Second Suffren-class SSN, "Duguay-Trouin" (S636), successfully completes first sea trials.
The information was shared on social media by the French Minister of the Armed Forces, Sébastien Lecornu, and the head of the French Navy, Admiral Vandier.
Success for the 1st sea trials of the SSN Duguay-Trouin! Congratulations to our submariners from the blue crew and to the state and industry teams for carrying out this essential step which marks the start of the sea trials of the 2nd ship of the Barracuda program
Admiral Vandier, Chief of staff of the French Navy
The Duguay-Trouin (S636) is the second Suffren-class SSN. The first sea trials, also known as “Alpha Trials”, was conducted off the Naval Group submarine shipyard of Cherbourg in Normandy, with the submarine setting sails Sunday 26 March. The actual trials were conducted March 27 and 28, during which the Barracuda submarine also performed its first dive successfully. The submarine is now back at the shipyard but sea trials will continue for several months in the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea.
The keel laying for the submarine took place in June 2009. In November 2021, the 4,500 tons hull was taken outside of the construction hall via 24 walkers. Duguay-Trouin was eventually launched in the summer of 2022 and its divergence (start of the nuclear boiler) took place on 30 September 2022.
First submarine of the class, Suffren, was delivered in November 2020. It entered “active duty” in June 2022 and completed its first operational deployment in January this year. Duguay-Trouin is set to be delivered this year. The French shipbuilder has to deliver four SSNs of the class by 2026. The final boat of the class, Casabianca, is expected to be handed over to the French Navy in 2029.
About Suffren-class SSN
The Suffren-class is designed to replace the Rubis-class in the French Navy (Marine Nationale). Naval Group is in charge of the construction of this submarines series, including the design and construction of the ship and information systems as well as the manufacturing of the main components of nuclear boiler rooms.
Suffren-class submarines specifications
- Surface displacement: 4,700 tonnes
- Diving displacement: 5,300 tonnes
- Length: 99 metres
- Diameter: 8.8 metres
- Maximum depth: > 350 meters
- Armament: naval cruise missiles, F21 heavy-weight wire-guided torpedoes, modernised Exocet SM39 anti-ship missiles
- Hybrid propulsion: pressurised water reactor derived from the reactors on board the Triomphant-type SSBN and Charles-de-Gaulle aircraft carrier, two propulsion turbines, two turbo generators and two electric motors
- Crew: 65 crew members + approx. 15 commandos
- Availability: > 270 days per year
To learn more about the Barracuda type, check out our in-depth reporting:
