FS Rubis (S601)

FS Rubis (S601) History

Although the Rubis class is of the same generation as the Redoutable, the Rubis program only started after President Charles de Gaulle's insistence on developing a nuclear deterrent for France after acquiring the submarine ballistic missile program in 1974. The first Rubis hull was laid in December 1976 and launched in 1979.

Amethyst Reconstruction

It turns out that the original design of Rubis had an unexpectedly high noise problem. This led to the Amethyste Noise Reduction Program (AMElioration Tactique HYdrodynamique Silence Transmission Ecoute, literally Silent Acoustic Transmission Tactical Hydrodynamic Improvement) applied to the fifth (S605 Amethyste) and sixth (S606 Perle) hulls.

Amethyste and Perle are both longer than the original Rubis at 73.6 m (241 ft) and 72 m (236 ft) respectively, the plan includes sonar upgrades, hull shape and bow redesign to accommodate improved sound insulation and additional Electronic equipment upgrades. The original 4 boats were rebuilt to the same standard between 1989 and 1995 with upgrade testing and validation.

Design

They have a central computer system for submarine detection, processing information, and firing weapons. The fuselage is made of 80 HLES high elastic steel. The sonar dome and sail are made of composite material.

The submarine has a crew of two, "Blue" and "Red," who take turns working on board every three months.

They will be replaced by the second generation Barracuda.

Specification

BASICS

Year of Service

1983

Origins

France

Status

In service

supplement

70

staff

Class information

Class

The Rubis class

Class Size

6

ships

Class

FS Rubis (FS Provence) (S601); FS Sapphire (FS Brittany) (S?????); FS Casablanca (Burgogne) (S603); FS Emeraude (S604); FS Amethyst (S605) ; FS Pearl (S606); FS Turquoise (S607) (cancelled); FS Diamat (S608) (cancelled)

Operator

France

Roles

Underwater Attack

Move subsurface to find, track and/or attack or reconnaissance areas.

Offshore Operations

Nearshore activities in support of Allied activities.

Sea Patrol

Active patrolling of critical waterways and sea areas; also serves as a local deterrent against air and maritime threats.

Fleet Support

Provide support (fire or materiel) to major surface fleets in blue water environments.

Dimensions and Weight

Length

241. 0 feet

73.46m

Ray

25. 0 feet

7.62m

Draft

21. 0 feet

6.40m

Shift

2,400 t

No. submerged

2,600 t

Power and Performance

Installed Power:

1 x K48 pressurized water nuclear reactor unit, rated at 64,000 hp, with 2 turbo generators and 1 electric motor (9,400 hp) driving 1 shaft.

Surface Velocity

18. 0 nodes

(20.7 km/h)

Underwater speed

section 25.5

(29.3 km/h)

Area

essentially infinite

Weapon

4 x 533 mm (21 in) torpedo tube (bow end) with 14 x torpedo reloads. 14x SM is supported. 39 Flying Fish anti-ship missiles or mines instead of torpedo stocks.

Aircraft

None.