NAVYPEDIA

Photo

Améthyste 2008

Ships

Name	No	Yard No	Builder	Laid down	Launched	Comp	Fate
Améthyste	S605		Arsenal de Cherbourg	31.10.1983	14.5.1988	3.3.1992	in service (2019)
Perle	S606		Arsenal de Cherbourg	22.3.1987	22.9.1990	7.7.1993	in service (2019)

Technical data

Displacement standard, t	2280
Displacement normal, t	2410 / 2680
Length, m	73.6
Breadth, m	7.60
Draught, m	6.45
No of shafts	1
Machinery	1 K48 nuclear reactor, 2 turbo-generators, 1 electric motor
Power, h. p.	9500
Max speed, kts	/ 26.5
Fuel, t	nuclear
Endurance, nm(kts)	practically unlimited
Armament	4 - 550 TT (bow, 14, inc. SM39 Exocet SSM (4 SM39) or 32 mines)
Electronic equipment	DRUA-33 radar, DMUX-20 sonar suite (DSUV-22, DUUA-2B, DUUX-5, DSUV-62C towed array, DUUG-2 sonars), ARUR-13 ECM suite, TITAC CCS
Complement	70
Diving depth operational, m	300

Standard scale images

Graphics

Project history

The Rubis class proved to be generally successful, but were significantly noisier than their British and US counterparts, which limited their effectiveness against other submarines. The reduction of noise emissions was therefore the priority for the second group of SNA. Améthyste is not only the name of the lead-submarine of the class, but is an acronym for AMElioration Tactique, HYdrodynamique, Silence, Transmission, Écoute (= tactical, hydrodynamic, silencing and sonar improvement).

The hull has an improved body-of-revolution configuration with a lengthened bow section constructed of composites. This bow is being retro-fitted to the Rubis class, which were brought up to the same acoustic standard as the Améthyste.

The pressure hull is of high-tensile HLES 80 steel. They had the new DMUX-20 multi-function search and attack sonar suite, improved communications and a new tactical data system. The propulsion system is essentially that of Rubis, but with greater attention given to the flexible mounting of machinery.

Construction was delayed by budgetary problems, and the third boat S607 Turquoise, ordered 24.4.1990, was never begun and cancelled in September 1992. Fourth boat, S608 Diamant, was planned but never ordered, planes to built her were abandoned in September 1991.

Modernizations

2006, Améthyste; 2009, Perle: - ARUR-13 ECM suite, TITAC CCS; + DALI ECM suite, Dilsat torpedo decoys, TITLAT CCS

Naval service

No significant events.