Rubis-class submarine
{{Short description|French nuclear-powered attack submarine class}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2024}}
| {{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image | Ship image = FNS Amethyste (S605) visits Naval Submarine Base New London 210901-N-GR655-368.jpg | Ship caption = {{ship|French submarine|Améthyste|S605|2}} in August 2021 }} {{Infobox ship class overview | Name = Rubis class | Builders = Arsenal de Cherbourg (DCAN) | Operators = {{navy|France|name=Marine Nationale}} | Class before = *{{sclass|Daphné|submarine|4}}
| Class after = Suffren class | Subclasses = | Cost = | Built range = 1976–1990 | In commission range = 1983–present | Total ships building = | Total ships planned = 8 | Total ships completed = 6 | Total ships cancelled = 2 | Total ships active = 2 | Total ships laid up = | Total ships lost = | Total ships retired = 4 | Total ships preserved = }} {{Infobox ship characteristics | Hide header = | Header caption = | Ship type = Nuclear-powered attack submarine | Ship displacement = *{{cvt|2400|t|LT|lk=on}} (surfaced)
| Ship length = {{convert|73.6|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | Ship beam = {{convert|7.6|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | Ship draught = {{convert|6.4|m|ftin| abbr=on}} | Ship power = | Ship propulsion = * Pressurised water CAS-48 nuclear reactor (48 MW), LEU 7%
| Ship speed = {{convert|25|kn|lk=in}} | Ship range = {{nuclear ship range}} | Ship endurance = 45 days | Ship test depth = >{{convert|300|m|abbr=on}} | Ship complement = | Ship sensors = *DMUX 20 active/passive sonar
| Ship EW = ARUR 13 | Ship armament = * 4 × {{convert|533|mm|in|0|abbr=on}} torpedo tubes
| Ship notes = }} |
The Rubis class is a class of nuclear-powered attack submarines operated by the French Navy. It originally comprised six boats, the first entering service in 1983 and the last in 1993. Two additional units originally planned were cancelled as a result of post-Cold War budget cuts. All submarines of the Rubis class have been based at Toulon and are part of the Escadrille de sous-marins nucléaires d'attaque. Smaller than contemporary designs of other major world navies, the Rubis class shares many of its system designs with the conventionally-powered {{sclass|Agosta|submarine|4}}. In the late 1980s, the Rubis class was proposed to Canada in the context of their plan to acquire nuclear-powered submarines.
The submarines of the class were built in two batches, with the final two built to an improved standard to reduce noise emissions that plagued the original design. Dubbed the AMÉTHYSTE rebuild, the first four hulls were refitted to its standard until they were practically indistinguishable from the final two hulls.
The Rubis class is being phased out and replaced with a new generation of nuclear-powered attack submarines, the {{sclass|Suffren|submarine|4}}. The lead boat, {{ship|French submarine|Suffren||2}}, entered operational service in June 2022. Four of the six Rubis-class submarines, Saphir, Rubis, Casabianca and Émeraude have been decommissioned in 2019, 2022, 2023 and 2024 respectively.
Background and design
File:Rubis class submarine-2.svg
File:Rubis class submarine.svg
The Rubis class was the second attempt at constructing a nuclear-powered attack submarine. The first, also dubbed Rubis, had been authorised in 1964 but cancelled in 1968, just as the first boat was about to commence construction. However, a new naval plan in 1972, called Plan Bleu, stated a requirement for 20 attack submarines of both nuclear-powered and conventionally-powered types.{{sfn|Jordan|1995|p=96}} The new design, designated Type SNA 72 and called a sous-marin nucléaire de chasse ({{langx|fr|nuclear attack submarine}}) was smaller than any contemporary nuclear-powered attack submarine design in other major world navies. The small hull design was capable due the development of a compact, integrated nuclear reactor-exchanger with turbo-electric drives.{{sfn|Jordan|1995|p=124}} Even then, the project was only considered feasible if equipped with weapons and sensors already in service, with the fire-control, torpedo-launching and submarine-detection systems also found in the {{sclass|Agosta|submarine|4}}.{{sfn|Jordan|1995|p=124}}{{sfn|Couhat|1986|p=121}}
