New-Generation Nuclear-Powered Ballistic Missile Submarine by France

Le Triomphant (S616) is the French Navy’s ballistic missile nuclear-powered submarine (SSBN), intended to replace the L'Inflexible M4 class SSBN's. The submarine was designed and built at DCN's Cherbourg shipyard. This first-of-class submarine was launched in July 1993 and entered service in 1997. The second, Le Temeraire (S617), entered service in January 2000. Construction of third Le Vigilant (S618),completed in 2004. Fourth and last Le Triomphant-class new-generation nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine rolled out on 26 Mar 2008.

The submarine carries 16 vertically launched M45 ballistic missiles.The new enhanced M51 missile, due to enter service in 2008, will carry a warhead with twelve MIRVS, and increased range of 8,000km.The submarine has four 533mm torpedo tubes and has the capacity to carry a mixed load of 18 ECAN L5 Mod 3 torpedoes and Exocet missiles. The Le Terrible will be assigned to the French Navy’s Strategic Ocean Force (FOST).

SSBN Le Terrible, the construction of which began in 2000, is the first to be equipped with the SAD M51 weapon deterrent system. The other three Le Triomphant-class boats will be upgraded to carry M51 missiles as they come up for refit.

The French defence procurement agency (DGA) appointed DCNS as prime contractor for the SNLE-NG or new-generation SSBN programme back in 1986. The development and construction of these cutting-edge naval assets has mobilised the resources not only of DCNS, the DGA and the French Navy but also those of the French atomic energy commission (CEA) and a host of industrial firms, laboratories and university departments.

SSBN Le Terrible will be fully fitted out and ready to serve with the Strategic Ocean Force in 2010.

Technical data for SSBN Le Terrible
-- Length overall: 138 metres
-- Diameter: 12.5 metres
-- Displacement, surfaced: 12,640 tonnes
-- Displacement, submerged: 14,300 tonnes
-- Speed, submerged: >25 knots
-- Complement: 111
-- Strategic weapons: 16 type M51 SLBMs
-- Tactical weapons for self-defence: torpedoes and type SM39 missiles

About DCNS Group
The DCNS group is one of Europe’s leading players on the world market for naval defence systems. To meet customer demands for more comprehensive and integrated systems, DCNS acts as prime contractor for naval shipbuilding, integration and support by combining its own development, marketing and production capabilities with those of selected partners. To manage the complexity of such projects, DCNS draws on in-house expertise in naval architecture, systems engineering, ship assembly and integration and equipment design and production as well as through-life support. The DCNS group employs some 13,000 people and generates annual revenues of around EUR 2.8 billion.