Originally Posted by
ORAC
Just conjecture, but reading up on the original design from which the Mistral was developed there was a problem with turbulence over the deck around the superstructure which would affect helicopter operations. They had a lot of wind tunnel tests and altered the design.
Is it a possibility that the flat prow acts the same way the blunt nose is used on air vehicles to lift the airflow above and away from the deck?
Sister's view was that was a possibility whilst underway or facing a headwind (helos not needing the 'wind over the deck' that fixed wing aircraft do), although wouldn't be much use in a crosswind. She also postulated that it was to allow a free field of fire from the forward armament.