Rapide-class tanker
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Builders: |
|
| Operators: |
 Entente |
| Cost: | 500,000,000 |
| Built: | 2010-2014 |
| In service: | 2014- |
| Planned: | 4 |
| Completed: | 4 |
| Active: | 4 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Nuclear powered replenishment oiler |
| Displacement: | 22,000 t (full load) |
| Length: | 165 m |
| Beam: | 24 m |
| Draught: | 11 m |
| Propulsion: |
|
| Speed: | 25-28 knots (46-51 km/h) |
| Range: | Unlimited distance; 20–25 years |
| Complement: | 250 |
| Armament: |
|
| Aircraft carried: | 2 helicopters |
| Aviation facilities: | landing pad and hanger |
The Rapide-class tanker is a family of four nuclear powered replenishment oilers. They are operated by a joint Entente naval task force and are deployed to assist Entente carrier task forces with rapid deployment to far off conflict zones. Nuclear power was chosen to remove the need for fuel for the oiler itself, freeing up the space for more fuel and munitions, and also to allow the tanker to keep up with the fast speeds that the carrier battlegroups can achieve. They work in tandem with conventionally powered oilers which are used by the respective nations of the Entente to provide rapid and seemless supply to naval task forces to sustain the mission with minimal delays. The ships are shock hardened with important parts of the ship protected and built to military specifications.