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By A.D. Baker III, Editor, Combat Fleets of the World
Shown before her launch on 5 May 1990, Victorious (T-AGOS-19), the first of four 3,438-ton small waterplane, twin hull (SWATH) ocean surveillance ships, was originally scheduled for launching in January 1989. Able (T-AGOS-20) was scheduled to be laid down on 22 May, and Effective (T-AGOS-21) should be laid down this November; the last of the quartet, Loyal (T-AGOS-22), is scheduled to be launched in November 1991—after only five months on the ways. A follow-on SWATH class, enlarged to accommodate an active towed-array sonar, will displace about 5,400 tons; T-AGOS-23, the first ship of the class, was authorized in fiscal year 1990.
The British-built Chilean Leander- class frigate Lynch has been reconfigured with launchers for four French-supplied MM40 Exocet antiship cruise missiles. The new launchers are abreast the hangar; her original four MM38 Exocet launch cannisters were stern-mounted. Completed in 1974, Lynch and her sister Condell, along with several other Chilean major surface combatants, have also been equipped with Israeli-made electronic warfare and decoy systems.
France’s new 10,070-ton dock landing ship Foudre, shown in April 1990, was scheduled as the lead ship of a trio but the two follow-on vessels have been deferred. The 551-foot, 21-knot ship was ordered in November 1984 and began trials in November 1989. The ship carries a 350-man mechanized unit and 1,080 tons of combat vehicles and cargo. The ship has a 400 by 44 foot well deck plus a hangar and space to operate four helicopters.
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