F21, the new-generation heavyweight torpedo for Indian Scorpene submarine

[Major Shaitan Singh]

F21, the new-generation heavyweight torpedo for the French Navy. DCNS has signed in 2008 a contract for the development and production of an hundred of F21. This torpedo is designed to enable French submarines to knock out enemy surface combatants and submarines. The F21, taking advantage of the most advanced innovative technologies in development for heavy-weight torpedoes, is able to reach a maximum speed superior to 50 kts and has got a range of more than 50 km. Moreover, this torpedo is compliant with the most demanding norms of safety imposed by the nuclear submarines.

• MU90 lightweight torpedo: Result of a Franco-Italian cooperation, jointly developed with Thales Underwater System and WASS within GEIE EuroTorp, the MU90 is the sole totally new lightweight torpedo in the world. Designed and built with the most advanced technology, it is capable to counter any type of nuclear or conventional submarine even acoustically coated, deep diving, fast evasive, deploying anti-torpedo effectors or bottomed in littoral areas. The MU90 torpedo is in sevice in France, Italy, Germany, Poland and Denmark and has been delivered and accepted by Australia.

• CONTRALTO®, the new-generation torpedo defence system, has been especially designed in order to face the appearance of new advanced torpedoes. Based on the concept of dilution/confusion, CONTRALTO® is available for surface vessel and submarine. It can be readily incorporated into new-build designs or added to existing ships as part of a refit or modernisation programme. In 2009, DCNS signed a contract to equip the entire French submarine fleet.

• Undersea warfare: Undersea and mine warfare products include detection and location systems, countermeasures and undersea target weapons. The systems used to detect undersea targets include active and passive sonar systems carried by submarines, surface combatants and aircraft, non-acoustic detection systems and the environmental parameter measurement sensors required to optimise sonar performance.

DCNS will participate to the following conferences:

• MCM and Multi-Unmanned Vehicles: an overhaul approach, key factors to ensure operational effectiveness, interoperability and risks mitigation (Loïc Tacher)
• The near future of submarine living spaces: a high level of comfort for the submariner vs optimising space or equipment, using virtual reality to link living space designers and naval architects (Nicolas Piganeau)
• Benefits and advantages of green submarines: submarine lifecycle assessment from cradle to grave, quantifying environment impact, eco design resulted in increased efficiency in range/autonomy, stealth and maintenance (Eric Fusil)
• Optimisation of SSK combat system using technico-operational simulations: combat system architecture makes it possible to optimise the combat system according to customer needs (Laurent Pelissero)

DCNS presents latest underwater innovations at UDT 2012