French battlecruiser proposals

Though the design studies were complete, the French Navy did not authorize or begin construction of any battlecruisers before the start of the war.

In the Naval Law of 30 March 1912, the French Navy called for a total force of 20 capital ships to be built by 1920.

As the proposals were only design studies, none were authorized and no ships were built; the outbreak of World War I ensured that even more advanced projects, like the Normandie and Lyon-class battleships were canceled as resources were redirected toward more pressing needs.

Due to the extreme weight of the main battery turrets at the bow and stern, the hull had to be strengthened to handle the strain.

[5] The ships would have been equipped with four sets of steam turbines rated at 80,000 shaft horsepower (60,000 kW) powered by fifty-two coal-fired Belleville boilers.

[1][5] The ships' main armament was composed of twelve 340mm/45 Modèle 1912 guns in three quadruple turrets, the same as in the contemporary French battleships of the Normandie class.

[6] A secondary battery of twenty-four 138.6 mm /55 Modèle 1910 guns mounted in casemates was planned for defense against torpedo boats.

The ships would have been equipped with four sets of direct drive turbines rated at 74,000 shaft horsepower (55,000 kW) powered by twenty-four double-ended Belleville boilers that burned both coal and oil.

The ships could have cruised for 3,500 nautical miles (6,500 km; 4,000 mi) at 16 kn (30 km/h; 18 mph), with enough fuel for an additional six hours for combat speeds.

[1][9] The ships' main armament was composed of eight 340mm/45 Modèle 1912 guns in two quadruple turrets, the same as in the contemporary French battleships of the Normandie class.

A secondary battery of twenty-four 138.6 mm Modèle 1910 guns mounted in casemates was planned for defense against torpedo boats.

The heavier weight of the increased main battery was offset by a reduction in the armor protection for the secondary guns and improved performance of the ship's propulsion system.

The gun fired a 880-kilogram (1,940 lb) shell that was capable of penetrating 300 mm (12 in) of armor plate at a range of 12,700 m (41,700 ft).

A secondary battery for defense against torpedo boats consisted of twenty-eight 138.6 mm guns, of a new semi-automatic design, mounted in casemates.