As built the first four submarines of the class measured {{convert|72.1|m|ftin}} long overall with a beam of {{cvt|7.6|m|ftin}} and a draught of {{cvt|6.4|m|ftin}}. The Rubis class had a standard displacement of {{convert|2265|t|LT|lk=on}}, {{cvt|2385|t|LT}} surfaced and {{cvt|2670|t|LT}} submerged.{{sfn|Couhat|1986|p=121}} The boats are of single-hull construction made of 80 HLES high elasticity steel and the forward diving planes are situated high on the conning tower. The Rubis class can dive to depths over {{cvt|300|m}}.{{sfn|Jordan|1995|p=124}}
The submarines are powered by a CAS-48 pressurised water nuclear reactor creating 48 megawatts utilising 7% low-enriched uranium,{{cite thesis |url=https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/18321557.pdf |title=Examination of Proposed Conversion of the U.S. Navy Nuclear Fleet from Highly Enriched Uranium to Low Enriched Uranium |last=McCord |first=Cameron |publisher=Massachusetts Institute of Technology |type=Bachelor of Science |date=June 2013 |page=24 |access-date=18 October 2022}} driving two 3,950-kilowatt turbo-alternator sets. These power a single propeller creating {{convert|9500|shp|lk=out|order=flip|abbr=on}}.{{sfn|Wertheim|2013|p=200}} At low speeds, the submarines use natural circulation to reduce noise emissions. In case of a reactor failure, the Rubises have an emergency electric motor powered by batteries or a SEMT-Pielstick 16PA4 diesel generator set with an output of {{convert|480|kW|hp PS|abbr=on}}. On battery power, the vessel has a range of {{convert|50|nmi}} and endurance for 15 hours.{{sfn|Jordan|1995|p=124}}{{sfn|Wertheim|2013|p=200}} The submarines had a cruising{{fact|date=November 2023}} speed of {{convert|25|kn|lk=in}} and endurance of 45 days (60 days maximum). Manned by two (alternating) crews, they have an active yearly service of 240 days. The crew initially{{clarifyme|when not?|date=November 2023}} numbered 66, including 9 officers.{{sfn|Couhat|1986|p=121}}{{sfn|Wertheim|2013|p=200}}
Sharing sensors and weapons with the Agosta class, the Rubises have four {{convert|533|mm|0|adj=on}} torpedo tubes forward. They have stowage for a mix of 14 F17 Mod 2 torpedoes and SM39 Exocet anti-ship missiles. The submarines can fire and guide two torpedoes simultaneously. Instead of torpedoes, the submarine can embark{{clarifyme|how many?|date=November 2023}} FG 29 mines.{{sfn|Saunders|2009|p=244}} The submarines was initially fitted with a DRUA 33 navigation/search radar, ARUR and ARUD electronic warfare systems, DSUV 22 multi-function passive sonar array, DUUA 2B active sonar, and DUUX 2 acoustic intercept sonar.{{sfn|Couhat|1986|p=121}}
=AMÉTHYSTE rebuild=
The initial design of Rubis proved to be problematic with unexpectedly high noise levels. This led to the Améthyste silencing program (AMÉlioration Tactique HYdrodynamique Silence Transmission Ecoute, literally Silent Acoustic Transmission Tactical Hydrodynamic Improvement) which was applied during construction of the fifth (Améthyste) and sixth (Perle) hulls. The hull form was reshaped and lengthened to {{cvt|73.6|m|ftin}} while the superstructure and external bow were made of glass-reinforced plastic.{{sfn|Wertheim|2013|pp=200-201}} To further reduce noise emissions, the machinery was given flexible mountings.{{sfn|Jordan|1995|p=124}} The program included upgrades to the sonar and additional upgrades of the electronics. The Rubis class had a DSUB 62C towed passive sonar array, DUUG 2 sonar intercept, DMUX 20 sonar suite installed and had their acoustic intercept upgraded to DUUX 5. With the upgrades tested and proven, the original four boats were rebuilt to the same standards between 1989 and 1995 and were nearly identical to the final two ships of the class.{{sfn|Wertheim|2013|p=200}}{{sfn|Saunders|2009|p=244}}
Boats
| class=wikitable |
| colspan="7" |Rubis class construction data{{sfn|Jordan|1995|p=124}}{{sfn|Saunders|2009|p=244}} |
|---|
| scope="col"| Pennant
! scope="col"| Name ! scope="col"| Builder ! scope="col"| Laid down ! scope="col"| Launched ! scope="col"| Commissioned ! scope="col"| Status |
| scope="row"| S601
| {{ship|French submarine|Rubis|S601|2}} (ex-Provence) | rowspan="8"| DCNS, Cherboug, France | 11 December 1976 | 7 July 1979 | 23 February 1983 | Decommissioned November 2022 |
| scope="row"| S602
| {{ship|French submarine|Saphir|S602|2}} (ex-Bretagne) | 1 September 1979 | 1 September 1981 | 6 July 1984 | Decommissioned July 2019 |
| scope="row"| S603
| {{ship|French submarine|Casabianca|S603|2}} (ex-Bourgogne) | 19 September 1981 | 22 December 1984 | 21 April 1987 |
