Redoutable-class submarine (1967)
Le Redoutable
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Class overview | |
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Name | Le Redoutable class |
Builders | DCNS |
Operators | French Navy |
Preceded by | Gymnote |
Succeeded by | Triomphant class |
Built | 1964–1985 |
In commission | 1971–2008 |
Completed | 6 |
Retired | 6 |
Preserved | 1 |
General characteristics | |
Type | Ballistic missile submarine |
Displacement | 8,000 tons (submerged) |
Length | 128 m (419 ft 11 in) |
Beam | 10.6 m (34 ft 9 in) |
Draught | 10 m (32 ft 10 in) |
Propulsion | |
Speed | Over 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph) |
Range | Unlimited distance; 20–25 years |
Complement |
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Sensors and processing systems |
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Armament |
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The Le Redoutable-class submarine was a
The class entered active service in 1971 with Redoutable, six submarines were built in total. All have since been decommissioned. The structural changes in Inflexible have seen it regarded as a different class from the early boats. The class has been superseded by the Triomphant class.
Background
With the election of Charles de Gaulle as president of France, the French Armed Forces saw a change in direction. Under the new government, French forces were withdrawn from NATO formations due to French unhappiness with American domination of the group. Beginning in the 1960s, French foreign policy would be reshaped to create independence from both of the major opponents of the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union. This was later defined in the mantra "to deter – to intervene – to defend". From the foreign policy arose the concept of submarine-based "Force de Dissuassion", with emphasis on the "to deter", which was the focus of new French naval spending.[2]
The new nuclear-powered, nuclear-armed submarine force was planned to be of similar size to the British Royal Navy. However, unlike the British, the French received no support from other nations and the French nuclear program began with a lack of technological expertise to draw from. Furthermore, the Americans refused to provide the French Navy with enriched uranium for the creation of a nuclear reactor.[2] Nevertheless, the project was authorized in 1963.[3] The French Navy resorted to working in conjunction with the civil French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (French: Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives), which the US allowed to acquire enriched uranium for experimental land use. A nuclear plant was constructed on land at Cadarache and the reactor was tested to simulate nuclear-powered submarine patrols.[2] Other developments made by the groups working on the project include the development of high-tensile steel by France and the adaption of the submarine hull to nuclear propulsion.[4]
At the same time as the French were developing nuclear propulsion, they were also researching
Description
Designated Sous-marin Nucléaire Lanceur d'Engins (SNLE) literally "Missile-launching nuclear submarine", the design initially measured 128 metres (419 ft 11 in)
Armament
The Redoutable class all have 16 compartments for
Vessels in class
Redoutable class construction data[9] | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Number | Name | Laid down | Launched | Completed | Fate | Notes |
S611 | Redoutable | 30 March 1964 | 29 March 1967 | 1 December 1971 | Stricken December 1991 | Museum ship |
S612 | Terrible | 24 June 1967 | 12 December 1969 | 1 January 1973 | 1996 | |
S610 | Foudroyant | 12 December 1969 | 4 December 1971 | 6 July 1974 | 1998 | first M2 submarine |
S613 | Indomptable | 4 December 1971 | 17 August 1974 | 23 December 1976 | 2003 | |
S614 | Tonnant | October 1974 | 17 September 1977 | 3 April 1980 | December 1999 | |
S615 | Inflexible | 27 March 1980 | 23 June 1982 | 1 April 1985 | 2008 | first M4 submarine |
Service history
The first submarine, Redoutable, was ordered in 1963, built at Cherbourg, launched in 1967 and commissioned in 1971. This was replaced by the M2 MSBS beginning in 1974, which was in turn replaced by the M20 MSBS beginning in 1977. All except Redoutable were heavily upgraded from 1985 to fire the second generation MIRV capable M4 missile – Tonnant was recommissioned in 1987; Indomptable in 1989; Terrible in 1990; and Foudroyant in 1993.
Redoutable has been preserved since 2002 as a museum ship at the Cité de la Mer naval museum in Cherbourg-Octeville, France. The reactor compartment has been replaced by a new section.[10]
See also
Citations
- ^ Lobner, Peter (August 2015). "60 Years of Marine Nuclear Power 1955–2015" (PDF). Retrieved 21 May 2022.[unreliable source?]
- ^ a b c d Gardiner, Chumbley & Budzbon 1995, p. 96.
- ^ Couhat 1986, p. 90.
- ^ Gardiner, Chumbley & Budzbon 1995, p. 123.
- ^ Blackman 1972, p. 103.
- ^ Couhat 1986, p. 120.
- ^ Couhat 1986, p. 96.
- ^ Couhat 1986, p. 76.
- ^ Gardiner, Chumbley & Budzbon 1995, pp. 122–123.
- ^ "À BORD DU SOUS-MARIN LE REDOUTABLE". Cite de la Mer (in French).
References
- Blackman, Raymond V. B., ed. (1972). Jane's Fighting Ships 1972–73. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Company. OCLC 28197951.
- Couhat, Jean Labayle, ed. (1986). Combat Fleets of the World 1986/87. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-85368-860-5.
- Gardiner, Robert; Chumbley, Stephen & Budzbon, Przemysław, eds. (1995). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1947–1995. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-55750-132-7.
- Miller, David (1982). O'Neill, Richard (ed.). An Illustrated Guide to Modern Submarines. Arco. ISBN 0-66805-495-6.