Ouragan class landing platform dock
Encyclopedia
The Ouragan was a class of French
landing platform docks operated by the French Navy
. They were called Transport de chalands de débarquement (TCD) (in English: landing craft transport).
The landing is accomplished by means of an unloading barge transported in an interior raft called a radier. The TCD could simultaneously transport, refuel and put into operation four heavy helicopters, while ensuring the control of a limited landing operation, hospitalization and care of the wounded.
The essential characteristic distinguishing the TCD was the interior raft or radier, which was submersible in three metres of water and with a rear door that put it in contact with the water. The radier's dimensions were 120 metres long under 3.5 metres of water.
The ship had a 120 metre long well deck
that could be submerged 3 metres under water.
The class comprised:
Ouragan was launched on November 9, 1963, the Orage in 1968.
The two ships of this class were supposedly due for transfer to the Argentine Navy
in 2006 and 2007 but the whole operation was placed on hold by the Argentine Government due to concerns about asbestos
, a toxic material used in the ships' construction. They are presently moored in Toulon
harbour.
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
landing platform docks operated by 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...
. They were called Transport de chalands de débarquement (TCD) (in English: landing craft transport).
Overview
The ships in this class were used for:- the fast loading and unloading of landing craftLanding craftLanding craft are boats and seagoing vessels used to convey a landing force from the sea to the shore during an amphibious assault. Most renowned are those used to storm the beaches of Normandy, the Mediterranean, and many Pacific islands during WWII...
, and other equipment, carrying troops and vehicles; - carrying, supplying and operating helicopterHelicopterA helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
s transporting commandoCommandoIn English, the term commando means a specific kind of individual soldier or military unit. In contemporary usage, commando usually means elite light infantry and/or special operations forces units, specializing in amphibious landings, parachuting, rappelling and similar techniques, to conduct and...
s or providing close support; - transporting the mission crew;
- commanding a landing operation of limited scale.
The landing is accomplished by means of an unloading barge transported in an interior raft called a radier. The TCD could simultaneously transport, refuel and put into operation four heavy helicopters, while ensuring the control of a limited landing operation, hospitalization and care of the wounded.
The essential characteristic distinguishing the TCD was the interior raft or radier, which was submersible in three metres of water and with a rear door that put it in contact with the water. The radier's dimensions were 120 metres long under 3.5 metres of water.
The ship had a 120 metre long well deck
Well deck
A well deck or well dock is a hangar-like deck located at the waterline in the stern of some amphibious warfare ships. By taking on water the ship can lower its stern, flooding the well deck and allowing boats and amphibious landing craft to dock within the ship. This facilitates moving cargo...
that could be submerged 3 metres under water.
The class comprised:
- Ouragan (Hurricane), L9021, (Retired January 2007)
- Orage (Storm), L9022, (Retired June 2007)
Ouragan was launched on November 9, 1963, the Orage in 1968.
The two ships of this class were supposedly due for transfer to the Argentine Navy
Argentine Navy
The Navy of the Argentine Republic or Armada of the Argentine Republic is the navy of Argentina. It is one of the three branches of the Armed Forces of the Argentine Republic, together with the Army and the Air Force....
in 2006 and 2007 but the whole operation was placed on hold by the Argentine Government due to concerns about asbestos
Asbestos
Asbestos is a set of six naturally occurring silicate minerals used commercially for their desirable physical properties. They all have in common their eponymous, asbestiform habit: long, thin fibrous crystals...
, a toxic material used in the ships' construction. They are presently moored in Toulon
Toulon
Toulon is a town in southern France and a large military harbor on the Mediterranean coast, with a major French naval base. Located in the Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur region, Toulon is the capital of the Var department in the former province of Provence....
harbour.