Feature

EMC filters from MPE protect French Navy super sub

On 6 November 2020, a major French defence contractor, the Naval Group in Toulon, delivered the Q284 Suffren, a Barracuda-class, nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN), to the French Armament Procurement Agency (Direction Générale de l'Armement).

04/01/2022 16:13:54

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The Suffren is the first in a series of six multi-mission SSNs that will gradually replace Rubis-class nuclear attack submarines in the French Navy, the Marine Nationale, over the
next few years.

The Suffren is stated to be ten times quieter than the previous generation Rubis class. The new ‘super sub’ has a displacement of 4765 tons when
surfaced and 5300 tons when submerged. Its length is 99.5m, its beam is 8.8m and its draft is 7.3m. Unlike previous French submarines, the Suffren is not equipped with a
periscope, but, rather, an optronic mast, which allows for a far longer range and an outside-visible-spectrum detection of targets.

A first for the French Navy is the Suffren’s ability
to deploy a small underwater vehicle for special forces’ use, thanks to a dry deck shelter. Previously, special forces utilised torpedo tubes and handheld propulsion systems.

Read the full article in DPA's January issue

Written By Sophia Bell

Sophia Bell is the Group Editor of DPA, Connectivity, and PBSI. She joined the team in 2020 as Assistant Editor after achieving a First-Class Honours BA in English Literature and Film Studies from the University of East Anglia. In her current role, she leads the editorial strategy, driving digital growth and ensuring each title continues to deliver trusted, relevant insight for engineering and manufacturing professionals.