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PACIFIC 2015: DCNS Showcased the Shortfin Barracuda Block 1A for SEA1000 Submarine Program.
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PACIFIC
2015 Show News - DCNS Shortfin Barracuda |
PACIFIC 2015: DCNS Showcased the Shortfin Barracuda Block 1A for SEA1000
Submarine Program |
At PACIFIC 2015, the international maritime exposition held recently
in Sydney, DCNS was showcasing for the first time a scale model of its
proposal for the Australian SEA1000 submarine design and procurement
program. Based on the French
Navy Barracuda SSN currently in final stage of construction,
the Shorfin Barracuda is 3 meters shorter (94 meters) and 200 tons lighter
(4,500 tons). |
Shortfin
Barracuda Block 1A scale model on display at PACIFIC 2015 |
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The two submarines
share the same hull but DCNS further improved some aspects of the Shortfin
Barracuda Block 1A hull shape in order to maintain the impressive speed
and maneuverability qualities expected with the next SSN of the French
Navy. Both are fitted with X-shape rudders which provides better handling
to the submarine while surfaced and underwater. The "pump jet"
allows for higher speed before the onset of cavitation and lower acoustic
signature. |
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Video:
Shortfin Barracuda Block 1A at PACIFIC 2015 |
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DCNS is the only
one among the SEA1000 contenders to master the full spectrum of submarine
types and size: SSK, SSN and the large SSBN. Some of the key requirement for the Barracuda SSN were long endurance and high transit speed. The conventional Shortfin Barracuda will retain these intrinsic qualities: According to Xavier Mesnet, Marketing Director for Surface Ships and Submarine "It will be able to deploy far away, quickly and for a significant on-station period". Finally, should Australia select the DCNS proposal, the Shortfin Barracuda will benefit from 2 or 3 years of operational deployement of the French Navy Barracuda. |
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