Breaking news
Watch French Navy Special Forces Airdrop their ECUME RHIB from a C-130H Aircraft.
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Naval
Forces News - France |
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Watch French Navy Special Forces Airdrop their ECUME RHIB from a C130H
Aircraft |
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The
French procurement agency (DGA) and the French Navy (Marine Nationale)
announced they have successfully conducted the first airdrop of the
new ECUME RHIB during a test conducted on January 13, 2016. The French
Navy even released an interesting video of the test which was carried
out in Brest harbor (Western France) from a French Air Force (Armée
de l'Air) C-130H Hercules transport aircraft. |
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 Zodiac Milpro designed the ECUME to the answer the specifics needs of French Navy special forces. Picture: Zodiac Milpro |
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ECUME
is the new RHIB of the French Navy Special Forces (the famous Commandos
Marine) designed and produced by Zodiac Milpro. According to the French Navy, the parachute technique allows the remote deployment of special forces at sea. It is made possible through a specific interface system developed under the ECUME program. Several tests will be conducted for the qualification of this capacity. The ECUME is implemented by the newly created French Navy special forces unit "commando Ponchardier", a support unit which provides the crew of the boat (sailors, pilots, gunners, mechanics). |
French Navy video |
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The
ECUME can transport 12 fully equipped special forces to conduct assaults
at sea or nautical raids. It may operate in coastal area as well as in
the high seas, even in adverse weather. The ECUME is a modular boat that
can be configured depending on the mission. The French Navy Special Forces
currently use ECUME in 6 configurations for 6 types of missions: - Command (to command and control naval special operations at sea. Also acts as tactical relay with the support vessel). - Fire Support (to support special forces in their missions with machine guns) - Assault (to storm vessels at sea with ladders or perch in counter terrorism operations for example) - Raid DPD (to deploy and support Stidd Diver Propulsion Device (DPD) during nautical raids) - Raid RIB (to deploy and support smaller RIBs during nautical raids) - Raid Kayak (to deploy and support Nautiraid's SB Commando MK VI kayaks during nautical raids) The ECUME is 9.30 metres long and is powered by two diesel inboard engines that were designed specifically for the purpose by Volvo Penta. With a maximum cruising displacement of 7 tonnes, the ECUME RIBs are able to undertake long distance raids carrying 12 fully equipped navy commandos at speeds in excess of 40 knots. The key to its on-water performance lies with the use of the unique Zodiac Milpro MACH II (Military Air Channeled Hull). This has been developed to reduce water resistance and enhance directional stability so that higher speeds can be maintained with greater fuel economy and safety. The aluminum or GRP (on the ECUME) air step hull’s low centre of gravity enables the boat to sustain high speeds in demanding sea conditions while retaining the comfort and security that helps preserve the operational performance of its passengers and crew. |
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