france

I have been looking for some drawings or pictures of the unbuilt Verdun aircraft carrier that the French government ordered at the end of the 1950s, but I've been unable to find any. According to wiki, it would have had size and displacement similar to today's Marine Nationale CDG, albeit with a...

One of the joys of this site is the quantity of info available on unbuilt aircraft projects. Particularly tantalising are the various projects in the 70s and 80s for a supersonic VSTOL to replace the Harrier. The Bae 1216 has been the best covered thanks to Michael Pryce. Various US designs...

I have just discovered a tank I did not know existed. It is the AMX ELC, a light tank intended for airborne forces. It is very small but well armed, I can not find much information about it. I can't see where the drivers seat is-in the turret? If you know any more then please let me know. I...

Work in progress. Please add! HD.31 HD.32 HD.321 HD.332 assault transport project HD.34 HD.35 adaptation of the HD.321, powered by Wright 982 engines HD.353 additional Marboré jet engines proposed HD.355 twin-engined ASM aircraft HD.37 turboprop-powered flying car-ferry variation based on...

During ELDO Europa 2 project, it became clear that Woomera launch site was not able to launch payload with Europa 2 to GEO One Proposal was to build (or move) a Launch site near of the equator, at Darwin in Northern Territory. http://www.spaceuk.org/bstreak/eldo/darwin.jpg But the French had...

[raises eyebrow] French army red-faced after command post stolen The French army top-brass were left red-faced when after a mobile command post worth 600,000 euros (£523,000), complete with military computers, was stolen, judicial sources said on Tuesday. 4:04PM BST 20 Sep 2011 The modular...

A late 1990's French government sponsored project for a "Ground Target For Simulating The Heat Silhouette Of A Vehicle Such As A Tank". Intended for both peacetime use as a training (including live fire) target and as a wartime mobile decoy system. Was what would be known today as 'optionally...

Dear Boys and Girls, here is an article in French about the amazing SNECMA C.450-01 Coléoptère (Beetle) VTOL research prototype. The article describes the thrust/directional control systems necessary and preparations for the Coléoptère's first flight (which took place 6th May 1959)…… The...

Model of DCNS Marlin SSK on display at IDEAS 2006 Defence Exhibition. The Marlin SSK is based on the Scorpene SSK and incorporates technology of the Baracuda SSK and has been offered for sale to the Pakistan Navy. Source: http://www.pakdef.info/exhibitions/ideas2006/index.html

Here is a list of known SNCAN / Nord Aviation designations. It will be expanded and documented little by little. Feel free to add or correct! First numbering system: Nord (SNCAC) NC-700 Martinet Nord (NC-)854 (numbering taken over from SNCAC's NC- list) Nord (NC-)855 variant with Praga-D...

Dear Boys and Girls, here is an interesting feature in French that I've found on a motorised rough-field undercarriage that had been fitted to a SA.330 Puma helicopter. I can't think why though; would a medium sized helicopter need to be able move itself across rough terrain? The feature comes...

G'day once again gents I am looking for information on the French LOHR VPX 5000 light armoured vehicle. A neat little AFV, which looks as though it could have been as versatile as the West German Wiesel series of light armoured vehicles. From what I can make out, it was proposed in a 120mm...

Cutaway drawing of DCNS Barracuda-class nuclear-powered attack submarine. The first submarine will be named Suffren, and will be followed by the Duguay-Trouin, Dupetit-Thouars, Duquesne, Tourville and De Grasse, the build order of these five following submarines being subject to change. Source...

DCNS Gowind sales brochure from Euronaval 2008. Source: (link removed, hijacked in the meantime)

Two artist's impressions of the Royal Navy's proposed future aircraft carrier (CVF) from 1999. These both show examples designed to operate STOVL aircraft. Source: http://navy-matters.beedall.com/cvf2.htm

hi all

Trying to find any information about postwar SNCASE warplane projects here, i'm find out that there is no information about SE-1010, high altitude reconnaissanse plane. It looks very close to Republic XF-12 Rainbow. Here some information about SE-1010. First flight was made by Jacques LECARME...

This is an excelent site: http://mainbattletanks.czweb.org/indexeng.htm In International projects there is an entry on a French-German project called Clovis. Does anyone have any info?

One French aircraft I don't seem to find much about is the Starck AS35A, a very odd-looking twin-pusher with had its ailerons on the surfaces boxing in the wingtips. Does anyone have any info on this most peculiar bird?

View of new french concept about fast & modular fast landing craft/frigate/logistic ships designed by french company CNIM