FS Auvergne (D654) is the product of the FREMM multi-purpose frigate program between the French and Italian navies. The fifth of the French batch - named the Aquitane-class after lead ship Aquitane (D650), FS Auvergne was laid down in 2012 by builder DCNS (Lorient), launched in September of 2015, and formally commissioned into French Navy service in February of 2018. Currently homeporting out of Toulon, the vessel will shift to Brest in 2022.
The FREMM program originally intended to see France receive 17 total vessels - though, due to budget constraints, this was later reduced to the 8 currently in service with the French Navy. The French batch is a mix of six anti-submarine forms along with a pair of air-defense models.
The 6,000 ton warship is of all-modern design, showcasing the least amount of structural protrusions as possible and while displaying clean lines with an eye towards stealth. The turreted deck gun along with Vertical Launch Systems (VLSs) takes up the forecastle and the bridge section towers just aft. The main mast is at midships and is of an enclosed design, followed by the enclosed low-profile smoke funnels. The hangar section then leads out to the unobstructed helipad over the stern.
Dimensions include a running length of 466 feet, a beam of 65 feet, and a draught down to 16 feet. Power is through an MTU Series 4000 turbine arrangement designed around the CODLOG concept (COmbined Diesel-eLectric-Or-Gas) to maximize fuel efficiency at cruising and high speeds. Maximum speed in ideal conditions can reach 27 knots while ranging out to 6,000 nautical miles. Cruising is typically done at 15 knots for maximum reach.
The warship carries a crew complement of approximately 145 personnel and is outfitted with the Herakles multi-purpose Passive, Electronically-Scanned Array (PESA) radar, the CAPTAS-4 towed sonar array, and the UMS 4110 CL series hull-mounted sonar array.
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November 2021 - FS Auvergne has been sent to the Eastern Mediterranean as a show of French strength in the theater. The warship will remain on-station until January 2022.
Offshore Bombardment
Offshore bombardment / attack of surface targets / areas primarily through onboard ballistic weaponry.
Land-Attack
Offshore strike of surface targets primarily through onboard missile / rocket weaponry.
Maritime Patrol
Active patroling of vital waterways and maritime areas; can also serve as local deterrence against airborne and seaborne threats.
Airspace Denial / Deterrence
Neutralization or deterrence of airborne elements through onboard ballistic of missile weaponry.
Fleet Support
Serving in support (either firepower or material) of the main surface fleet in Blue Water environments.
SHALLOW DRAUGHT
Vessel's hull design is such that it can operate in close-to-shore / shallow water environments.
ANTI-AIRCRAFT
Onboard systems alert and protect the vessel from airborne, low-flying airborne threats through ballistic and / or missile weaponry.
OVER-THE-HORIZON
An Over-the-Horizon operational capability is granted to the vessel, typically through launched fixed-wing / rotary-wing aircraft.
MISSILE ARMAMENT
The vessel supports the launching of missiles against airborne, waterborne, or land-based targets at range; typical of modern designs.
TORPEDOES
Ability to launch torpedoes against ocean-going targets.
466.0 feet (142.04 meters) Length
65.0 feet (19.81 meters) Beam
16.0 feet (4.88 meters) Draught
6,000 tons Displacement
COmbined Diesel-eLectric-Or-Gas (CODLOG): MTU Series 4000 turbines driving 2 x Shafts astern. Propulsion
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