Submarine: A Guided Tour Inside a Nuclear Warship

^LTD.

Class name: Le Redoubtable

Producer (country/manufacturer): France/DCAN, Cherbourg

Displacement (surfaced/submerged): 8,000/9,000

Dimensions (ft/m): Length: 419.8/128 Beam: 34.8/10.6 Draft: 32.8/10

Armament: Sixteen M4 SLBMs; four 533mm torpedo tubes with 12 weapons

Machinery: One PWR with steam turbines driving one 7-bladed screw; 16,000 SHP

Speed (knots): 20 (submerged)

Number in class: 4

Users: France

Comments: The first class of SSBNs constructed by the French Navy and, in fact, the first nuclear ship built indigenously in Europe. Le Redoubtable was decommissioned in December 1991; all others in the class undergoing modernization to L'Inflexible standard.

^{Agosta (French). JACK RYAN ENTERPRISES, LTD.}

Class name: Agosta

Producer (country/manufacturer): France/DCAN, Cherbourg

Displacement (surfaced/submerged): 1,490/1,740

Dimensions (ft/m): Length: 221.7/67.6 Beam: 22.3/6.8 Draft: 17.7/5.4

Armament: Four 550mm torpedo tubes with 20 weapons

Machinery: Diesel-electric drive with one 7-bladed screw; 4,600 SHP

Speed (knots): 20 (submerged)

Number in class: 4

Users: France, Pakistan, Spain

Comments: The last general purpose diesel-electric subs built by the French. An excellent design, they are being upgraded to the standards of the Amethyst class.

^{Dauphne (French). JACK RYAN ENTERPRISES, LTD.}

Class name: Dauphne

Producer (country/manufacturer): France/DCAN, Cherbourg

Displacement: (surfaced/submerged): 869/1,043

Dimensions (ft/m): Length: 188.9/57.6 Beam: 22.2/6.8 Draft: 17.4/5.3

Armament: Twelve 550mm torpedo tubes with 12 weapons

Machinery: Diesel-electric drive with two 3-bladed screws; 2,000 SHP

Speed (knots): 16 (submerged)

Number in class: 19

Users: France, Pakistan, Portugal, Spain, South Africa

Comments: Older SSK (diesel-electric submarine) design, though quite successful. Extensively upgraded, the class continues in service today.

United Kingdom

Of all the nations that operate submarines, none holds closer institutional and engineering ties to the United States than the United Kingdom. Currently the U.K. sub force is undergoing its own downsizing after several decades of steady growth. Part of this is due to financial constraints, though the entire 'V' class of SSNs is being retired rather prematurely because of hydrogen embrittlement of valves and other plumbing fixtures in their propulsion plants. As this book is being written, the British are headed for a force of twelve SSNs (Swiftsure and Trafalgar classes), four SSBNs (the Vanguard class), and four SSKs (diesel-electric submarines) (the Upholder class). Even this force may be whittled down, with the Upholders reportedly being considered for sale to export clients. As to future sub construction, the British would like to build a second batch of Trafalgars powered by the British-built PWR-2 power plant, though only the British Parliament and the Minister of Defence are able to determine whether this will happen.

^{Trafalagar (British). JACK RYAN ENTERPRISES, LTD.}

Class name: Trafalgar

Producer (country/manufacturer): United Kingdom/VSEL, Barrow-in-Furness

Displacement (surfaced/submerged): 4,700/5,208

Dimensions (ft/m): Length: 280.1/85.4 Beam: 32.2/9.8 Draft: 27.2/8.3

Armament: Five 533mm torpedo tubes with 25 weapons

Machinery: One PWR with steam turbines driving one pumpjet propulsor; 15,000 SHP

Speed (knots): 30 (submerged)Number in class: 7

Users: United Kingdom

Comments: Quite simply, the best SSN ever built by the British. This class is quick, quiet, and carries a substantial punch. If the Trafalgars have a weakness, it is the lack of an integrated combat system like the U.S. AN/BSY-1. A future upgrade known as Type 2076 may cure this. They handle well and are quite good boats for the money.

^{Swiftsure (British). JACK RYAN ENTERPRISES, LTD.}

Class name: Swiftsure

Producer (country/manufacturer): United Kingdom/VSEL, Barrow-in-Furness

Displacement (surfaced/submerged): 4,200/4,500

Dimensions (ft/m): Length: 271.9/82.9 Beam: 32.2/9.8 Draft: 27.2/8.3

Armament: Five 533mm torpedo tubes with 25 weapons

Machinery: One PWR with steam turbines driving one pumpjet propulsor; 15,000 SHP

Speed (knots): 30 (submerged)

Number in class: 5

Users: United Kingdom

Comments: The oldest SSNs in the Royal Navy, the Swiftsures are fine boats that have been upgraded in refits to almost the same standard as the Trafalgars.

Class name: Trafalgar Batch II (?)

Producer (country/manufacturer): United Kingdom/VSEL, Barrow-in-Furness

Displacement (surfaced/submerged): [?] 5,200 (submerged)

Dimensions (ft/m): (unknown)

Armament: Five 533mm torpedo tubes with 30 weapons

Machinery: One PWR with steam turbines driving one pumpjet propulsor; 15,000 SHP

Speed (knots): [?] 30 (submerged)

Number in class:?

Users: United Kingdom

Comments: The big 'If' in the future of the Royal Navy. These boats, if they are ever built, will be powered by the British PWR-2 reactor, and may be equipped with cruise missiles.

^{Upholder (British). JACK RYAN ENTERPRISES,}