*Sources: DTN News / Int'l Media
(NSI News Source Info) PARIS, France - June 27, 2009: The Délégation Générale pour l'Armement (DGA) signed a contract June 26 with DCNS and Areva-TA for a second Barracuda nuclear attack submarine, as part of a six-boat program worth a total of 7.9 billion euros ($11.1 billion), the French Defense Ministry said in a statement. 
The Barracuda is the next-generation SNA (Sous-marins nucléaires d'attaque - Nuclear Attack Submarine). Much like their predecessors, Barracuda-class SNA will have an anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare role, with the ability to launch cruise-missiles. They will primarily be tasked with ensuring the safety of the Strategic Oceanic Force, conducting carrier group escorts and power-projection.
In addition to anti-surface and anti-submarine capabilities, the Barracuda will accommodate intelligence gathering and the deployment of special forces and carry MDCN cruise missiles providing a land strike capability. The payload of 20 tube-launched weapons will comprise a mix of future heavyweight torpedoes, cruise missiles and SM39 anti-ship missiles. Barracuda-class SNA will be armed with cruise-missiles planned for future Multi-Missions European Frigates (FREMM), the future heavy torpedo (FTL) which will replace the F17 torpedo, the SM 39 anti-surface missile(exocet family), and the FG 29 mine.
The Barracuda-class SNA will be, like the Rubis-class SNA it is meant to replace, nuclear-powered. The powerplant will be built by Technicatome. The nuclear reactor is derived from the models used on the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier and SNLE submarines. It is meant to allow for a sustained speed of 22 knots for more than 20 days.
Construction Program
DCN has primary responsibility for the design and construction of the Barracuda-class submarines. The hull and final componene integration will be completed at the Cherbourg shipyard. Propulsion work will be conducted at the DCN's factory at Indret while combat systems will be overseen at the Toulon plant.
The Barracuda-class submarines are meant to eventually replace the Rubis-class submarines once these start reaching the end of their useful life between 2012 and 2023. The future attack-submarine program was launched by the French Minister of Defense on 14 October 1998. The design-phase of the Barracuda-class SNA program began in June 2002 with the start of the development phase expected to begin in 2005.
In October 2003 the French Direction des Constructions Navales (DCN) awarded a contract to Thales Underwater Systems for an integrated sonar system for the nuclear ballistic-missile submarine (SSBN) Le Terrible, the fourth ship of the Le Triomphant class. The same sonar system will be used by the new Barracuda-class nuclear attack submarines (SSN), destined to replace Rubis and Amethyste class submarines between 2012 and 2022. The new sonar is to be a part of the Barracuda class integrated combat system.
Six submarines were expected to be produced, with delivery starting in 2015. Production of six Barracuda-class submarines was expected to begin around 2012 with a rate of production of one submarine every two years. As of late 2006 the first Barracuda SSN was scheduled for delivery in 2016.
On 22 December 2006 French defence procurement agency DGA announced that it has awarded the Barracuda SSN contract to the DCN group and partner Areva-TA. The contract calls for the delivery of six new-generation nuclear-powered attack submarines, or SSNs, and through-life support services during their first years of operational service.
"Defense Minister Hervé Morin announced the order for the second Barracuda nuclear attack submarine," the statement said. "The Barracuda program, which envisages the delivery of six submarines between 2017 and 2028, is worth 7.9 billion euros and will supply work to thousands of workers through its production life."
A first cutting of metal took place June 26 on the second boat at the DCNS Cherbourg submarine facility, the company said in a separate statement.
"The Barracuda program is one of the most important in the renewal of French naval forces," the company said.
The boats will replace the Rubis/Amethyst class and will allow missions such as intelligence gathering, deployment of special forces, mining of waters, combat against surface ships and anti-submarine warfare, DCNS said. The boat will be armed with a naval cruise missile, the future F21 Artemis heavy torpedo and SM39 Exocet anti-ship missiles.
Assembly of the first-of-class boat Suffren began June 26 with the welding together of the first two large sections in the rear of the hull, the ministry said.
DCNS is prime contractor on the Barracuda program, with Areva-TA in charge of the nuclear propulsion.
The DGA ordered the Suffren in December 2006 with a first payment of 1.26 billion euros. The payment schedule on the Suffren contract included a second stage payment of 600 million euros in 2007 and 860 million in 2008, totaling 2.72 billion euros. That amount covered the cost of development and construction of the first boat.
At 1.3 billion euros, the price of the Suffren was among the cheapest nuclear attack submarines to be built, DGA program director Thierry Perard told reporters at the time.
Subsequent orders were due to be made every two years.
