Le Triomphant class submarine
The Triomphant class of strategic missile submarines are currently being introduced into service to provide the sea based component of the French nuclear deterrent or Force de frappe, with the M45 SLBM. They are replacing the Redoutable class boats. They are called SNLE-NG for Sous-Marin Nucléaire Lanceur d'Engins de Nouvelle Génération (New Generation Nuclear vehicle-launching submarines). They are roughtly 1000 (one thousand) times quieter than the Redoutable-class vessels, and 10 times more sensitive. It is desgined to carry the M51 nuclear missile, which should enter active service around 2010.
The vessels are manufactured by DCN and have a capacity of 16 missiles manufactured by Aerospatiale (now EADS Space Transportation.)
| Crew
| 96 men and 15 officers
|
| Dimensions
|
|
| Length
| 138m
|
| Maximal width
| 12,50m
|
| Heigth
| 10,60m
|
| Operational depth
| over 600m
|
| Surfaced displacement
| 12640 t
|
| Submerged displacement
| 14335 t
|
| Energy/Power
|
|
| Main engine
| Pressurised water K15 nuclear reactor (150MW) ; turboreductor system ; pump-propeler
|
| Secondary Engine
| 2 diesels-alternators SEMT Pielstick 8PA4V200 SM (700 kW).
|
| Power
| 30500 kW
|
| Submerged speed
| "over 25 knots"
|
| Armement
|
|
| Nuclear
| 16 M45 missiles with TN75 warheads
|
| Anti-submarine
| 4 tubes 533mm for F17 torpedoes
|
| Anti-ship
| Exocet SM39
|
| Detection Systems
|
|
| Sonar
| DMUX 80
|
| Sonar
| DUUX 5
|
| Sonar
| DSUV 61B à TBF
|
| Radar
| Racal Decca (navigation)
|
| Electronic Warfare
|
|
|
| ARUR 13
|
|
| SCC : SET (Système d'exploitation Tactique )
|
The French Navy hopes to operate a force of four SSBNs, as with the Royal Navy's Vanguard fleet.
- Construction of the Triomphant began on the 9th of June 1989; she was launched on the 26th of March 1994, and
entered active service on the 21st of March 1997.
- Construction of the the Téméraire began on the 18th of December 1993; she was launched on the 21st of January 1998, and entered active service on the 23rd of December 1999.
- Construction of the Vigilant began in 1997; she was launched in 2003, and entered active servicein 2004.
- Construction of the Terrible began on the 24th of October 2000 and is currently under construction. She should join active service by 2008.
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