France builds new Barracuda class nuclear submarines
The shipbuilding company Direction Technique des Constructions Navales (DCNS) has completed the production of the first section of the hull of the new generation attack submarine Duguay-Trouin (Barracuda class) at the shipyard in Cherbourg. Duguay-Trouin is the second in this class. Let us recall that on June 1 last year, the French Ministry of Defense signed a contract with DCNS and the firm Areva TA for the construction of the second nuclear submarine of the Barracuda class.
The Barracuda class submarine construction program is being implemented under the auspices of the General Delegation for Armaments of France (DGA). In total, the program provides for the construction of six submarines in the period from 2017 to 2028 year. The first section of the submarine hull has the number 7 and is made of steel alloy. The diameter of the section is about 9 meters, the length of the 4 meter and the mass of 40 tons. This section will be mounted immediately behind the nuclear reactor compartment, in the rear part of the submarine hull. The construction of the remaining elements of the Dugue-Truin submarine, namely: the 4 connecting node and the 20 hull sections, will continue over the next few months. In the process of work, new improved welding methods and technology for forming steel alloys are used.
The first Barracuda-class submarine, Suffren, is also being built at SSS according to the planned schedule. The installation of equipment in the submarine's hull is planned to begin in January next year. The nuclear reactor is scheduled to be installed in May 2013, after which, in 2014, the stern and bow sections will be attached to the submarine's hull. The first sea trial of Suffren is planned for early 2016. French fleet should receive the Suffren at the end of 2016 – beginning of 2017.
Acceptance of the Duguay-Trouin, barring any disruptions, will take place in the summer of 2019. Subsequently, the new submarines Tourville, Du Petit Thouars, Off Fatty and Duquesne will be commissioned at two-year intervals until 2027, when the sixth and final submarine of the series will join the French Navy.
The Barracuda-class submarines are equipped with four launch tubes and are designed to carry between fourteen and twenty heavy weapons (a variety of Black Shark (IF-21) torpedoes, 533mm anti-ship missiles, missiles "Exocet" (SM-39) and cruise missiles "Scalp Naval"). In addition, it is supposed to accommodate a commando group on board. When developing the boat, a technology was used that makes it unnoticeable during combat missions lasting up to 70 days, while the speed in the underwater position can reach 25 knots. The submarine's crew consists of 60 permanent personnel.
Information