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Thales and CNN launch Dupuy de Lôme signals intelligence vessel

30 June 2005

DGA (Defence Procurement Agency) awarded the contract to build and outfit the Dupuy de Lôme to the Thales and CNN (Compagnie Nationale de Navigation) partnership in late December 2001. The contract comprises a firm part for vessel construction and a conditional part for maintenance and operational support during the first five years. CNN undertook to build the platform; Thales to install all shipboard electronic systems.

CNN, a private Normandy-based shipbuilder, subcontracted platform construction to Dutch shipyard Royal Niestern Sander (RNS) and construction follow-up and pre-delivery project management to MN (Compagnie Maritime Nantaise), a CNN subsidiary.

France's DRM (Directorate of Military Intelligence) will use the Dupuy de Lôme for strategic intelligence, including communications interception and radar monitoring. The ship will be crewed and operated by the French Navy and will undertake long-term missions in all waters.

The launching of the Dupuy de Lôme on 27 March marks a major milestone of a demanding programme. Thanks to a team effort by all partners, the tasks leading up to this event were completed on schedule in just 40 months. Note that the maintenance and support contract calls for a vessel availability of at least 350 days per year.

Following handover by RNS to CNN, the vessel will sail to a French port for payload integration by Thales. The outfitted vessel is scheduled for delivery in April 2005.

The MINREM programme confirms the positions of CNN and MN as providers of shipbuilding and shipyard facilities and services while strengthening that of Thales as one of the French Navy's leading partners.

Technical data

The Dupuy de Lôme is designed to merchant marine standards. The hull and stabilisation system are especially designed to ensure optimal working conditions.

Main Particulars

Length overall (LOA): 102.40 m
Length between perpendiculars: 95.376 m
Moulded breadth (MLB): 15.85 m
Height of main deck: 7.70 m
Summer deadweight (approx.): 843 tons
Summer draught: 4.91 m
Propulsion: MAK diesels, 2 x 2,970 kW
Electric propulsion: Caterpillar diesels, 2 x 360 kW, driving alternators, 2 x 1.15 kW
Transit speed: 16 knots
Tankage: Ballast: 356 m3 - Fresh water: 135 m3 - Fuel: 702 m3

Class: Bureau Veritas 1 + hull + machinery
Special service (research vessel)
IMO A534 - AUT-UMS, AUT-CCS, AUT-PORT, SYS-NEQ, SYS-IBS, COM F3, REFSTORE, ALP, MON HULL, CLEAN AIR, STAR-HULL
Flag: French

In addition to a relatively small crew, the Dupuy de Lôme will carry almost 80 intelligence officers.

The MINREM payload features a complex array of antennas for signal and radar intelligence, direction finding, and communications interception in the HF and VHF bands, as well as eavesdropping satellite communications.

About CNN
Compagnie Nationale de Navigation (CNN) SA specialises in the land-based transportation of petroleum products (terminals, tank farms, pipelines, etc.), helicopter services for off-shore platforms, maritime transportation, and shipbuilding and shipyard services.