Le Triomphant class submarine
Encyclopedia
The Triomphant class of ballistic missile submarine
s of the French Navy
is the active class of four boats that entered service in 1997, 1999, 2004, and 2010. These four supersede the older Redoutable-class, and they provide the ocean-based component (the Force océanique stratégique
) of France's nuclear deterrent strike force, the Force de Frappe
.
The first three boats are all armed with the French-produced and armed M45 intermediate-range missile
, and the fourth vessel Terrible, has tested and is equipped with the more advanced M51 missile
. Each of the first three boats are to be retrofitted to the M51 missile
standard, starting with Vigilant in Winter 2010, then Triomphant and ending with Téméraire in 2018.
This class reportedly produces approximately 1/1000 of the detectable noise of the Redoutable-class boats (submarines), and they are ten times more sensitive in detecting other submarines. Initially armed with the M45 Missile, they are designed to carry the new M51 missile
, which entered active service in 2010. , an M51 has been test-fired from one of these submarines across the Atlantic Ocean from near France to the west, and is equipped on the Terrible.
These boats were all constructed by the DCNS, and they carry an armament of 16 M45 SLBM
or M51 SLBM
missiles manufactured by the Aérospatiale
company (now EADS Astrium Space Transportation.), plus conventional torpedo
es and Exocet
anti-ship missile
s.
's Vanguard-class submarines
), of which two of the French boats are expected to be on patrol at any given time.
with the Royal Navy submarine . The Triomphant was reported to have proceeded to Brest
under her own power, submerged, but with extensive damage to her sonar dome.
Ballistic missile submarine
A ballistic missile submarine is a submarine equipped to launch ballistic missiles .-Description:Ballistic missile submarines are larger than any other type of submarine, in order to accommodate SLBMs such as the Russian R-29 or the American Trident...
s of the French Navy
French Navy
The French Navy, officially the Marine nationale and often called La Royale is the maritime arm of the French military. It includes a full range of fighting vessels, from patrol boats to a nuclear powered aircraft carrier and 10 nuclear-powered submarines, four of which are capable of launching...
is the active class of four boats that entered service in 1997, 1999, 2004, and 2010. These four supersede the older Redoutable-class, and they provide the ocean-based component (the Force océanique stratégique
Force Océanique Stratégique
The Force océanique stratégique is the ballistic missile submarine force of the French Navy. It is one of the two components of the submarine forces of the French Navy and the sea-based component of the French nuclear deterrent.- History :The FOST was created in the early 1960s, around the need...
) of France's nuclear deterrent strike force, the Force de Frappe
Force de frappe
The Force de Frappe is the designation of what used to be a triad of air-, sea- and land-based nuclear weapons intended for dissuasion, and consequential deterrence...
.
The first three boats are all armed with the French-produced and armed M45 intermediate-range missile
M45 SLBM
The M45 SLBM is the current standard French Navy's submarine launched ballistic missile...
, and the fourth vessel Terrible, has tested and is equipped with the more advanced M51 missile
M51 SLBM
The M51 SLBM is a submarine-launched ballistic missile, built by EADS Astrium Space Transportation, and deployed with the French Navy. Designed to replace the M45 SLBM The M51 SLBM is a submarine-launched ballistic missile, built by EADS Astrium Space Transportation, and deployed with the French...
. Each of the first three boats are to be retrofitted to the M51 missile
M51 SLBM
The M51 SLBM is a submarine-launched ballistic missile, built by EADS Astrium Space Transportation, and deployed with the French Navy. Designed to replace the M45 SLBM The M51 SLBM is a submarine-launched ballistic missile, built by EADS Astrium Space Transportation, and deployed with the French...
standard, starting with Vigilant in Winter 2010, then Triomphant and ending with Téméraire in 2018.
SNLE-NG
In French, these are called Sous-Marin Nucléaire Lanceur d'Engins de Nouvelle Génération (English: "Next Generation Missile-Launching Nuclear Submarine"), abbreviated as SNLE-NG. They have replaced all of the Redoutable-class boats, with the last of those six boats being decommissioned in 2008. These submarines carry 16 Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile launching tubes apiece.This class reportedly produces approximately 1/1000 of the detectable noise of the Redoutable-class boats (submarines), and they are ten times more sensitive in detecting other submarines. Initially armed with the M45 Missile, they are designed to carry the new M51 missile
M51 SLBM
The M51 SLBM is a submarine-launched ballistic missile, built by EADS Astrium Space Transportation, and deployed with the French Navy. Designed to replace the M45 SLBM The M51 SLBM is a submarine-launched ballistic missile, built by EADS Astrium Space Transportation, and deployed with the French...
