NAVYPEDIA

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Bougainville 2002

Ships

Name	No	Yard No	Builder	Laid down	Launched	Comp	Fate
Bougainville	L9077		Dubigeon, Nantes // Ch de l'Atlantique, St-Nazaire	28.1.1986	3.10.1986	25.2.1988	stricken 5.2009

Technical data

Displacement standard, t	4200
Displacement full, t	5200
Length, m	105.0 pp 112.8 oa
Breadth, m	17.0
Draught, m	4.34
No of shafts	2
Machinery	2 SACM MGO 195 V12 RVR diesels
Power, h. p.	4800
Max speed, kts	15
Fuel, t	diesel oil
Endurance, nm(kts)	6000(12)
Armament	2 x 1 - 12.7/90, helicopter deck (2 landing spots for Super Puma)
Military load	1 LCVP, 3 CTM, 60 passengers, 500 troops in emergency
Electronic equipment	2x DRBN-32 radars
Complement	52 + 30 techicians

Standard scale images

Graphics

Project history

Designated BTMS (Bâtiment de Transport Moyen et de Soutien), Bougainville was ordered in 1984 for the Directorate of Nuclear Experimentation, to serve as a logistics vessel between Papeete and the Mururoa Test Centre.

She was essentially a scaled-down version of the TCD 90, with a docking well 78x10.2m able to accommodate three CTM-type landing craft or forty 20ft containers. The stern door measured 10x6m. A removable deck in three 6m sections can be fitted above the docking well to increase vehicle/cargo capacity. The dock area was served by a fixed 37t crane to starboard and by a travelling crane with a capacity of 25t. Vehicles can also be embarked via a 6m side ramp to starboard. Vessels up to the size of the 400t patrol vessels of the L'Audacieuse class can be accommodated in the docking well for maintenance and repair.

The flight deck was amidships and measured 26x17m. Particular attention was given to providing a stable platform in adverse sea conditions. Two Super Puma helicopters can be operated, but there were no hangar facilities.

The priority given to logistics and support operations was reflected in high endurance (forty-five days maximum) and a relatively low speed. Twin bow thrusters provided manoeuvrability in narrow anchorages, and steadiness when embarking and disembarking landing craft. Fifty civilians can be accommodated in double berths in addition to the crew, and 500 troops can be transported in an emergency.

Shortly after the ship was launched by Dubigeon the shipyard was forced to close down, and Bougainville was completed by Chantiers de l'Atlantique.

Modernizations

1999: + ARBG-2 ECM suite, MINREM data collection system.

Naval service

In 1998-1999 Bougainville was converted to an electronic intelligence collection vessel.