PARIS, April 26 (UPI) -- The French military's procurement agency DGA has taken delivery of another Mistral class catamaran landing craft.
The Engin de Debarquement Amphibie Rapide (EDA-R 3) is the second navy vessel received this year. It is about 95.5 feet long, 39 feet wide and can reach a speed of 18 knots when fully loaded.
The catamaran landing craft is based on a concept patented by the French group CNIM. It acts as a fast catamaran in transit mode but becomes a flat-bottomed ship for beaching operations or for entry into the well deck of an amphibious ship.
DGA said two Mistral class amphibious ships now being built for the navy will be able to carry two of the catamarans each.
The vessel delivered this month is the second this year. A fourth EDA-R is scheduled for delivery to the agency in 2012.
The first EDA-R produced and delivered took part in U.S. multinational military exercises in January and February, operating with a French navy amphibious vessel.