Jean-Marie Poimbeouf, then-CEO of DCNS, said on Dec. 23, 2006, that the Barracuda program ensured 20 years of work for industry and engaged more than 100 companies.
The Barracuda is the next-generation SNA (Sous-marins nucléaires d'attaque - Nuclear Attack Submarine). Much like their predecessors, Barracuda-class SNA will have an anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare role, with the ability to launch cruise-missiles. They will primarily be tasked with ensuring the safety of the Strategic Oceanic Force, conducting carrier group escorts and power-projection.
In addition to anti-surface and anti-submarine capabilities, the Barracuda will accommodate intelligence gathering and the deployment of special forces and carry MDCN cruise missiles providing a land strike capability. The payload of 20 tube-launched weapons will comprise a mix of future heavyweight torpedoes, cruise missiles and SM39 anti-ship missiles. Barracuda-class SNA will be armed with cruise-missiles planned for future Multi-Missions European Frigates (FREMM), the future heavy torpedo (FTL) which will replace the F17 torpedo, the SM 39 anti-surface missile(exocet family), and the FG 29 mine.
The Barracuda-class SNA will be, like the Rubis-class SNA it is meant to replace, nuclear-powered. The powerplant will be built by Technicatome. The nuclear reactor is derived from the models used on the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier and SNLE submarines. It is meant to allow for a sustained speed of 22 knots for more than 20 days.
Construction Program
DCN has primary responsibility for the design and construction of the Barracuda-class submarines. The hull and final componene integration will be completed at the Cherbourg shipyard. Propulsion work will be conducted at the DCN's factory at Indret while combat systems will be overseen at the Toulon plant.
The Barracuda-class submarines are meant to eventually replace the Rubis-class submarines once these start reaching the end of their useful life between 2012 and 2023. The future attack-submarine program was launched by the French Minister of Defense on 14 October 1998. The design-phase of the Barracuda-class SNA program began in June 2002 with the start of the development phase expected to begin in 2005.
In October 2003 the French Direction des Constructions Navales (DCN) awarded a contract to Thales Underwater Systems for an integrated sonar system for the nuclear ballistic-missile submarine (SSBN) Le Terrible, the fourth ship of the Le Triomphant class. The same sonar system will be used by the new Barracuda-class nuclear attack submarines (SSN), destined to replace Rubis and Amethyste class submarines between 2012 and 2022. The new sonar is to be a part of the Barracuda class integrated combat system.
Six submarines were expected to be produced, with delivery starting in 2015. Production of six Barracuda-class submarines was expected to begin around 2012 with a rate of production of one submarine every two years. As of late 2006 the first Barracuda SSN was scheduled for delivery in 2016.
On 22 December 2006 French defence procurement agency DGA announced that it has awarded the Barracuda SSN contract to the DCN group and partner Areva-TA. The contract calls for the delivery of six new-generation nuclear-powered attack submarines, or SSNs, and through-life support services during their first years of operational service.
"Defense Minister Hervé Morin announced the order for the second Barracuda nuclear attack submarine," the statement said. "The Barracuda program, which envisages the delivery of six submarines between 2017 and 2028, is worth 7.9 billion euros and will supply work to thousands of workers through its production life."
A first cutting of metal took place June 26 on the second boat at the DCNS Cherbourg submarine facility, the company said in a separate statement.
"The Barracuda program is one of the most important in the renewal of French naval forces," the company said.
The boats will replace the Rubis/Amethyst class and will allow missions such as intelligence gathering, deployment of special forces, mining of waters, combat against surface ships and anti-submarine warfare, DCNS said. The boat will be armed with a naval cruise missile, the future F21 Artemis heavy torpedo and SM39 Exocet anti-ship missiles.
Assembly of the first-of-class boat Suffren began June 26 with the welding together of the first two large sections in the rear of the hull, the ministry said.
DCNS is prime contractor on the Barracuda program, with Areva-TA in charge of the nuclear propulsion.
The DGA ordered the Suffren in December 2006 with a first payment of 1.26 billion euros. The payment schedule on the Suffren contract included a second stage payment of 600 million euros in 2007 and 860 million in 2008, totaling 2.72 billion euros. That amount covered the cost of development and construction of the first boat.
At 1.3 billion euros, the price of the Suffren was among the cheapest nuclear attack submarines to be built, DGA program director Thierry Perard told reporters at the time.
Subsequent orders were due to be made every two years.
Jean-Marie Poimbeouf, then-CEO of DCNS, said on Dec. 23, 2006, that the Barracuda program ensured 20 years of work for industry and engaged more than 100 companies.
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