French destroyer Aconit (F65)
Encyclopedia
The Aconit was a unique frigate
built for the French Navy
during the Cold War. She was named after the French corvette Aconit
which fought in the Free French Navy during World War II. the design was designated F65 by the French Navy
frigate
s for use as convoy escorts in the North Atlantic. She is unusual in that she has a single shaft machinery layout which was chosen for ease of production. The anti submarine weapons fit was based on the destroyer La Galissoniere and consisted of the Malafon
ASW missile, 305 mm anti submarine mortar and torpedo tubes. The ship did not have any helicopter facilities which was considered a significant drawback
Three sister ships were planned but replaced by more capable F67 class destroyers
Frigate
A frigate is any of several types of warship, the term having been used for ships of various sizes and roles over the last few centuries.In the 17th century, the term was used for any warship built for speed and maneuverability, the description often used being "frigate-built"...
built for the French Navy
French Navy
The French Navy, officially the Marine nationale and often called La Royale is the maritime arm of the French military. It includes a full range of fighting vessels, from patrol boats to a nuclear powered aircraft carrier and 10 nuclear-powered submarines, four of which are capable of launching...
during the Cold War. She was named after the French corvette Aconit
French corvette Aconit
Aconit was one of the nine s lent by the Royal Navy to the Force Navales Françaises Libres . During World War II, she escorted 116 convoys, spending 728 days at sea...
which fought in the Free French Navy during World War II. the design was designated F65 by the French Navy
Design
The ship was intended as a prototype for anti submarineSubmarine
A submarine is a watercraft capable of independent operation below the surface of the water. It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability...
frigate
Frigate
A frigate is any of several types of warship, the term having been used for ships of various sizes and roles over the last few centuries.In the 17th century, the term was used for any warship built for speed and maneuverability, the description often used being "frigate-built"...
s for use as convoy escorts in the North Atlantic. She is unusual in that she has a single shaft machinery layout which was chosen for ease of production. The anti submarine weapons fit was based on the destroyer La Galissoniere and consisted of the Malafon
Malafon
Malafon was a French ship-launched anti-submarine missile system. Developed in the 1950s and 60s, the weapon was intended to take advantage of the greater detection ranges possible with towed sonar arrays. The missile entered service in 1966 and was manufactured by Groupe LatécoèreThe weapon is...
ASW missile, 305 mm anti submarine mortar and torpedo tubes. The ship did not have any helicopter facilities which was considered a significant drawback
Ship
A single ship was built by Arsenal de Lorient- F703 Aconit
- Laid down: January 1967
- Launched: 7 March 1970
- Completed 30 March 1973
- Decommissioned 1996
Three sister ships were planned but replaced by more capable F67 class destroyers
Tourville class frigate
The F67 type is a class of large high-sea Destroyers of the French Navy specialised in anti-submarine warfare. They have anti-air and anti-surface capabilities....