NAVYPEDIA

Photo

Le Vigilant 2008

Ships

Name	No	Yard No	Builder	Laid down	Launched	Comp	Fate
Le Triomphant	S616		DCN, Cherbourg	9.6.1989	26.3.1994	21.3.1997	in service (2019)
Le Téméraire	S617		DCN, Cherbourg	18.12.1993	21.1.1998	23.12.1999	in service (2019)
Le Vigilant	S618		DCN, Cherbourg	1997	19.9.2003	29.11.2004	in service (2019)
Le Terrible	S619		DCN, Cherbourg	11/2002	21.3.2008	27.9.2010	in service (2019)

Technical data

Displacement standard, t
Displacement normal, t	12640 / 14335
Length, m	138.0
Breadth, m	12.5 hull 17.0 over planes
Draught, m	10.7
No of shafts	1 pump-jet
Machinery	1 K15 nuclear reactor, 2 turbo-generators, 1 electric motor
Power, h. p.	41500
Max speed, kts	12 / 25
Fuel, t	nuclear
Endurance, nm(kts)	practically unlimited
Armament	S616-618: 16 M-45 SLBM (16 M-45), 4 - 533 TT (bow, 18, inc. SM39 Exocet SSM (4 SM39)) S619: 16 M-51 SLBM (16 M-51), 4 - 533 TT (bow, 18, inc. SM39 Exocet SSM (4 SM39))
Electronic equipment	S616-618: DRUA-33 radar, DMUX-80 sonar suite, DUUV-23, DUUX-5, DSUV-61B towed array sonars, ARUR-13 ECM suite, Nemesis torpedo decoy launchers, SEAO/OPSMER CCS S619: DRUA-33 radar, UMS-3000 sonar suite, DUUG-7, DUUX-5, DSUV-61B towed array sonars, ARUR-13 ECM suite, Nemesis torpedo decoy launchers, SYCOBS CCS
Complement	111
Diving depth operational, m	400

Standard scale images

Graphics

Project history

This class replaced the first-generation SNLE of the Le Redoutable class. They have a superior hull-form and a reconfigured fin. The adoption of NLES 100 high-tensile steel gives them a 500m diving depth. Considerable attention has been paid to reducing noise emissions. The main propulsion machinery is raft-mounted, and the auxiliary machinery is suspended and isolated from the hull. There is a pump-jet. The 150MW K15 reactor is essentially the same model which powers the carrier Charles de Gaulle. It uses slightly enriched uranium, and must therefore be refuelled more frequently than US- and British-type PWRs which use highly enriched uranium. This helps to preserve French independence of foreign uranium enrichment facilities.

The sensor outfit includes the new DMUX 80 multi-function sonar suite, comprising passive bow and flank arrays. The first three units entered service with the M-45 missile. S619 was commissioned with the advanced M-51 missile aboard, carrying 6 (10-12 if needed) TN-75 MIRVs.

Modernizations

2012, Le Vigilant; 2014, Le Triomphant; 2018, Le Téméraire: - 16 M-45 SLBM, DMUX-80 sonar suite, SEAO/OPSMER CCS; + 16 M-51 SLBM (16 M-51), UMS-3000 sonar suite, SYCOBS CCS

Naval service

Le Triomphant was damaged 3.2.2009 in collision with British SSBN Vanguard and returned to service in October 2009.