Nuclear submarines with Triomphant ballistic missiles (France)
Triomphant-class SSBN at sea
A key component of the strategic nuclear forces of France are nuclear submarines with ballistic missiles. The Force Océanique Stratégique "strategic ocean force" is currently equipped with four Triomphant-class SSBNs. These ships have been built in recent decades and are capable of carrying 16 M51 ICBMs.
New generation
In the early eighties, the naval component of the French strategic nuclear forces was built on the basis of the Redoutable SSBN. They did not differ in perfection and physically became obsolete, because of which it was decided to develop a new carrier of ballistic missiles. Such a project started in 1982 and received the working designation SNLE NG (Sous-Marin Nucléaire Lanceur d'Engins de Nouvelle Génération - "New Generation Nuclear Submarine Missile Carrier").
The development of SNLE NG was entrusted to seven industrial groups, each of which included several enterprises and was responsible for its own direction. Within the framework of separate subprojects, hull structures, a power plant, ship systems, etc. were created. A separate group was assigned the integration of all components.
The aim of the project was to create a new nuclear submarine compatible with advanced SLBMs. At the same time, it was necessary to drastically reduce the noise in comparison with the Redoutable boats, as well as improve the ship's own target detection capabilities. Various technical, operational and other features of the submarine were also discussed.
Submarine layout
The development of SNLE NG took several years and ended in 1985-86. Soon the construction of the first boat began, which received the number S 616 and the name Le Triomphant ("Triumphant"). According to the plans of that time, the fleet was to receive six ships before the beginning of the XNUMXs.
By this time, it became clear that the SNLE NG project would be perhaps the most expensive in stories French fleet. The total cost of the program reached 88 billion francs at a price of approx. 10-12 billion. The last ships of the series were built after the introduction of the new currency and cost approx. 3-3,1 billion euros each.
In the early nineties, the strategic situation changed, and the series was reduced to four SSBNs. In addition, we had to revise the composition of weapons. The development of the new M5 SLBM (hereinafter M51) was delayed, and instead it was decided to use the M45 product, an upgraded version of the serial M4. The introduction of the M5 has been pushed to the right by a few years.
Work in progress
The laying of the lead submarine Triumfator took place on June 9, 1986 at the Direction des Constructions et Armes Navales naval shipyard in Cherbourg (then one of the DCNS plants, and now the Naval Group). Especially for the implementation of this project, the company has mastered a number of new construction technologies. However, the project turned out to be quite complicated, and the construction was delayed.
Submarine Le Téméraire on the surface
Le Triomphant was launched only in March 1994. Testing and testing of the systems took several more years. The ship entered the combat structure of the Navy in March 1997. By this time, the fleet had managed to decommission two obsolete Redoutable-type SSBNs and was preparing to disable the third one.
The second submarine of the series, Le Téméraire ("Brave") with the number S 617, was laid down in December 1993 and built until January 1998. The main technologies have already been worked out, and the tests were completed before the end of the next 1999. In January 1996, the construction of the submarine S 618 Le Vigilant ("Vigilant") started. In September 2003, she was launched, and in November 2004, the flag was raised on her.
The first three SSBNs were built according to the original design, which included the use of M45 missiles. In October 2000, the submarine Le Terrible ("Grozny") was laid down, which was the first in the series to carry the new M51 (formerly M5) SLBMs. Some difficulties arose again, and the submarine was launched only in March 2008. In September 2010, she began her service.
Almost immediately after the completion of the construction of Le Terrible, repairs and modernization of previous submarines began. The main goal of this process was to replace the M45 missiles with the new M51s. The rearmament was completed by 2018, and now all SSBNs of the Triumfator type use only M51 missiles. The previous M45s were withdrawn from service in 2016, after the repair of their last carrier began.
Technical features
The Triomphant project involved the construction of a double-hull submarine. Inside the durable housing there are living and working premises, a power plant and silo missile launchers. The length of such a boat is 138 m with a width of 12,5 m. Displacement on the surface - 12 tons, underwater - 640 tons. The crew includes 14 people, incl. 335 officers.
The third ship of the series - Le Vigilant
The energy system is based on the K15 pressurized water reactor with a thermal power of 150 MW. The propeller is driven through the main turbo gear assembly. There are also emergency diesel generators with a capacity of 700 kW. One refueling of the reactor is designed for 20-25 years of operation and provides an almost unlimited cruising range. The maximum speed under water is 25 knots.
