France’s New Assault Ship Dixmude
By James Donahue
Among the new and odd-looking naval ships now sailing the world’s oceans is the Dixmude, a French amphibious assault ship that serves as a helicopter carrier for the French Navy.
Looking somewhat like an aircraft carrier, the 653-foot-long Dixmude carries mostly helicopters and landing vehicles plus a battalion of fighting men and women.
Powered by two Rolls-Royce diesel-electric engines this ship can reach speeds of 21 miles per hour and travel up to 10,700 nautical miles on the open sea. It can carry up to 16 heavy helicopters or up to 35 light helicopters. Dixmude also carries two Simbad surface-to-air missile systems, two 30 millimeter Breda-Mauser autocannons and four Browning machine guns.
This ship is manned by 20 officers, 80 petty officers and 60 quarter-masters, which combined with a traveling fighting battalion constitutes a literal floating city.
France has invested about $600 million building this fighting ship. Dixmude was built at Chantiers de Saint-Nazaire and launched in 2010. She ship has been commissioned since late 2012.
By James Donahue
Among the new and odd-looking naval ships now sailing the world’s oceans is the Dixmude, a French amphibious assault ship that serves as a helicopter carrier for the French Navy.
Looking somewhat like an aircraft carrier, the 653-foot-long Dixmude carries mostly helicopters and landing vehicles plus a battalion of fighting men and women.
Powered by two Rolls-Royce diesel-electric engines this ship can reach speeds of 21 miles per hour and travel up to 10,700 nautical miles on the open sea. It can carry up to 16 heavy helicopters or up to 35 light helicopters. Dixmude also carries two Simbad surface-to-air missile systems, two 30 millimeter Breda-Mauser autocannons and four Browning machine guns.
This ship is manned by 20 officers, 80 petty officers and 60 quarter-masters, which combined with a traveling fighting battalion constitutes a literal floating city.
France has invested about $600 million building this fighting ship. Dixmude was built at Chantiers de Saint-Nazaire and launched in 2010. She ship has been commissioned since late 2012.