PH 75
Encyclopedia
PH 75 was a military development program in France
aimed at designing a nuclear powered
amphibious assault ship
during the 1970s. Design work was never completed by the time the project was cancelled.
was left to the aging Arromanches, a World War II
light carrier. PH 75 was envisioned as the replacement for the Arromanches. Nuclear propulsion was selected to allow the vessel to operate with fewer support vessels and at longer ranges. Other roles were added to the program including command, rescue, and anti-submarine warfare
. Early plans were for completion of the first unit by 1981, but this proved unobtainable, and after several delays, the project was finally cancelled.
France instead chose to pursue a conventionally powered vessel to fulfill this role, termed a power projection ship, resulting in the development of the Mistral class
which recently entered service. Meanwhile, France also developed a nuclear powered aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle
.
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
aimed at designing a nuclear powered
Nuclear propulsion
Nuclear propulsion includes a wide variety of propulsion methods that fulfil the promise of the Atomic Age by using some form of nuclear reaction as their primary power source.- Surface ships and submarines :...
amphibious assault ship
Amphibious assault ship
An amphibious assault ship is a type of amphibious warfare ship employed to land and support ground forces on enemy territory by an amphibious assault...
during the 1970s. Design work was never completed by the time the project was cancelled.
History
The role of providing air support for amphibious operations in the French NavyFrench Navy
The French Navy, officially the Marine nationale and often called La Royale is the maritime arm of the French military. It includes a full range of fighting vessels, from patrol boats to a nuclear powered aircraft carrier and 10 nuclear-powered submarines, four of which are capable of launching...
was left to the aging Arromanches, a World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
light carrier. PH 75 was envisioned as the replacement for the Arromanches. Nuclear propulsion was selected to allow the vessel to operate with fewer support vessels and at longer ranges. Other roles were added to the program including command, rescue, and anti-submarine warfare
Anti-submarine warfare
Anti-submarine warfare is a branch of naval warfare that uses surface warships, aircraft, or other submarines to find, track and deter, damage or destroy enemy submarines....
. Early plans were for completion of the first unit by 1981, but this proved unobtainable, and after several delays, the project was finally cancelled.
France instead chose to pursue a conventionally powered vessel to fulfill this role, termed a power projection ship, resulting in the development of the Mistral class
Mistral class landing platform dock
The Mistral class is a class of three amphibious assault ships, also known as a helicopter carrier, of the French Navy. Referred to as "projection and command ships" , a Mistral class ship is capable of transporting and deploying 16 NH90 or Tiger helicopters, four landing barges, up to 70 vehicles...
which recently entered service. Meanwhile, France also developed a nuclear powered aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle
Charles de Gaulle (R 91)
Charles de Gaulle is the flagship of the French Navy and the largest Western European aircraft carrier. She is the tenth French aircraft carrier, the first French nuclear-powered surface vessel, and the first and so far only nuclear-powered carrier completed outside of the United States Navy...
.
See also
- Mistral class amphibious assault ship
- List of aircraft carriers