Redoutable class submarine
Encyclopedia
The Redoutable class submarine
is a ballistic missile submarine
class of the French Marine Nationale
. In French, the type is called Sous-marin Nucléaire Lanceur d'Engins (SNLE), literally "Missile-launching nuclear submarine". When commissioned, they constituted the strategic part of the naval component of the French nuclear triad, then called Force de frappe
(Clemenceau and Foch constituting the tactical part).
The class entered active service in 1971 with Redoutable, six submarines were built in total. All 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 The class has been superseded by the Triomphant class, firing the larger M45
missile (M51
from around 2010).
The first submarine, Redoutable, was ordered in 1963, built at Cherbourg, launched in 1967 and commissioned in 1971. Later submarines were very heavily upgraded from 1985 to fire the 2nd generation MIRV capable M4 missile - Tonnant was recommissioned in 1987; Indomptable in 1989; Terrible in 1990; and Foudroyant in 1993.
Ship list:
Submarine
A submarine is a watercraft capable of independent operation below the surface of the water. It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability...
is a ballistic missile submarine
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...
class of the French Marine Nationale
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...
. In French, the type is called Sous-marin Nucléaire Lanceur d'Engins (SNLE), literally "Missile-launching nuclear submarine". When commissioned, they constituted the strategic part of the naval component of the French nuclear triad, then called 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...
(Clemenceau and Foch constituting the tactical part).
The class entered active service in 1971 with Redoutable, six submarines were built in total. All 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, firing the larger M45
M45 SLBM
The M45 SLBM is the current standard French Navy's submarine launched ballistic missile...
missile (M51
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...
from around 2010).
The first submarine, Redoutable, was ordered in 1963, built at Cherbourg, launched in 1967 and commissioned in 1971. Later submarines were very heavily upgraded from 1985 to fire the 2nd generation MIRV capable M4 missile - Tonnant was recommissioned in 1987; Indomptable in 1989; Terrible in 1990; and Foudroyant in 1993.
Ship list:
- RedoutableRedoutable (S 611)The Redoutable was the lead ship of her class of ballistic missile submarine in the French Marine Nationale.Commissioned on 1 December 1971, she was the first French SNLE . She was fitted with 16 M1 ballistic missiles, delivering 450 kt at 2000 kilometres...
(1971–1991) - Terrible (1973–1996)
- Foudroyant (1974–1998)
- Indomptable (1976–2003)
- Tonnant (1980–1999, first M2 submarine)
- Inflexible (1985–2008, first M4M4 SLBMThe M4 was a French Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile deployed on the nuclear Le Redoutable class submarines They entered service on the 1 May 1985...
submarine)
External Links/Sources
- More Information
- An Illustrated Guide to Modern Submarines by David Miller