| scope="row"| S604
| {{ship|French submarine|Émeraude|S604|2}} | 4 March 1983{{efn|Jordan has the date as 1 March 1983{{sfn|Jordan|1995|p=124}}}} | 12 April 1986 | 15 September 1988 |
| scope="row"| S605
| {{ship|French submarine|Améthyste|S605|2}} | 31 October 1984 | 14 May 1988 | 3 March 1992 | In service |
| scope="row"| S606
| {{ship|French submarine|Perle|S606|2}} | 22 March 1987 | 22 September 1990 | 7 July 1993 | In service |
| scope="row"| S607
| Turquoise | colspan="4" align="center"| Cancelled 1991 |
| scope="row"| S608
| Diamant | colspan="4" align="center"| Cancelled 1992 |
Construction and career
The first hull was laid down in December 1976 and launched in 1979. The first ship cost 850 million French francs to build.{{cite news |title=Le premier sous-marin nucléaire d'attaque entrera en service avec plus de quatre mois de retard |trans-title=First nuclear attack submarine to enter service more than four months late |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/archives/article/1982/06/18/le-premier-sous-marin-nucleaire-d-attaque-entrera-en-service-avec-plus-de-quatre-mois-de-retard_2905238_1819218.html |language=fr |newspaper=Le Monde |last=Moirand |first=René |date=18 June 1982 |access-date=9 January 2021 |url-access=subscription}}{{cite web |title=Des Sous-Mariniers "Un Corps D'Elite" de la Marine nationale française |trans-title=Submariners an "Elite Corps" of the French Navy |url=https://www.culture.gouv.fr/Media/Thematiques/Patrimoine-ethnologique/Files/Rapports-de-recherche/2001-et-avant/Ethno_Geistdoerfer_1997_132.pdf |last=Geistdoerfer |first=Alice |date=June 1997 |publisher=Mission du patrimoine ethnologique Ministère de la Culture |language=fr |access-date=15 June 2021}} The first three vessels originally sported the names Provence, Bretagne and Bourgogne respectively, but their names were changed to their current monikers in November 1980.{{sfn|Wertheim|2013|p=200}} Rubis was financed via the Third Military Equipment Plan, and the following three hulls were part of the Fourth Military Equipment Plan.{{sfn|Couhat|1986|p=121}} Rubis{{'}} reactor went critical in February 1981 and trials began in June. Hulls five and six were ordered on 17 October 1984 and the seventh on 24 April 1990. However, plans for the eighth submarine of the class were cancelled in September 1991 and construction for the seventh was delayed. Eventually construction of the seventh hull was cancelled in June 1992, but not before the French Navy attempted to sell the vessel as a conventionally-powered submarine, but found no buyers.{{sfn|Wertheim|2013|p=200}} All six submarines are based at Toulon as part of the Escadrille de sous-marins nucléaires d'attaque.{{sfn|Saunders|2009|p=244}}
Saphir was the first to undergo the AMÉTHYSTE rebuild, being out of service from November 1989 to May 1991. Rubis followed from September 1992 to July 1993.{{sfn|Wertheim|2013|p=200}} On 20 August 1993, Rubis collided with the oil tanker Lyria.{{cite news | last=Simons | first=Marlis |date=August 1993 | title=Oil Spills as Nuclear Sub Hits a Tanker Off France | newspaper=The New York Times | url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F0CE0DB123FF933A1575BC0A965958260 | access-date=14 June 2008}} From 1993 to 1994, Casabianca underwent the AMÉTHYSTE rebuild. On 30 March 1994, Émeraude had a steam leakage in the secondary steam loop, suffering ten casualties including the vessel's commanding officer. Émeraude would undergo the AMÉTHYSTE rebuild from May 1994 to December 1995.{{sfn|Wertheim|2013|p=200}}
During the Péan inter-allied manoeuvres of 1998, Casabianca managed to "sink" the United States Navy aircraft carrier {{USS|Dwight D. Eisenhower|CVN-69|6}} and the {{sclass|Ticonderoga|cruiser|1}} that was escorting her.{{cite web |url=http://www.netmarine.net/bat/smarins/casabian/index.htm |title=Sous-marin nucléaire d'attaque Casabianca |language=fr |publisher=netmarine.net |date=2012 |access-date=22 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150310043358/http://www.netmarine.net/bat/smarins/casabian/index.htm |archive-date=10 March 2015 |url-status=live }} In September 2000 Saphir experienced excessive radioactivity in the primary reactor loop forcing the submarine to be withdrawn from service for six months to undergo recoring.{{sfn|Wertheim|2013|p=200}}
