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French Navy LHD Mistral, new Fast Landing Craft set sail for Franco-American
amphibious exercise
On
January 9, 2012, the crew of the first Fast Amphibious Landing Craft
(EDA-R) has completed its phase of operational readiness. Mistral and
EDA-R No. 1 set sail for the US East Coast to participate in Bold Alligator
exercise, a major step in the Franco-American cooperation in the field
of amphibious operations.
CNIM's L-CAT,
named EDA-R in French Navy service
(picture: CNIM)
EDA-R (picture:
French Navy)
Conducted under the
supervision of trainers of the Marines Nationale's Naval Action Force
in cooperation with the amphibious fleet, this phase of handling the
vessel by its crew has successfully integrate the EDA-R in an amphibious
assault ship (Mistral Class).
With this qualification, the EDA-R is able to participate in amphibious
operations.
The L-CAT
variable draft system explained
(picture: CNIM)
Designed to land troops
and military vehicles from an over-the-horizon amphibious vessel (30 nautical
miles/55 km), the EDA-R can be used for humanitarian operations in areas
lacking port infrastructures. With a length of 30 meters and a width of
12 meters, the EDA-R has a payload of 80 tons with a speed of 18 knots
fully loaded and 30 knots when empty. Its doors at the front and rear
simplify the loading and unloading of vehicles.
French Army
AMX-10 RC wheeled tank and Trucks waiting to board Mistral LHD at Toulon
naval Base
(picture: French Navy)
Delivered to the Navy
at the end of November 2011, it is the first operational deployement for
this new type of Fast Landing Craft.
The Mistral LHD and EDA-R No. 1 have set sail the same day for the US
East Coast to participate in Bold Alligator exercise, a major step in
the Franco-American cooperation in the field of amphibious operations.
EDA-R inside
the Mistral LHD's well deck (picture:
French Navy)
