The Barracuda class is a planned nuclear attack submarine class of the French Navy, designed by the French shipbuilder DCNS to replace the Rubis-class submarines.
Barracudas will use technology from the Triomphant class, including pump jet propulsion. 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. They will be fitted with torpedo-tube-launch cruise missiles MDCN SCALP Naval for long-range (1000 km) strikes against land strategics targets. Their missions will include anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare, land attack, intelligence gathering, crisis management and special operations. The Barracuda will use X-shaped stern planes.
The Barracuda class nuclear reactor incorporates several improvements over that of the preceding Rubis. Notably, it extends the time between refuelling and complex overhauls (RCOHs) from 7 to 10 years, enabling higher at-sea availability.
In support of special operations missions, Barracudas may also accommodate up to 12 commandos, while carrying their equipment in a mobile pod attached aft of the sail.
On 22 December 2006 the French government placed a €7.9 billion order for six Barracuda submarines with DCN and their nuclear powerplants with Areva-Technicatome. According to the DGA “Competition at the subcontractor level will be open to foreign companies for the first time.” The first submarine will be delivered in 2016. Alain Aupetit, DCN's Barracuda programme director, said “The gap between the delivery of boats one and two will be two-and-a-half years.... After that, we will deliver one boat every two years through to the delivery of the last submarine in 2026.”
| Barracuda Class Submarine | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Barracuda |
| Builders: | DCNS |
| Operators: |  French Navy |
| Preceded by: | Rubis class |
| Cost: | Program cost, €8.7 billion Unit cost, €1.453 millions |
| Building: | 2 |
| Planned: | 6 |
| Completed: | 0 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Nuclear attack submarine |
| Displacement: | 4,765 t surfaced |
| Length: | 99.4 m (326 ft) |
| Beam: | 8,8 m (28.9 ft) |
| Draught: | 7,3 m (24.0 ft) |
| Decks: | 2 |
| Propulsion: | 2 turboreductors groups (10 MW propulsion alternator feeding electric engines) |
| Speed: | Over 25 knots (46 km/h) |
| Range: | 10 years (nuclear) |
| Complement: | 12 officers |
| Sensors and processing systems: | SYCOBS |
| Armament: | 4 × 533 mm tubes Exocet SM39 Block2 and missiles 20 x F21 heavyweight torpedoes |
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