Amethyst class

Améthyste- class

The pearl in May 2000

Ship data country  France Ship type Submarine Shipyard Direction des Constructions Navales , Cherbourg Construction period 1983 to 1993 Launch of the type ship May 14, 1988 Units built 2 period of service Since 1992

Ship dimensions and crew length 73.6 m ( Lüa ) width 7.6 m Draft Max. 6.4 m displacement surfaced: 2,400 tn.l. submerged: 2,600 tn.l.   crew 70 men

Machine system machine K-48 pressurized water reactor (48 MW) diesel engine (5 MW) Top speed 25 kn (46 km / h)

Mission data submarine Duration of use 45 days Immersion depth, max. 300 m

Armament 4 × torpedo tube ⌀ 53.3 cm (torpedoes: F17 mod 2) SM.39 Exocet marine target missile

The two most recently built nuclear submarines of the French Rubis class , Améthyste and Perle , are referred to as the Améthyste class .

The Rubis class was originally designed for use against surface forces. The Améthyste class, on the other hand, specializes in hunting submarines . The more modern Améthyste class is 2.5 m longer and equipped with improved sonar and electronic equipment. In addition, the boats are quieter than those of the original construction.

Modernization of the Rubis class

The four older Rubis class submarines were modernized between 1989 and 1995 and raised to the technical level of the Améthyste class, which is why the term Améthyste class is sometimes used for all boats of the Rubis class:

• Saphir was modernized between 1989 and 1991.
• Rubis was modernized between 1992 and 1993.
• Casabianca was modernized between 1993 and 1994.
• Émeraude was modernized between 1994 and 1995.

literature

• Chris Chant: Modern submarines technology-tactics-armament , Motorbuchverlag, Stuttgart, 1st edition 2005, ISBN 3-7276-7150-5
• Werner Globke (ed.): Weyers Flottentaschenbuch / Warships of the World - Fleet Handbook , Bernard & Graefe Verlag, Bonn, 66th year 2005-2007, ISBN 3-7637-4517-3

Web links

Commons : Rubis class  - collection of images, videos, and audio files

• naval-technology.com - Rubis Class (1983)

Footnotes

1. ↑ Améthyste is the acronym for "AMElioration Tactique, HydrodYnamique, Silence, Transmission, Ecoute", which means "tactical, hydrodynamic, noise suppression and propulsion development". The name also stands for the gemstone amethyst . The Améthyste is the first French warship to bear this name.