ASM Frigate Aconit (1970), A unique, modern warship

Arghail · August 15, 2023, 10:28am

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French frigate Aconit (1970)

The lone warship

About the Aconit and its interest in War Thunder

The Aconit frigate is a unique warship built during the 1970’s. A versatile ship with an emphasis on anti-submarine warfare, it’s armament regroups everything you can find on modern French warships (aside from a poor anti-air defense apart from countermesures) which, if modern naval warfare ultimately comes, will make a great all rounder for the French navy.

The Aconit, a unique warship of the 70’s

The evolution of warfare during the 1960’s and especially the rapid growth of submarine technology pushed France to develop dedicated ASM ships. Frigate Aconit was the first ship to be developped with this specific purpose in mind, and introduced new equipments around which the whole French ASM tactic gravitated : The malafon anti-submarine guided torpedo, and the active towed sonar. Launched in 1970’s, it was commissioned in 1973. Originally equipped with a 305mm mortar, it was supposed to be an evolution of the T47 destroyers, which themselves were equipped with 375mm rocket launchers. Ultimately, in 1985, the mortar were replaced by 8 exocet launchers, giving the ship a much needed versatility. In 1992, a couple 20mm Oerlikon canons completed this armament. However, by that time, the ship was begining to really show its age. In 1997, the Aconit was decommissioned. It served as a breakwater ship, until its eventual scrapping in 2014.

General Characteristics :

Tonnage: 3000 tons (standard) - 3870 tons (max overload)|
Length: 127 m
Beam: 13.4 m
Draught: 5.8 m
Propulsion : Rateau steam turbine x 1 : 28 650 HP
Cruise speed : 18 knots (33 km/h)
Max Speed: 27 knots (50 km/h)
Range : 5000 nautical miles at 18 knots

Crew : 232 men

Armament (original, 1973) :

2 x 100mm mle 1968 canons (2 x 1)
1 x Malafont missile
2 x fixed TLT for L5 torpedoes
1 x 305mm mortar

Armament (refit, 1992) :

2 x 100mm mle 1968 canons (2 x 1)
1 x Malafont missile
2 x fixed TLT for L5 torpedoes
2 x 20mm Oerlikon canons (2 x 1)
8 x Exocet Launchers (2 x 4)

ECW/EW equipment

DRBV-22A air search radar
DRBV-13/DRBV-15A/Decca 1226/DRBC32B surveillance radar (73/85/92/92)
DUBV-23 hull active sonar (bow)
DUBV-43/DSBV-62C towed active sonar (73/92)
SLQ-25 Nixie towed decoy
ARBR-16 radar warning system
2 x SYLLEX chaff/decoy launchers

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