During COMPTUEX 2015, an exercise led by the United States Navy, Saphir successfully defeated the aircraft carrier {{USS|Theodore Roosevelt|CVN-71|6}} and her escort, managing to "sink" the US carrier. This was widely advertised by the French Navy but unmentioned by the US Navy.{{cite web |url=http://www.opex360.com/2015/03/04/marin-nucleaire-dattaque-francais-fictivement-coule-le-porte-avions-uss-theodore-roosevelt/ |title=Un sous-marin nucléaire d'attaque français a fictivement coulé le porte-avions USS Theodore Roosevelt |trans-title=A French nuclear attack submarine has fictitiously sunk the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt |work=opex360.com |language=fr |last=Lagneau |first=Laurent |date=4 March 2015 |access-date=18 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150509182904/http://www.opex360.com/2015/03/04/marin-nucleaire-dattaque-francais-fictivement-coule-le-porte-avions-uss-theodore-roosevelt/ |archive-date=9 May 2015 |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=https://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/2015-30-year-old-french-nuclear-submarine-sank-us-aircraft-18912/|title=In 2015, a 30 Year Old French Nuclear Submarine 'Sank' a U.S. Aircraft Carrier|work=The National Interest|date=21 December 2016|access-date=11 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171227052615/http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/2015-30-year-old-french-nuclear-submarine-sank-us-aircraft-18912|archive-date=27 December 2017|url-status=live}}
On 12 June 2020, Perle caught fire in dry dock while undergoing major renovations. The fire broke out around 10:35 local time in the forward section of the submarine and was described as being "unbelievably fierce". According to French naval sources, there were no weapons or nuclear fuel aboard at the time.{{Cite web|last=Mackenzie|first=Christina|date=16 June 2020|title=French submarine burns in 'unbelievably fierce fire' for 14 hours|url=https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2020/06/16/french-submarine-burns-in-unbelievably-fierce-fire-for-14-hours/|access-date=17 June 2020|website=Defense News}} In October 2020 it was announced that Perle would be repaired using the forward section of the decommissioned boat, Saphir. The repairs were projected to be completed in 2022 and her return to service was anticipated in 2023.{{cite web |url=https://www.meretmarine.com/fr/defense/sna-perle-remise-en-service-prevue-dans-un |title=SNA Perle : remise en service prévue dans un an |trans-title=SNA Perle: return to service scheduled in one year |work=Mer et Marine |language=fr |last=Groizeleau |first=Vincent |date=16 March 2022 |access-date=18 March 2022 |url-access=subscription}}{{cite web |url=https://www.navalnews.com/event-news/euronaval-2020/2020/10/euronaval-france-to-repair-fire-damaged-ssn-perle-with-forward-section-of-ssn-saphir/ |title=Euronaval: France To Repair Fire-Damaged SSN Perle With Forward Section Of SSN Saphir |last=Vavasseur |first=Xavier |work=Naval News |date=22 October 2020 |access-date=15 June 2021}} Perle returned to sea in May 2023 to begin post-refit sea trials.{{cite web | url=https://www.opex360.com/2023/05/19/le-sous-marin-nucleaire-dattaque-perle-a-effectue-sa-premiere-plongee-depuis-sa-modification/| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230519223625/https://www.opex360.com/2023/05/19/le-sous-marin-nucleaire-dattaque-perle-a-effectue-sa-premiere-plongee-depuis-sa-modification/| url-status=dead| archive-date=19 May 2023| title=Le sous-marin nucléaire d'attaque Perle a effectué sa première plongée depuis sa modification |website=zone militaire |last=Lagneau |first=Laurent | date=19 May 2023 }}
The French Navy started replacing the Rubis class with the {{sclass|Suffren|submarine|1}}s in 2020.{{sfn|Wertheim|2013|p=200}}
Proposed Canada class
