FS Amethyste (S605)

History

In the mid-1970s, the French government approved a new type of nuclear-powered attack submarine for naval service, eight in total. The Rubis class became a group of compact submarine warships, eventually only six, two of which were cancelled. Led by FS Rubis (S601), the course will eventually include FS Saphir (S602), FS Casablanca (S603); FS Emeraude (S604), FS Amethyst (S605) and FS Pearl (S606).

With the exception of Casablanca, all are named after precious stones.

The

Rubis class was adopted to replace the aging Dahne class ships and has been replaced by the newer Barracuda class (better known as the Suffren class) described elsewhere on this page.

FS Amethyste (or L'Amethyste) was laid on 31 October 1983 and launched on 14 May 1988. She officially entered service with the French Navy on March 3, 1992, and on March 20 of that year, with Toulon as her home port. As of this writing (November 2017), she is still in service.

Enough changes have been made to the Amerthyste to make it the new standard in the Rubis class, all upgraded to match her quiet operation, improved fluid dynamics and the qualities of the engine process.

FS Amethyste is a nuclear powered submarine carrying a pressurized water K48 nuclear reactor in conjunction with a SEMT Pielstick 8PA4V185SM diesel generator, auxiliary engine, electric motor and 2 turbo generators. This arrangement enables the boat to go at speeds in excess of 25 knots (underwater), making it very fast and, thanks to its high-endurance nuclear power plant, it can travel indefinitely. Onboard supplies allow a crew of 68 to remain deployed for up to 60 days.

The hull was tested at a depth of just over 300 meters.

Airborne DMUX 20 series multifunction kit with ETBF DSUV 62C towed antenna and Kelvin Hughes 1007 radar. The submarine is also equipped with a DSUV 22 series microphone (hearing) system and a DRUA 33 model radar. The Thomson "Sintra" DMUX 20 is the sonar unit and the DSUV 62C is the towed array.

Electronic warfare (EW) is managed by the Thomson-CSF ARUR 13/DR 3000U kit.

Centered on 4 x 533 mm (21 in) torpedo tubes, all bow-shaped, these launchers can carry either the F17 Mod 2 torpedo series or Exocet SM anti-ship missiles. Fire 39 She can also transport marine and disperse mines as needed. Torpedo Loading No. 14.

Displaced 2,400 tons when surfaced and 2,670 tons when diving. Dimensions include a length of 241 feet, a beam of 25 feet, and a draft of 21 feet. Externally, the boat has a sleek, rounded bow with her sails set midship forward. The sails contained diving aircraft, which were mounted forward and on top of the conning tower.

The stern contains the rudder surface (cross pattern) and the propeller unit.

To date (2017) FS Amethyste has fought actively against Bosnia and its neighbours (as part of a NATO contingent there) in the 1999 Yugoslav campaign. In addition to the intelligence gathering, which the ship excels at, the submarine was also used as a channel-blocking platform against Serbian forces.

The ship has since been seen sailing various waters in Europe and heading to the Indian Ocean and the Persian Gulf region, helping to curb the latter's piracy off Somalia.

Specification

Basic

Roles

Dimensions

Weight

Performance

Performance

Armor

Wing