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Barracuda: Safran aboard the latest generation of French SSN
On Friday, July 12, 2019, in Cherbourg, France celebrated the launch of Suffren, the first Ship Submersible Nuclear (SSN) of its Barracuda program. This state-of-the-art submarine carries a number of solutions designed by Safran Electronics & Defense.
Friday, July 12, 2019, during a ceremony presided over by the President of French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, Naval Group launched in Cherbourg the first new generation Nuclear Submarine (SSN), the Barracuda type Suffren.
The Suffren is the first of an eponymous class of 6 SSN (Suffren, Duguay-Trouin, Tourville, De Grasse, Rubis, Casabianca), whose commissioning will be done gradually until 2030. A new generation that must gradually repace to the current Ruby class, in service for more than 30 years in the French Navy.
One of the stealthiest submarines over the world, the Suffren has advanced detection capabilities that guarantee its acoustic superiority. More manoeuvrable, more mobile, the submersibles of the Barracuda program will provide the Navy with a tenfold force: carrying of naval cruise missiles, heavy-weight wire guided torpedoes, modernized anti-ship missiles, discreet deployment of special forces underwater (thanks to its divers hatch), carrying of a dry deck shelter allowing for the development of underwater vehicles.
Safran avant-garde technologies
At the same time “Charles de Gaulle’s bodyguard, sniper, special forces operator and intelligence agent”*, the Suffren can rely on state-of-the-art systems, among which, a number of Safran solution:
- 2 SIGMA 40XP inertial navigation systems
- 1 Search Optronic Mast (SOM)
- 1 Attack Optronic Mast (AOM)
- 1 Radar Mast
Submarine solutions by Safran
The Suffren has required the know-how of no less than 10,000 women and men, through 800 French companies. This incredible 99 m long submarine with an 8.8 m diameter can accommodate 65 sailors. It is also the first French submersible and one of the few in the world designed to embark women. Equipped with a hybrid propulsion (pressurised water reactor, two propulsion turbines, two turbo generators and two electric motors), the new flagship of the French Navy will have to go through some final tests before launching in the water, in the coming weeks.
*Christophe Prazuck, Chief of Staff of the French Navy.
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