F70AA frigate Cassard (D614)

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Hello everyone, and welcome to this new proposal.

Today, I’m introducing a new class of French frigate, the F70AA-class frigate, and more specifically the Cassard.

The Cassard (D614) is a Type F70 AA (Anti-Aircraft) frigate. The F70AA class is directly derived from the F70 type, the main differences lying in the armament, as well as in the detection and weapons guidance systems. The Cassard was the first ship of this anti-aircraft variant, designed to replace the older escort vessels of the French Navy and to strengthen the fleet’s long-range air defense capabilities.

Construction of the Cassard began at the Lorient shipyards in 1982. The frigate was launched on February 6, 1985, and officially entered active service in 1988. It was named in honor of Jacques Cassard, a renowned privateer and naval officer of the 18th century, known for his courage, tactical skill, and successful campaigns during the reign of Louis XIV.

As a ship dedicated to fleet air defense, the Cassard was equipped with advanced systems for its time. Its main weapon was the SM-1 MR surface-to-air missile system, launched from a Mk 13 launcher, allowing the ship to intercept aerial threats at medium range. It also featured a three-dimensional radar for target tracking, Exocet missiles for anti-ship warfare, and a 100 mm main gun for surface engagements.

The frigate was also fitted with a hangar and a flight deck, enabling it to operate a helicopter, typically a Panther or Lynx, which enhanced its surveillance and response capabilities. Its design allowed it to escort aircraft carriers, major surface combatants, or strategic convoys, while ensuring a protective anti-aircraft screen for the entire naval group.

Throughout its 30 years of service, the Cassard played a key role in French naval air defense. It participated in numerous deployments, sovereignty patrols, and external operations, demonstrating its versatility and reliability. The ship escorted the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle on many occasions, ensuring the protection of the carrier group against aerial and missile threats.

The frigate also took part in several NATO operations, contributing to international missions and exercises, and operated across multiple theaters — including the Mediterranean Sea, the Arabian Gulf, the Indian Ocean, and the Atlantic Ocean.

Although modernized several times during its career, the Cassard gradually faced system obsolescence, particularly concerning its SM-1 missile system, whose production eventually ceased.

After more than three decades at sea, the Cassard was decommissioned in March 2019. It was gradually replaced by the new Horizon-class air defense frigates, the Forbin and the Chevalier Paul, which now carry on its mission with updated technology and greater capabilities.

Despite its retirement, the Cassard remains a symbolic ship of the French blue-water navy at the end of the 20th century. It marked a decisive step in the evolution of French air defense at sea, bridging the gap between earlier escort vessels and the modern multi-role frigates that now patrol the world’s oceans.

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Characteristics

  • Length : 139 m

  • Width : 14 m

  • Draft : 6.5 m

  • Mass : 5,000 tons

The Cassard is powered by four SEMT Pielstick 18PA6 V280 BTC Diesel engines, providing a total power output of 42,590 hp, enabling the vessel to reach a top speed of 30 knots and a range of 8,000 nautical miles at 17 knots.

The crew consists of 244 sailors.

Equipment

  • Radar :

    • DRBJ 11B 3D air search radar
    • DRBV 26C global surveillance radar
    • 2 x DRBN 34A navigation radar
    • DRBC 33A fire control radar
    • AN/SPG-51C fire control radar
    • SMART-S 3D global surveillance multibeam radar

  • IRST :

    • DIBV 2A IRST

  • Sonar :

    • DUBA 25A or 25C sonar

  • Decoy and threat detection :

    • ARBB 33 jammer
    • ARBR 17B radar interceptor (RWR)
    • SAIGON radio interceptor
    • DIBV 2A infrared interceptor (MAW)
    • SQL 25 NIXIZ torpedo decoy
    • 2 x SAGAIE NG decoy launcher
    • 2 x DAGAIE decoy lancher

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Weapons

  • Guns :

    • 1 x 100mm Mle 1968 canon
    • 2 x 20mm GIAT F2 canon

  • Torpedo :

    • 2 x 533mm torpedo lauch tube

  • Missiles :

    • 8 x MM40 Exocet missile launcher
    • 1 x RIM-66 missile launcher (40 in hold)

The RIM-66 launcher is a unique vertically reloading launcher, which can fire a missile every 15 seconds. The 40 missiles in the hold are stored in fireproof drums.

In addition to this equipment, a Panther helicopter from the 36F flotilla can be carried on board in the hangar located at the rear of the ship. This can equip its various weapons in order to provide significant support to the main ship.

In game this ship would be the pinnacle of French ships before arriving at the latest generation ships with stealth capabilities, this ship would bring significant firepower on the anti-aircraft plan while being able to defend itself against possible attackers, making it a particularly interesting ship for the French tree.

Pictures

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Video

Cassard class Air Defense Destroyer, French Navy, Type F 70 AA
French navy frigate Cassard (D 614)
FS CASSARD D614 [ Piraeus , Greece ]

Sources
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+1 for modern AAW Frigates to be added