SSN Tourville Sets Sail on Its Inaugural Testing Expedition

After the Suffren’s first maritime assessments on April 28, 2020, and those for the Duguay-Trouin, the second vessel in the lineup, on March 25, 2023, a remarkable milestone has been achieved in the progress of the Barracuda program SSNs, highlighted by the inaugural sea trials of the Tourville on July 12th, 2024. The submarine will now undergo a series of evaluations to gauge its capabilities ahead of its anticipated delivery by the end of 2024.

The Tourville stands as the third submarine in the Barracuda project, supervised by the French General Armament Directorate (DGA) in conjunction with the French Atomic Energy and Alternative Energy Commission (CEA) concerning the nuclear propulsion elements. This endeavor aims to upgrade the Ruby-class SSNs currently functioning within the French Navy. Naval Group is charged with the creation of these submarines, managing everything from the design to construction, while also producing the primary components of the nuclear boilers, designed and manufactured in collaboration with TechnicAtome. Furthermore, Naval Group is responsible for providing logistical assistance and maintaining the submarines in Toulon.

The first maritime tests of the Tourville follow the commissioning of its nuclear reactor compartment in April 2024 and the dock trials conducted since the submarine’s relocation to its launching site on July 20, 2023. The operations carried out in the integration bay, both in dry and wet conditions, allowed for preliminary evaluations of the equipment and systems at the dock.

The Barracuda fleet is advancing steadily, and the momentum is increasing: the remaining three submarines in the program (de Grasse, Rubis, and Casabianca) are all in various stages of construction. Their deliveries will occur at a rate of one every two years until 2030. With a service life extending over 30 years, the Barracuda program ensures operational capabilities for the submarine forces until at least 2060, establishing it as one of the key defense systems of this millennium.

It is crucial to note that once the Tourville is incorporated into active duty, the French Navy will maintain a larger fleet of Suffren-class submarines as opposed to Rubis-class submarines.

Pierre Eric Pommellet, CEO of Naval Group remarked: “The Barracuda series represents a significant industrial collaboration. It brings together our workforce, partners, and subcontractors. I wish to underscore the steadfast commitment and proficiency of our teams alongside those of TechnicAtome, DGA, CEA, and the French Navy. Thanks to the dedication of all these stakeholders, we can respond swiftly and effectively to the needs of the French Navy and France.”

Industrial Excellence on a Local and National Stage

The production of these submarines involves a diverse array of remarkable skills and expertise, particularly within the most advanced technological domains. The Barracuda program depends on the proficiency of Naval Group across its various sites, alongside TechnicAtome’s production facilities and numerous collaborating enterprises.

This project embodies the collective endeavors of hundreds of partners in the defense industrial and technological sectors who have partnered with Naval Group over numerous decades:

• Years of effort were crucial to assess the viability of the project, culminating in the design of a submarine that meets the operational requirements of this exceptionally ambitious undertaking from both technological and military perspectives;
• Since the project’s initiation, nearly 10,000 individuals from the program management and industrial subcontracting chain have contributed to the Barracuda program;
• A current total of 2,500 personnel (including approximately 800 from Naval Group subcontractors) are actively involved in the Barracuda series;
• Since 2015, between 400 and 600 individuals have been dedicated to the construction of the Tourville.

Barracuda: French Excellence in Naval Technology

Crafted to meet the operational needs of both contemporary and future naval forces, the Suffren-class SSN possesses extensive operational capabilities and cutting-edge technologies. More versatile, powerful, and armed than its predecessors, the Suffren-type SSN will enable the Navy to function more rapidly and effectively. It is designed to exert dominance over various maritime environments, from open seas to coastal regions.

This submarine is equipped with nuclear propulsion, providing an impressive operational range and stealth capabilities. It also features cutting-edge communication technologies that facilitate seamless integration within a naval fleet.

The Suffren-type SSN is among the most covert submarines globally. This characteristic, in concert with its advanced detection systems, guarantees its acoustic superiority. With enhanced autonomy, these submarines are also more agile and mobile thanks to their superior navigation and communication systems and their centralized, automated navigation controls. A notable advancement is the optronic mast, which replaces the telescopic mast, ensuring exceptional visual information collection and sharing among the crew. This state-of-the-art feature, coupled with advanced detection technologies, solidifies the supremacy of these SSNs in intelligence missions.

The Barracuda-class submarines will also afford the French Navy a tactical advantage in combat, courtesy of the naval cruise missiles (MdCN) produced by MBDA, equipping it with deep-water precision strike capabilities for the first time. They are additionally outfitted with the F21 heavyweight torpedo manufactured by Naval Group and MBDA’s SM39 anti-ship missile. Moreover, these SSNs boast enhanced capabilities for the discreet deployment of special forces underwater.

Technical Specifications of the Barracuda

• Surface displacement: 4,700 tonnes;
• Diving displacement: 5,200 tonnes;
• Length: 99 metres; Diameter: 8.8 metres;
• Armament: naval cruise missiles, F21 heavyweight wire-guided torpedoes, enhanced Exocet SM39 anti-ship missiles;
• Hybrid propulsion: pressurized water reactor derived from reactors aboard the Triomphant-type SSBN and Charles-de-Gaulle aircraft carrier, two propulsion turbines, two turbo generators, and two electric motors;
• Crew: 65 crew members + commandos;
• Availability: > 270 days per year.