NAVYPEDIA

Photo

Andromède 2003

Ships

Name	No	Yard No	Builder	Laid down	Launched	Comp	Fate
Éridan	M641		DCN, Lorient	20.12.1977	2.2.1979	16.4.1984	stricken 6.2018
Cassiopée	M642		DCN, Lorient	26.3.1979	28.9.1981	5.5.1984	in service (2019)
Andromède	M643		DCN, Lorient	6.3.1980	22.5.1982	19.10.1984	in service (2019)
Pégase	M644		DCN, Lorient	22.10.1980	24.4.1983	30.5.1985	in service (2019)
Orion	M645		DCN, Lorient	17.8.1981	6.2.1985	14.1.1986	in service (2019)
Croix du Sud	M646		DCN, Lorient	22.4.1982	6.2.1985	14.11.1986	in service (2019)
L'Aigle	M647		DCN, Lorient	2.12.1982	8.3.1986	1.7.1987	in service (2019)
Lyre	M648		DCN, Lorient	14.10.1983	15.11.1986	16.12.1987	in service (2019)
Persée	M649		DCN, Lorient	20.10.1984	9.3.1988	4.11.1988	retired 7.2009
Sagittaire	M650		DCN, Lorient	13.11.1985	9.11.1988	27.7.1989	to Pakistan 9.1992 (Munsif)
Sagittaire	M650		DCN, Lorient	1.2.1993	14.1.1995	2.4.1996	in service (2019)
Verseau (ex-Iris)	M651		Béliard, Ostend, Belgium	23.5.1986	19.6.1987	3.10.1988 // 28.3.1997	retired 2.2010
Céphée (ex-Fuchsia)	M652		Béliard, Ostend, Belgium	31.10.1985	27.11.1986	20.3.1988 // 29.5.1997	in service (2019)
Capricorne (ex-Dianthus)	M653		Béliard, Ostend, Belgium	4.4.1985	16.4.1986	18.8.1987 // 28.8.1997	in service (2019)

Technical data

Displacement standard, t	535
Displacement full, t	605
Length, m	47.1 pp 51.5 oa
Breadth, m	8.90
Draught, m	2.49 hull 3.50 max
No of shafts	1
Machinery	1 Brons-Werkspoor A RUB 215V12 diesel / 2 ACEC electric maneuvering propellers
Power, h. p.	1900 / 240
Max speed, kts	15
Fuel, t	diesel oil
Endurance, nm(kts)	3000(12)
Armament	M641-643: 1 x 1 - 20/90 MIT-20F2, 2 x 1 - 12.7/90, 2 PAP-104 USV, OD3 mechanical minesweeping gear, 6 mineclearing divers M644-653: 1 x 1 - 20/90 MIT-20F2, 2 x 1 - 12.7/90, 2 PAP-104 USV, OD3 mechanical minesweeping gear, AP-4 acoustic minesweeping gear, 6 mineclearing divers
Electronic equipment	M641-649, 651-653: DRBN-32 radar, DUBM-21B sonar M650: DRBN-34A radar, DUBM-21D sonar
Complement	49

Standard scale images

Graphics

Project history

Developed from the Circé class minehunter, the Éridan class was part of a collaborative project (the 'Tripartite' MH) between France, the Netherlands and Belgium. Under the terms of the agreement each country built its own GRP hulls to a standard design; the French were responsible for the minehunting systems and electronics, the Netherlands for the main propulsion system, and Belgium for the minehunting propulsion system and the electrical generating plant.

The hull, decks and partitions are formed by a single GRP skin 20-40mm thick, stiffened by trapezoid-section formers, the hull/former connections being reinforced by fibreglass pins. The hull is moulded in a steel shell.

The propulsion system is similar to that of the Circé class with the addition of a pair of bow thrusters for additional steadiness during minehunting operations. The electric motors for the 'active rudders' and bow thrusters are driven by a group of three Astazou IVB gas turbine alternators, each of 150kW. A fourth diesel-drive alternator of 160kW supplies the ship with power at cruise speed and while alongside. The main shaft drives a five bladed CP propeller, enabling the blades to be feathered when the auxiliary propulsion system is in use. The main propulsion machinery is controlled from the bridge, but the auxiliary propulsion system can also be controlled from the operations room.

The DUBM-21B minehunting sonar is a smaller, more advanced model which can detect and classify ground and moored mines to a depth of 80m. It is retracted into a well in the hull for cruising. Unlike the Circé class these ships have a limited minesweeping capability; light mechanical sweep gear was fitted from the outset, and the AP4 acoustic sweep from 1985. The PAP-104 magazine has a capacity of twenty-seven explosive charges. The minehunting control centre, which is housed within the superstructure, features the EVEC 20 plotting table and advanced inertial navigation equipment. Decca Hi-Fix and Syledis radio precision navigation equipment is fitted. A 5t container can be embarked stored for various tasks, including research, patrol, extended diving and drone control.

Fifteen units were originally projected for the Marine Nationale, but this was reduced by budgetary pressures to ten. Sagittaire was sold to Pakistan in 1992, and was replaced by a new hull.

Modernizations

mid-1980s, Éridan, Cassiopée, Andromède: + AP-4 acoustic minesweeping gear

2001-2005, all survived but Sagittaire: - DRBN-32 radar, DUBM-21B sonar; + DRBN-38 radar, DUBM-21E, SPIV sonars, Double Eagle Mk 2 USV

2001-2005, Sagittaire: - DRBN-34A radar, DUBM-21D sonar; + DRBN-38 radar, DUBM-21E, SPIV sonars, Double Eagle Mk 2 USV

Naval service

No significant events.

2003