Jeanne d'Arc helicopter cruiser
The Jeanne d'Arc is a helicopter cruiser of the French Navy, which uses it for teaching purposes. It is named after Joan of Arc (Jeanne d'Arc, in French), a woman who repelled the British invasion during the Hundred Years' War.
Missions
In peace time, Jeanne d'Arc is a teaching vessel for the naval officers' application academy, and at the same time possesses an aerial group of 2 Puma helicopters and 2 Gazelle helicopters of the light aviation of the French Army, as well as two helicopters Alouette III of naval aviation.
Jeanne d'Arc is to go on combat missions, either in anti-submarine warfare with 8 WG 13 Lynx helicopters, either in external missions by carrying Puma or Gazelle helicopters from the light aviation of the French Army, or to carry landing troops.
General characteristics
- Builder: Brest arsenal (DCN) from 1959 to 1961
- Physical characteristics:
- Displacement: 12000 tonnes.
- Length: : 182 meters
- Beam: 24 meters
- Tirant d?eau: 7,5 meters
- Tirant d?air: 52 meters
- Power plant:
- Four power plants with automatic heating.
- 40 000 horsepower
- Maximal speed: 28 knots
- Maximal distance: 7500 nautical miles, at 15 knot speed
- Armament:
- 6 Exocet-38 sea-sea missiles
- two 100 mm gun turrets
- Crew: 677
- 46 officers, out of which 13 for the instruction of cadets
- 158 cadets
- 473 other crew
Jeanne d'Arc can carry about 10 light or heavy helicopters. It can simultaneously handle the take-off and landing of 3 helicopters.
