The first hull section of the 'Duguay-Trouin', the second in class of the Barracuda-type nuclear-powered attack submarine, has left the prefabrication hall at DCNS's Cherbourg centre. The Barracuda programme, led by the French defence procurement agency (DGA), calls for the delivery of six submarines between 2017 and 2028.
The hull section is made of steel alloy. It measures approximately nine metres in diameter by four metres in length and weighs 40 tonnes. Section seven will form part of the aft half of the hull, immediately behind the nuclear reactor compartment and will eventually accommodate the suspended block containing the electrical distribution plant.
Fabrication of the remaining hull elements for the 'Duguay-Trouin' – 20 other hull sections and four interface pieces – will follow in the next few months.
Construction of the 'Suffren', the first in class of the Barracuda type submarines, is also on schedule at the Cherbourg centre. Joining of the hull sections at the assembly facility is moving forward, with the first equipment integration phases set to begin in the next few months.
