship in the class, progressed rapidly towards its scheduled delivery in 2006. The contract for the construction of Mistral was awarded to prime contractor DCN, working in partnership with Alstom Marine-Chantiers de l'Atlantique and Thales. The aft sections of the two BPCs are the responsibility of DCN's shipyard at Brest, whereas the forward sections, which make extensive use of commercial standards, are the responsibility of Alstom Marine-Chantiers de l'Atlantique's Saint-Nazaire shipyard.

On 27 February 2006, DCN presented the Mistral, the first of two BPC-type force projection and command vessels on order, to French defence procurement agency DGA, the contract principal, for acceptance and subsequent handover to the French Navy. On 7 February 2006, the Mistral sailed from Brest on France's Atlantic coast for Toulon on the Mediterranean where it arrived seven days later for additional testing and fine-tuning of onboard equipment, particularly the combat system, prior to its presentation to the DGA for acceptance.

On 01 March 2007 French defence procurement agency DGA took delivery of BPC-type force projection and command vessel Tonnerre built by naval defence group DCN. This important milestone wwould be followed by formal handover to the French Navy. Delivery to the DGA was previously scheduled to take place in May 2006. On 14 February 2007, BPC Tonnerre left Brest for Toulon where the combat system would undergo a final series of tests. The ship was ready and all tests completed on schedule when nonconformities attributed to Chantiers de l'Atlantique (CAT) and its subcontractors were discovered in the accommodation area floors. The repairs resulted in a significant delay. Formal delivery meant that ownership of the Tonnerre has been transferred to the DGA prior to handover to the French Navy.

Between 10 and 13 May 2007, defence procurement agency DGA and the French Navy assisted by DCNS successfully completed an interoperability test campaign off the coast of Norfolk, Virginia, involving BPC-type force projection and command vessel Tonnerre and US Navy assets. The tests resulted in the official qualification of BPC-type vessles for operations involving LCAC-type air-cushion landing craft and MH 53E Super Stallion heavylift helicopters, specifically LCAC launch and recovery using the well deck* and MH 53E landing and take-off using flight deck spot n°1.

The tests enabled DCNS to demonstrate the performance of the system it developed to cool LCAC exhaust gases (at up to several hundred degrees Celsius) in the well deck. Joint measurements by French and American engineers confirmed that the cooling system performed precisely as predicted, with the ship suffering no damage whatsoever.

As BPC prime contractor, DCNS has demonstrated its capacity to design and build ships accommodating all types of equipment. The LCAC requirements had a major impact on BPC architecture and subsystems. This capacity to meet a wide range of force projection needs is arousing strong interest in countries from Australia and South Africa to Brazil, Canada and Malaysia.