NAVYPEDIA

Photo

Rubis 2003 Many thanks to Wolfgang Stöhr for additional information on this page.

Ships

Name	No	Yard No	Builder	Laid down	Launched	Comp	Fate
Rubis (ex-Provence)	S601	Q84	Arsenal de Cherbourg	11.12.1976	7.7.1979	23.2.1983	in service (2019)
Saphir (ex-Bretagne)	S602	Q85	Arsenal de Cherbourg	1.9.1979	1.9.1981	6.7.1984	in service (2019)
Casabianca (ex-Bourgogne)	S603	Q86	Arsenal de Cherbourg	19.9.1981	22.12.1984	13.5.1987	in service (2019)
Émeraude	S604		Arsenal de Cherbourg	4.3.1983	12.4.1986	15.9.1988	in service (2019)

Technical data

Data variant	as completed	AMÉTHYSTE modernization
Displacement standard, t	2265	2280
Displacement normal, t	2385 / 2670	2410 / 2680
Length, m	72.1	73.6
Breadth, m	7.60	7.60
Draught, m	6.40	6.45
No of shafts	1	1
Machinery	1 K48 nuclear reactor, 2 turbo-generators, 1 electric motor	1 K48 nuclear reactor, 2 turbo-generators, 1 electric motor
Power, h. p.	9500	9500
Max speed, kts	/ 25	/ 26.5
Fuel, t	nuclear	nuclear
Endurance, nm(kts)	practically unlimited	practically unlimited
Armament	S601: 4 - 550 TT (bow, 14) S602-604: 4 - 550 TT (bow, 14, inc. SM39 Exocet SSM (4 SM39))	4 - 550 TT (bow, 14, inc. SM39 Exocet SSM (4 SM39) or 32 mines)
Electronic equipment	DRUA-33 radar, DSUV-22, DUUA-2B, DUUX-5, DSUV-62 towed array sonars, ARUR-12, ARUD ECM suites, SADE CCS	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	57	70
Diving depth operational, m	300	300

Standard scale images

Graphics

Project history

The first French sous-marin nuclèaire de chasse was authorised in 1964. Reportedly named Rubis, it was to have displaced 4000t and was to be armed with four torpedo tubes. The order was cancelled in 1968, the year in which construction was due to begin, and it was stated that SSNs would be included in the new programme.

When the new design materialised it was for a submarine smaller than any SSN in service with the major world navies. In effect it was a nuclear-powered adaptation of the Agosta design, the rationale being that a large programme would be economically feasible only if the SSNs were equipped with weapons and sensors already in production.

The comparatively small size of the SNA 72 was made possible by the development of a compact, integrated reactor-exchanger with turbo-electric drive. Natural circulation is sufficient at lower speeds, thereby reducing noise emissions. There are two turbo-alternators, the larger unit generating power for the main electric motor while the smaller of the two provides power for the boat's auxiliary systems. A small emergency motor powered by a diesel generator is capable of driving the submarine for 50nm in the event of reactor failure.

Unlike the Agosta, the Rubis is of single-hull construction, with high-tensile Marel steel ensuring a diving depth of 300m. The corresponding increase in the diameter of the pressure hull has enabled three decks to be worked in beneath and immediately abaft the fin.

The forward diving planes are carried high on the conning tower. Operation of all control surfaces is by hydraulic-electric remote control; the one-man console has an autopilot facility with manual override. A DSUV-62 towed array has been added since completion. Saphir was the first boat to deploy the SM39 Exocct SSM; Rubis was subsequently retro-fitted to fire the missile. All four boats are currently being upgraded to Améthyste standard to improve their ASW capabilities.

Endurance is rated at 45 days (60 days maximum). Unusually for SSNs, these boats have a twin-crew system similar to that of their ballistic missile counterparts. The annual operating cycle allows for 210 days active service.

Modernizations

mid-1980s, Rubis: + ability to launch SM39 Exocet SSM (4 SM39)

1991, Saphir; 1993, Rubis; 1994, Casabianca; 1995, Émeraulde, as modernized to AMÉTHYSTE standard (data is given in the table)

2007, Saphir, Casabianca; 2008, Rubis, Émeraude: - ARUR-13 ECM suite, TITAC CCS; + DALI ECM suite, Dilsat torpedo decoys, TITLAT CCS

Naval service

Rubis collided with a tanker Lyria 17.8.1993 and has undergone extensive repairs.

Many thanks to Wolfgang Stöhr for additional information on this page.