A SUCCESSOR TO THE DAPHNE: FRENCH CA SUBMARINE

The article describes a design for a new conventionally powered <Diesel-electric> French CA submarine which is to follow the successful Daphne-class submarines put into service in the 1960s. It is pointed out that much of the research devoted to nuclear- powered submarine programmes is applicable to conventional submarine design. Thus periscope equipment, batteries, internal navigation, sonar equipment, weapons and fire control equipment, etc., are common requirements for conventional and nuclear-powered submarine types; and the new design will benefit from the current French nuclear- powered developments. The design for the CA submarine has been prepared by DTCN and is especially intended for operating in shallow coastal waters and in restricted areas such as archipelagoes which require exceptional manoeuvrability and maximum capability of avoiding detection. Therefore the overall size of the design has been reduced to a minimum so as to present the smallest reflective surface to hostile sonars. The weapons system of the submarine comprises six 533mm bow weapons tubes which can fire torpedoes, mines, or missiles. The firing system is integrated with passive/active UX 37 sonar. Principal particulars of the new design:- Displacment <tonnes> Standard: 950 long tons, Surfaced: 1050, Submerged: 1160. Dimensions <metres> Length <oa>: 59.8, Breadth: 5.3, Draught 5.65. Propulsion 1 x Jeumont-Schneider dual armature, water cooled electric motor 1900 kW; 2 x SEMT Pielstick 12PA4 200 VG alternators 825kW each; 2 x 120 lead-acid cells with internal cooling and electrolyte agitation. Speeds Max. dived: 20 kts <approx.>, Max. snort: 12 kts <approx>, Short transit: 7 kts, Patrol: 3 kts <approx.>, Max. surfaced: 12 1/2 kts <approx>. Endurance/rane 30 days; 3700 nm surfaced/submerged at 7 kts; 2100 nm surfaced at 11 kts; 250 nm deep dived at 2 1/2 knots. Maximum diving depth 350 m. Complement 5 officers, 18 enlisted men.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Navy International, 88 <1983>, p. 206 <Apr.> (6 pp., 5 diag.)
• Publication Date: 1983

Language

• English

Subject/Index Terms

• Old TRIS Terms: Daphne
• Subject Areas: Marine Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00684756
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: British Maritime Technology
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 14 1995 12:00AM