Shipyards Directory

CMN (Constructions Mechanical Normandy)

naval shipyard Cherbourg-Octeville, France

CMN (Constructions Mécaniques de Normandie) is a shipyard in Cherbourg, France, founded in 1946 by aviation pioneer Félix Amiot. It designs and builds military and patrol vessels ranging from 15-metre high-speed interceptors to corvettes of over 90 metres, including fast attack craft, offshore patrol vessels, amphibious landing craft and unmanned surface vessels. The yard handles the full shipbuilding process, from prototype design through to the integration of navigation, communication and combat systems, and also provides post-delivery training, integrated logistics support, in-service support and technology transfer. Alongside naval work, CMN has completed specialised civil projects such as the TARA polar station and the trawler Saint-Paul Gilbert, and is manufacturing tidal turbines with its subsidiary HydroQuest for the Flowatt pilot farm at Raz Blanchard.

CMN (Constructions Mécaniques de Normandie)

CMN is a naval shipbuilder based in Cherbourg, Normandy, established in 1946 under the impetus of aeronautics pioneer Félix Amiot. The yard became internationally known for its "Combattante" fast missile boats — roughly 90 units delivered worldwide between the 1960s and mid-1980s — and for the DV15 interceptor line. Today CMN employs over 450 people and controls the whole build chain, from prototype design and manufacturing through to the integration of complex navigation, communication and defence systems. Recent work includes making the HSI 32, described as the fastest interceptor in its class, autonomous.

Services

  • Design and construction of military and patrol vessels
  • In-house design office and prototype development
  • Integration of navigation, communication and combat systems
  • Navigation and maintenance training
  • Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) and In-Service Support (ISS/MCO)
  • Transfer of Technology (TOT)
  • Completion of vessels started elsewhere (e.g. the trawler Saint-Paul Gilbert)
  • Manufacture of tidal turbines with subsidiary HydroQuest for the Flowatt pilot farm at Raz Blanchard

Vessel Types

  • Corvettes: BR71 MK II (70.3 m), SEAGUARD 96 (96 m)
  • FS Combattantes fast attack craft: FS46, FS56, FS65 (34–38+ knots)
  • Vigilante offshore patrol vessels: CL55 MK II, CL65, CL75 MK II
  • Ocean Eagle 43 and 43 MH composite trimaran OPVs
  • Interceptors: DV16, HSI25, HSI32 MK III, FPV 37 (up to 65 knots)
  • High-speed assault boats: HSAB 20, HSAB 32 (up to 50 troops)
  • Amphibious landing craft: LCT 175-45, LCT 200-54, LCT 200-70, NDH 250 (up to 80 m)
  • Unmanned surface vessels: U DV 16, U HSI 32, U OCEAN EAGLE 43
  • Special projects: TARA polar station, scientific vessels, fishing trawlers

Hulls are built in steel, aluminium or composite, with classification by Bureau Veritas or DNV depending on the design.

Location

  • Shipyard at Cherbourg, Cotentin Peninsula, Normandy, France
  • Delivers to navies in France and internationally; attends trade events such as EURONAVAL in Paris