In 1987, the Canadian White Paper on Defence recommended the purchase of 10 to 12 Rubis or {{sclass|Trafalgar|submarine|1}}s under technology transfer, which would be known as the {{sclass2|Canada|submarine|4}}.{{cite book |title=Challenge and Commitment: A Defence Policy for Canada |year=1987 |publisher=Department of National Defence (Canada) |location=Ottawa |isbn=0-660-12509-9 |pages=52–54 |url=http://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2012/dn-nd/D2-73-1987-eng.pdf |access-date=23 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130725234013/http://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2012/dn-nd/D2-73-1987-eng.pdf |archive-date=25 July 2013 |url-status=live }} with the choice of the type of submarine due to be confirmed before Summer 1988.{{cite book|title=Defence Update 1988-89|year=1989|publisher=Department of National Defence (Canada)|location=Ottawa|isbn=0-662-55733-6|url=http://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2012/dn-nd/D3-11-1989-eng.pdf|access-date=23 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130728031732/http://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2012/dn-nd/D3-11-1989-eng.pdf|archive-date=28 July 2013|url-status=live}} The goal was to build up a three-ocean navy and to assert Canadian sovereignty over Arctic waters.{{cite news |title=Canada's Arctic claims |first=Keith |last=Spicer |newspaper=Ottawa Citizen |date=10 September 2007 |url=http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/story.html?id=06b557bc-bbc0-4543-90e3-4da70001bef6 |access-date=22 November 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150127073729/http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/story.html?id=06b557bc-bbc0-4543-90e3-4da70001bef6 |archive-date=27 January 2015}}
Neither design met the Canadian Statement of Requirement (SOR), the initial Rubis design being deemed noisy underwater and slow. It also came with the caveat that the first 4–5 submarines would have to be built in France. However, unlike the British Trafalgar class, the Rubis design did not require United States permission to transfer the nuclear propulsion technology, as the Americans were certain to invoke their veto of the sale to Canada. The French brought back a revision to their design baptized Canadian AMETHYSTE, underlining the fact that the proposal was for the new standard carried by the fifth French submarine of the series, Améthyste, a standard the previous four boats would also soon be upgraded to in order to solve the issues plaguing the original design, notably the noisiness.{{sfn|Wertheim|2013|p=200}}{{sfn|Saunders|2009|p=244}} The French also added an "ice pick" so the submarine could operate under ice and were developing a modification for their torpedo tubes which were too short to use the Mark 48 torpedoes.{{cite book |last=Ferguson |first=Julie H. |year=1995 |title=Through a Canadian Periscope: The Story of the Canadian Submarine Service |publisher=Dundurn Press |location=Toronto |isbn=1-55002-217-2 |url=https://archive.org/details/throughcanadianp0000ferg |url-access=registration |pages=317–318}} The purchase was finally abandoned in April 1989 due to opposition to nuclear submarines, American opposition to the program and high costs, particularly with the end of the Cold War.{{cite book |last1=German |first1=Tony |year=1990 |title=The Sea is at Our Gates: The History of the Canadian Navy |publisher=McClelland & Stewart |location=Toronto |isbn=0-7710-3268-4 |url=https://archive.org/details/seaisatourgatesh00germ |url-access=registration|page=324}}{{cite book |last=Milner |first=Marc |year=2010 |title=Canada's Navy: The First Century |edition=Second |publisher=University of Toronto Press |location=Toronto |isbn=978-0-8020-9604-3|page=294}}
See also
Notes
{{notelist}}
Citations
{{reflist}}
References
- {{cite book |editor-last=Couhat |editor-first=Jean Labayle |year=1986 |title=Combat Fleets of the World 1986/87 |publisher=Naval Institute Press |location=Annapolis, Maryland |isbn=0-85368-860-5}}
- {{cite book |author1-last=Jordan |author1-first=John |name-list-style=amp |chapter=France |year=1995 |editor1-last=Chumbley |editor1-first=Stephen |title=Conway's All The World's Fighting Ships 1947–1995 |publisher=Naval Institute Press |location=Annapolis, Maryland |isbn=1-55750-132-7 |pages=95–131}}
- {{cite book |editor-last=Saunders |editor-first=Stephen |year=2009 |title=Jane's Fighting Ships 2009–2010 |publisher=Jane's Information Group Inc. |edition=112 |location=Alexandria, Virginia |isbn=978-0-7106-2888-6}}
- {{cite book |editor-last=Wertheim |editor-first=Eric |year=2013 |title=The Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World |edition=16th |publisher=Naval Institute Press |location=Annapolis, Maryland |isbn=9-7-815911-4954-5}}
External links
{{Commons|Rubis class submarine}}
- [http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/rubis/ SSN Rubis Amethyste Class, France]
{{Rubis class submarines}}
{{French Navy Vehicle}}
{{Current SSN}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rubis Class Submarine}}