In their aircraft
carrier role the MISTRAL and TONNERRE BPCs can
accommodate all the standard helicopters operated by
the French Armed Forces (including the NH-90 NFH and
Tigre), or allied helicopters (including the EH 101
Merlin, the Super Stallion and Osprey V22). The
flight deck therefore extends the full length of the
ship and two lifts are provided to raise the
aircraft from the hangar located under the flight
deck. The BPCs can receive and launch landing craft
from a floodable well dock that opens to the sea at
the stern (the stern door). The two vehicle hangars
are used for the transport and storage of equipment,
armoured vehicles or
Leclerc main battle tanks. The living quarters
are designed to accommodate 450 passengers (staffs
or troops).
Note that the BPCs
will have major hospital facilities (2 operating
theatres, 50 beds 19 with medical care, expansion
possibility with add loading racks).
Weapons and sensors
have not yet been finally decided. However the BPCs
will need a wide range of navigation,
telecommunication and self defence equipment, plus
of course the weapons carried by the aircraft and
vehicles. Substantial joint service command
facilities are planned; the ship will in fact be
able to accommodate 150 operators with workstations
in a specific premise of 850 m2.
Finally, the BPCs
will be powered by pod-type electrical propulsion (electrical
engines in nacelles under the hull). They are also
eco-friendly with “zero discharge”, thanks to an
on-board waste incinerator. |