The design of the submarine used a number of solutions aimed at reducing acoustic visibility. It was reported that the Triumfator is about 1 thousand times quieter and more secretive than previous Redoutable-class nuclear submarines. At the same time, modern hydroacoustic stations are used, which have increased the detection distances for underwater targets. According to some reports, during the recent modernization, not only the missile system was replaced, but also the SAC.
SSBNs are equipped with four 533 mm torpedo tubes. With their help, compatible torpedoes of several types are launched. To combat surface targets, submarines can use Exoset SM39 missiles, also launched through a torpedo tube.
In the central part of the pressure hull, 16 launchers of the main missile corps are placed - in two longitudinal rows of eight in each. Initially, the M45 intercontinental SLBM was used, based on the M4 medium-range missile. It was a three-stage rocket with a length of 11 m and a mass of 35 tons. The firing range reached 6 thousand km. Combat equipment included six TN-75 individual targeting units with a capacity of 100 kt each.
Deck with launcher covers
After the upgrade, all Triomphant SSBNs use the M51 missile. It has a length of 12 m and a mass of 52 tons, but does not require a radical restructuring of the launcher. The rocket has three stages with solid propellant engines. The head stage carries 6 to 10 TN-75 units. The range of the M51 missile exceeds 8 km and can reach 10 km.
In 2015, a new version of the missile was developed under the designation M51.2. It improved some systems and used new warheads with a capacity of 100 kt. Since 2016, the development of the next modification is underway - M51.3. According to some reports, in 2020-21. French industry began flight tests of such products. Their introduction is scheduled for the middle of the decade.
U-boats in the service
The head SSBN of the Triumfator type was adopted by the French Navy 25 years ago. The fourth ship of the project entered service 12 years ago. At the same time, just 5-7 years ago, the submarines underwent modernization, as a result of which they received a modern ballistic missile with high performance.
All French SSBNs are based in the port of Ile-Long and have direct access to the Atlantic Ocean. From the moment they enter service, all ships regularly go on combat duty in specified areas of the ocean. From time to time, training launches of missiles are carried out at the training grounds of the Atlantic. With their help, the skills of the crews are worked out and the capabilities of the French strategic nuclear forces are demonstrated.
In general, the operation of the four Triomphant submarines does not face serious problems, incl. caused by design imperfections or other similar factors. At the same time, unpleasant incidents took place. So, in February 2009, the lead ship of the series collided with the British SSBN HMS Vanguard during the exercises. The light hull and the GAK antenna received minor damage. No vital systems were damaged and the boat was able to return to base on its own for minor repairs.
According to some information, the next stage of repair, restoration of readiness and modernization of four submarines is planned for the foreseeable future. These measures will keep them in service for another 10-15 years, until the planned write-off. Details of future upgrades are not reported. In particular, it is not known whether they plan to replace the current M51 SLBMs.
In 2017, a new SNLE 3G (3 Génération) program was launched, the goal of which is to develop the next third generation SSBNs. The research phase of the program ended in 2021, after which work began on the technical design. It will be ready by the middle of the decade, and then the laying of the lead boat will take place. The delivery of this ship is scheduled for 2032-35.
It is obvious that the current Triomphant-type submarines will be operated until a sufficient number of new 3G SNLEs become available. Accordingly, they will have to remain in service, at least until the beginning or middle of the forties. This means that the "Triumphants" in the future will repeatedly be repaired and, possibly, receive new equipment or even weapons.
Key component
The Triomphant-class SSBN development and construction program was costly and complex. However, as it became clear later, such costs fully justified themselves. The Navy received the desired submarines with high performance, large ammunition and the required combat qualities.
The last Redoutable-class submarines were withdrawn from the fleet in 2003 and 2008. Since that time, the main strategic missile carriers of the Navy and nuclear forces have been new Triomphant-class ships that meet all modern requirements. According to current plans, they will retain their place in the submarine forces and the nuclear deterrence system for another 15-20 years. And the command expects that the "Triumphants" will cope with such tasks.
- Ryabov Kirill
- French Ministry of Defense, Wikimedia Commons
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