Gymnôte 1966
Gymnôte 1980
| Name | No | Yard No | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Comp | Fate |
| Gymnôte | S655 | Q73 | Arsenal de Cherbourg | 17.3.1963 | 17.3.1964 | 17.10.1966 | stricken 4.1987 |
|
Displacement standard, t |
|
|
Displacement normal, t |
3000 / 3250 |
|
Length, m |
84.0 |
|
Breadth, m |
10.6 |
|
Draught, m |
7.60 |
|
No of shafts |
2 |
|
Machinery |
4 SEMT-Pielstick diesel-generators, 2 electric motors |
|
Power, h. p. |
2600 / 2600 |
|
Max speed, kts |
11 / 10 |
|
Fuel, t |
diesel oil |
| Endurance, nm(kts) | 5500(7) / |
|
Armament |
4 M-1 SLBM (4 M-1) |
| Electronic equipment | Calypso II radar, DUUA-1 sonar |
| Complement | 78 |
| Diving depth operational, m | 150 |
Project history: In 1954 studies were made of a torpedo-armed nuclear-powered submarine; the boat was even laid down at Cherbourg in 1956 as hull No Q244. A surface displacement of 4000t on a length of 120m was projected. The inability of the French to produce enriched uranium at this time meant, however, that a heavy-water reactor using unrefined uranium was the only possible propulsion plant. This proved too heavy and construction was halted in 1958. Negotiations with the Americans for the purchase of a reactor failed, and even the purchase of enriched uranium was refused except for land experimental use. The project was abandoned in 1959.
With the decision to develop an independent sea-based deterrent force, it was decided to complete the hull (now designated Q251) as an experiment submarine for the testing of the new ballistic missiles. A prominent casing abaft the fin housed four vertical launch tubes. Gymnôte was also fitted with the prototype guidance and inertial navigation system intended for Le Redoutable.
Modernizations: 1979: - 4 M-1 SLBM; + 2 M-4 SLBM (2 M-4)
Naval service: No significant events.
Gymnôte 1970
Many thanks to Wolfgang Stöhr for additional information on this page.
© Ivan Gogin, 2015