FS Jeanne d'Arc is coming soon.

FS Jeanne d'Arc is a French helicopter carrier cruiser commissioned in the 1960s and in service until 2010. The ship was originally designed as a training ship for military sailors, but over time became a full-fledged participant in French Navy operations, including security missions in various regions of the world. Helicopters were based on board, which allowed the ship to effectively perform a wide range of tasks - from patrolling to counter-piracy. Despite its training specialization, the ship was repeatedly involved in real combat deployments, demonstrating its versatility and reliability. Over the decades of service, it has become one of the most recognizable symbols of the French Navy.

Let's get to know it better!

FS Jeanne d'Arc is a French helicopter carrier cruiser commissioned in the 1960s and in service until 2010. The ship was originally designed as a training ship for military sailors, but over time became a full-fledged participant in French Navy operations, including security missions in various regions of the world. Helicopters were based on board, which allowed the ship to effectively perform a wide range of tasks - from patrolling to counter-piracy. Despite its training specialization, the ship was repeatedly involved in real combat deployments, demonstrating its versatility and reliability. Over the decades of service, it has become one of the most recognizable symbols of the French Navy.

Let's get to know it better!

Armament:

1. MM40 Block 3c [2x1]🔒 missile battery [2x1]🔒

2. Teseo MK2/E missile battery [2x1].

3. CADAM Model 64 (100 mm) cannon [4x1]🔒

4. RUR-5B ASROC grenade launcher [2x1]

5. RAH-66 Comanche helicopter [3x1].

6. Crotale R440 air defense [3x1]

7. Sea-Ceptor air defense [2x1]🔒

This ship combines a number of non-standard for its class cruiser qualities - high speed and obvious emphasis on the support of deck helicopters, though with other weapons you can quite noticeably attack the enemy. Low durability combined with not the richest set of air defense points will often make you think more carefully about battle tactics.

The ship's arsenal may not be rich in variety, but it is more than enough for a quick fight with a hapless enemy. Missile batteries are represented by 2 slots - in the 1st double slot we have MM40 Block 3c anti-ship missiles, unique for the ship, capable of hitting enemy targets bypassing anti-missile traps. In the second double slot we have the familiar Teseo MK2/E, which, however, can be replaced by any other. The ship is not lacking in cannons, either - four exclusive CADAM Model 64 guns are capable of inflicting significant damage to the enemy with their accurate fire, but at the same time they can successfully hit the attacking aircraft. For anti-submarine warfare, the ship is equipped with a double replaceable slot for RUR-5B ASROC grenade launchers. And now to the most important feature of the ship - 3 helicopters on a long helipad. Initially there are 3 RAH-66 Comanche helicopters, available for replacement by any other available model, but even they are more than enough to protect the ship from underwater, surface and even air targets. In addition, the ship's defense against air threats is provided by 3 Crotale R440 air defense systems, as well as Sea-Ceptor silo-based SAMs.

And how is the ship playable in our game?

As it was announced earlier, the gameplay on FS Jeanne d'Arc is noticeably different from other analogs of its class - lack of durability and not the richest set of air defense will not allow you to actively participate in battles among the ships of the first line. Ship cannons, of course, will give you the opportunity to successfully fight with aircraft due to the excellent combination of damage, accuracy and speed of fire, but after a massive missile attack you can lose a significant amount of strength points due to not the largest set of air defense. The best way to play this ship is to participate in flank raids or support a more powerful allied ship. It makes sense to release helicopters not at the beginning of the battle, but directly at close fire contact. This has two positive results at once - the enemy's air defense will be distracted by three targets that are not the quickest to shoot down, which gives you the opportunity to more confidently strike with your missiles, as well as with a successful choice of helicopters themselves, they will immediately begin to empty their arsenal on a close target, rapidly reducing its strength to zero.

What's the bottom line? The new French cruiser is a quintessence of various qualities of both cruiser and helicopter carrier. It is not always possible to play on it as a classic cruiser in the sense of the class - the specific layout of the armament set makes itself felt. However, as a second line support ship its potential is revealed to the fullest. However, even if the ship is in the thick of battle, you can always either quickly retreat due to good mobility, or still take the fight using all its arsenal and helicopter air group.