, which entered active service in 2010. , an M51 has been test-fired from one of these submarines across the Atlantic Ocean from near France to the west, and is equipped on the Terrible.
These boats were all constructed by the DCNS, and they carry an armament of 16 M45 SLBM
M45 SLBM
The M45 SLBM is the current standard French Navy's submarine launched ballistic missile...
or M51 SLBM
M51 SLBM
The M51 SLBM is a submarine-launched ballistic missile, built by EADS Astrium Space Transportation, and deployed with the French Navy. Designed to replace the M45 SLBM The M51 SLBM is a submarine-launched ballistic missile, built by EADS Astrium Space Transportation, and deployed with the French...
missiles manufactured by the Aérospatiale
Aérospatiale
Aérospatiale was a French aerospace manufacturer that built both civilian and military aircraft, rockets and satellites. It was originally known as Société Nationale Industrielle Aérospatiale...
company (now EADS Astrium Space Transportation.), plus conventional torpedo
Torpedo
The modern torpedo is a self-propelled missile weapon with an explosive warhead, launched above or below the water surface, propelled underwater towards a target, and designed to detonate either on contact with it or in proximity to it.The term torpedo was originally employed for...
es and Exocet
Exocet
The Exocet is a French-built anti-ship missile whose various versions can be launched from surface vessels, submarines, helicopters and fixed wing aircraft. Hundreds were fired in combat during the 1980s.-Etymology:...
anti-ship missile
Anti-ship missile
Anti-ship missiles are guided missiles that are designed for use against ships and large boats. Most anti-ship missiles are of the sea-skimming type, many use a combination of inertial guidance and radar homing...
s.
List of submarines
The French Navy's goal is to operate a force of four ballistic missile submarines (comparable with the Royal NavyRoyal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
's Vanguard-class submarines
Vanguard class submarine
The Vanguard class are the Royal Navy's current nuclear ballistic missile submarines , each armed with up to 16 Trident II Submarine-launched ballistic missiles...
), of which two of the French boats are expected to be on patrol at any given time.
- Triomphant : Construction began on 9 June 1989; she was launched on 26 March 1994, and entered active service on 21 March 1997.
- Téméraire : Construction began on 18 December 1993; she was launched on 21 January 1998, and entered active service on 23 December 1999.
- Vigilant : Construction began in 1997; she was launched on 19 September 2003, and entered active service on 26 November 2004.
- Terrible : Construction began on 24 October 2000; she was launched on 21 March 2008, and entered active service on 20 September 2010.
An accident
On 3 February or 4 February 2009, the Triomphant apparently collidedHMS Vanguard and Triomphant submarine collision
The submarines HMS Vanguard and Le Triomphant collided in the Atlantic Ocean in the night between 3–4 February 2009. Both are nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines. The Royal Navy's HMS Vanguard and the French Navy's Le Triomphant both sustained damage, but no injuries or radiation...
with the Royal Navy submarine . The Triomphant was reported to have proceeded to Brest
Brest, France
Brest is a city in the Finistère department in Brittany in northwestern France. Located in a sheltered position not far from the western tip of the Breton peninsula, and the western extremity of metropolitan France, Brest is an important harbour and the second French military port after Toulon...
under her own power, submerged, but with extensive damage to her sonar dome.
See also
- France and weapons of mass destructionFrance and weapons of mass destructionFrance is known to have an arsenal of weapons of mass destruction. France is one of the five "Nuclear Weapons States" under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty; but is not known to possess or develop any chemical or biological weapons. France was the fourth country to test an independently...
- FOSTFoštFošt is a settlement at the foothills of the Pohorje range to the west if Slovenska Bistrica municipality in northeastern Slovenia. The area is part of the traditional region of Lower Styria. It is now included with the rest of the Slovenska Bistrica municipality into the Podravje statistical...