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World
Navy Force News - France |
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French
Navy ATL2 flying Libyan reconnaissance missions over Libya |
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Since
July 27, 2011, French Navy Atlantique 2 joined the air detachment of
Suda (Crete) as part of Operation Harmattan. Usually deployed for anti-submarine
warfare and anti-ship missions, the maritime patrol aircraft proves
to be a valuable asset by conducting reconnaissance missions over the
Libyan territory. |
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French Navy
ATL 2 based in Suda, Crete (picture: EMA/French Navy)
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Its crew consists of fourteen
people. The captain, the pilot and two flight engineers are at the front
, while the tactical portion is composed of TACO (tactical coordinator),
radio operators, radar navigator and acoustic officer. |
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Radar operator
onboard ATL 2 (picture:
EMA/French Navy)
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Operators
onboard ATL 2 (picture:
EMA/French Navy)
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Acoustic officers role is to
gather and process the recordings and images during missions. To do so
they have a unique vantage point through the glass nose of the aircraft.
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French Navy
ATL 2 and French Air Force M2000N prepares for a mission from Suda,
Crete
(picture:
EMA/French Navy)
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An infrared camera also
allows them to see up to thirty kilometers around depending on weather
conditions.
A single aircraft is on the Suda detachement to ensure all missions.
Each mission last 11 hours on average.
Atlantique II operate alongside the French air force day and night.
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