PUBLICATION : JANE'S FIGHTING SHIPS
VOLUME/ISSUE : 2003-2004
DATE : 2003 Mar 20
UPDATE STATUS : UPDATED
SECTION : SUBMARINES - Strategic Missile Submarines
(SSBN/SNLE)
COUNTRY : France
TITLE : LE TRIOMPHANT CLASS (SSBN/SNLE-NG)
IN SERVICE : 2
BUILDING : 2
HULLS :
{st}
Name No Builders Launched Commissioned
LE TRIOMPHANT S 616 DCN, Cherbourg 13 July 1993 21 Mar 1997
LE TEMERAIRE S 617 DCN, Cherbourg 8 Aug 1997 23 Dec 1999
LE VIGILANT S 618 DCN, Cherbourg Apr 2003 Nov 2004
LE TERRIBLE S 619 DCN, Cherbourg 2008 2010
{ct}
SPECIFICATIONS :
Displacement, tons: 12,640 surfaced; 14,335 dived
Dimensions, feet (metres): 453 x 41; 55.8 (aft planes) x 41
(138 x 12.5; 17 x 12.5)
Main machinery: Nuclear; turbo-electric; 1 PWR Type K15 (enlarged CAS 48);
150 MW; 2 turbo-alternators; 1 motor; 41,500 hp(m) (30.5 MW);
diesel-electric auxiliary propulsion; 2 SEMT-Pielstick 8 PA4 V 200 SM
diesels; 900 kW; 1 emergency motor; 1 shaft; pump jet propulsor
Speed, knots: 25 dived
Complement: 111 (15 officers) (2 crews)
Missiles: SLBM: 16 Aerospatiale M45/TN 75; 3-stage solid fuel rockets;
inertial guidance to 5,300 km (2,860 n miles); thermonuclear warhead with
6 MRV each of 150 kT. To be replaced by M51/TN 75 which has a planned
range of 8,000 km (4,300 n miles) and 6 MRVs. To be fitted first in S 619.
SSM: Aerospatiale SM 39 Exocet; launched from 21 in (533 mm) torpedo
tubes; inertial cruise; active radar homing to 50 km (27 n miles) at 0.9
Mach; warhead 165 kg.
Torpedoes: 4-21 in (533 mm) tubes. ECAN L5 Mod 3; dual purpose;
active/passive homing to 9.5 km (5.1 n miles) at 35 kt; warhead 150 kg;
depth to 550 m (1,800 ft); total of 18 torpedoes and SSM carried in a
mixed load.
Countermeasures: ESM: Thomson-CSF ARUR 13/DR 3000U; intercept.
Weapons control: SAD (Systeme d'Armes de Dissuasion) strategic data system
(for SLBMs) SAD M5I will be fitted in S 619; SAT (Systeme d'Armes
Tactique) tactical data system and DLA 4A weapon control system (for SSM
and torpedoes). SYCOBS to be fitted in S 619.
Radars: Search: Dassault; I-band.
Sonars: Thomson Sintra DMUX 80 'multifunction' passive bow and flank
arrays. DUUX 5; passive ranging and intercept; low frequency.
DSUV 61; towed array; very low frequency.
TEXT :
Programmes: Le Triomphant ordered 10 March 1986 with first steel cut 30
October 1986. Complete hull transferred to dock 13 July 1993. Floated in
November 1993 when the reactor started to operate. Le Temeraire ordered 18
October 1989. Le Vigilant ordered 27 May 1993 with first steel cut 9
December. Le Terrible ordered 28 July 2000 and first steel cut 24 October
2000. Class of six originally planned, but reduced to four after the end
of the Cold War. Sous-marins Nucleaires Lanceurs d'Engins-Nouvelle
Generation (SNLE-NG).
Modernisation: Development of the M5 missile discontinued in favour of the
less expensive M51 which is planned to equip S 619 in 2010 and the first
three submarines between 2010 and 2015. Warhead TN O is to replace TN 75
by 2015.
Structure: Built of HLES 100 steel capable of withstanding pressures of
more than 100 kg/mm{2}. Diving depth 500 m (1,640 ft). Height from keel to
top of fin is 21.3 m (69.9 ft). Plans to lengthen the hull in later ships
of the class have been shelved.
Operational: First sea cruise of Le Triomphant 16 July to 22 August 1995.
First submerged M45 launch on 14 February 1995, second on 19 September
1996. Le Temeraire official trials started April 1998, first submerged
M 45 launch 4 May 1999. First steel cut for Le Terrible on 24 October
2000. Le Triomphant in refit from April 2002 until October 2004 to be
followed by Le Temeraire 2006-07. Le Vigilant is to start sea trials in
December 2003. Based at Brest.
CAPTION : LE TEMERAIRE 4/2002, B Prezelin
CAPTION : LE TRIOMPHANT 6/1998, French Navy
CAPTION : LE TEMERAIRE 6/2002, French Navy
DISP.DIVED (tonnes) : 14564.3
DISP.SURFACED (tonnes) : 12842.2
LENGTH (m) : 138.000
BEAM (m) : 17.0
DRAUGHT (m) : 12.5
SPEED (knots) : 25.0