La Fayette class
Overview
La Fayette class
Lead ship of the La Fayette class seen during an exercise in 2007.
Source: US Navy -
© Public domain
Origin
France
Type
Frigate
Entered service
1996
Status
In service
Development
1988
Developer
France
-
DCN Lorient
Production
1990 - 2001
Producer
France
-
DCN Lorient
Number produced
5
Designations
F710 class (lead pennant number)
Frégate Légère Furtive
French for "stealthy light frigate"
FL-3000 (design project)
Frégate Légère Furtive
French for "stealthy light frigate"
FL-3000 (design project)
Notable users
France
Details
Facts
La Fayette class
General
Origin
France
Type
Frigate
Complement
139 - 141 incl 15 officers
Up to 25 marines or passengers
Dimensions
Displacement
3.800 t full load
3.200 t standard (3.350 t also reported)
Length
124.2 m overall
115 m at waterline
Beam
15.4 m
Draft
4.1 m
Propulsion
Arrangement
CODAD
Machinery
4x SEMT Pielstick 12PA6V280 STC2
Power output
21.000 hp combined
Propulsion
2 shafts, controllable pitch propellers
1 bow thruster
Mobility
Speed
25 knots
Range
7.000 nm at 15 knots
9.000 nm at 12 knots
Endurance
50 days
Sensors
Air and surface search
1x DRBV-15C
Fire control radar
1x Castor 2 (for 100mm gun)
Navigation radar
2x DRBN-34 (1x nav, 1x helicopter control)
Electro-optical
1x TDS 90 VIGY
Systems
Combat data system
TAVITAC 2000
ESM
ARBG-1 Saigon radio intercept (first 3 in class)
ARBG-2 Maigret radio intercept (last 2 in class)
ESM
ARBR-21 radar intercept
Decoys
2x AMGL-1C Dagaie Mk2 chaff launcher
Decoys
1x AN/SLQ-25 Nixie towed torpedo decoy
Communication
Syracuse II satcom
Communication
Inmarsat
Datalink
Link 11
Stealth
Low RCS hull design
Stealth
Prairie Masker noise masking system
Guns
Dual purpose
1x 100mm Modèle 100 TR
Self-defense
2x 20mm F2 autocannon
Self-defense
2x 7.62mm AAT-NF1
SSM
AShM
2x4 MM40 Block II Exocet
Block III fitted at later stage
SAM
Short range
1x8 Crotale CN2
26 missiles in total
Aircraft
Facilities
Hangar for 1 medium size helicopter
Supported types
AS.565 Panther and NH90
Media
La Fayette class
French navy Surcouf, a La Fayette class frigate, seen in port in 2015.
Source: Piergiuliano Chesi
Copyright: GNU Attribution Share Alike license
La Fayette class
French navy Surcouf, a La Fayette class frigate, seen in port in 2011.
Source: Rama
Copyright: GNU Attribution Share Alike license
La Fayette class
Rear view of French navy La Fayette class frigate.
Source: NetMarine
Copyright: GNU Attribution Share Alike license
Variants
Subcomponents
Note: incomplete list
100mm Creusot-Loire
1x 100mm Modèle 100 TR in low RCS housing with about 600 shells in magazine.
20mm Giat M693
2x 20mm Modèle F2 autocannon in pedestal mount for self-defense.
MM40 Block 3 Exocet
Capability for Block 3 Exocet missiles added over time.