DCN multi-purpose intervention ship (BIP)

[Triton]

From "Merlock" at the Key Aviation forums:

Another "never were ship" was the B?timent d'intervention polyvalent or BIP, in english "Multipurpose intervention ship". It was presented by the then DCN (today DCNS) at the Euronaval show in 1994 fior the export market...

Basically it was a "scaled down" version of the US Tarawa-class LHD, because as compared to the 40,000 tonnes Tarawa, the BIP had a smaller displacement of 19,000 tonnes.
Apart from that it was a similar concept of warship, capable of operating S/VTOL aircratfs and helicopters.

It also possessed a well deck for launching smaller landing craft, up to 2 Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) hovercraft or 4 Landing Craft Utility (LCUs) a would have carried a ready batalion-sized amphibious force, and provided all the necessary logistic...

Main characteristics:
Lenght: 198 m
Beam: 50 m
Draft: 6,50 m
Air draft: 22,60 m
Displacement (full): 19,000 tonnes
Consumables: 45 days
Crew: 450+15 passengers
Troops: 500 soldiers
Engine: CODOG 2x14700Kw + 2x3,8Kw diesel, 2 shafts
Speed: 22,5 knots
Range: 10,000 min at 15 knots
Air operations up to Force 6 sea.

Source:
http://forum.keypublishing.com/showthread.php?59936-The-8000t-quot-harrier-carrier-quot-concept/page6
http://forum.keypublishing.com/showthread.php?77827-Spanish-and-other-navies-Never-where-ships/page3

 

[kaiserbill]

So an early concept of what led to the Mistral, but with elevator to the side and ski ramp?

 

[Grey Havoc]

More like a cousin, I would say.

 

[Tzoli]

Does anybody have information on the various prelimianires led to the final Mistral-class amphibious assault ship?
Wikipedia mentions the BIP series (Bâtiment d'Intervention Polyvalent) and later the BPC (Bâtiment de Projection et de Commandement) and said that the Mistral was based on the BIP-19 design which itself loosely based on the abortive PH 75 Nuclear Powered Helicopter Carrier Bretagne of the 1980's.

BIP-8: 8.000tons, 102 x 23m stated to be an improved San Giorgo class
BIP-10: 10.000tons, 125 x 23m
BIP-13: 13.000tons, 151 x 23m
BIP-19: 19.000tons, 190 x 26,5 x 6,5m

BPC 140: 13.500tons
BPC 160: 16.700tons
BPC 250: 24542tons, 214,5m

Later in the article it mentions that the final Mistral class was derived from the largest BPC 250 design in 1997 though it's closer in displacement to the BPC 160 design.

Can somebody clear out the confusion and provide solid data on the designs?