Jeanne d'Arc (R 97)

The "Jeanne d'Arc" (R97) is a helicopter cruiser of the French Navy. She is the third vessel of the French Navy named after Joan of Arc ("Jeanne d'Arc", in French), a national heroine of France and saint of the Catholic Church who repelled the English invasion during the Hundred Years' War.

In peace time, the "Jeanne d'Arc" is used for teaching and training purposes; however, in case of emergency or crisis, she was to have become a fully capable helicopter cruiser. This idea is now dropped because of the increasing size and weight of helicopters.

The "Jeanne d'Arc" was built as "La Résolue", as her predecessor, the "French cruiser Jeanne d'Arc (1930)", was still in service. She was renamed "Jeanne d'Arc" in 1964. The ship is to be decommissioned by 2011, but preferably before 2010.Fact|date=April 2008

Missions

In peace time, "Jeanne d'Arc" is a teaching and training vessel for the naval officers' application academy, and at the same time possesses an aerial group of 2 Aérospatiale Puma helicopters and 2 Aérospatiale Gazelle helicopters of the light aviation of the French Army, as well as two helicopters Alouette III of naval aviation.

"Jeanne d'Arc" is to go on combat missions, either in anti-submarine warfare with 8 WG 13 Lynx helicopters, or in external missions by carrying Puma or Gazelle helicopters from the light aviation of the French Army. Initially, she was also able to carry landing troops and Sikorsky or Super Frelon helicopters.

"Jeanne d'Arc" can carry about 10 light or heavy helicopters. She can simultaneously handle the take-off and landing of 3 helicopters.

The ship was used as part of the rescue effort of "Le Ponant" during the April 2008 hostage-taking incident [http://www.lemonde.fr/afrique/article/2008/04/12/les-commandos-francais-envoyes-a-l-assaut-des-pirates-en-somalie_1033873_3212.html]

See also

* List of aircraft carriers
* List of ship launches in 1961
* List of ship commissionings in 1964
* French ship "Jeanne d'Arc" for other ships of the same name

External links

* [http://www.alabordache.com/marine/espacemarine/marine/jeannedarc/index.php/ French Navy and Jeanne d'Arc site]
* [http://www.defense.gouv.fr/marine/decouverte/equipements/batiments_de_combat/jeanne_d_arc/jeanne_d_arc_r_97 Official site]