US Navy receives final Independence-class Littoral Combat Ship
The delivery acceptance of the future USS Pierre marks the conclusion of the construction phase for the Independence-variant.
Suffren submarine nuclear reactor started up
The nuclear reactor of the French Navy’s Suffren submarine has been started for the first time, clearing the way for acceptance testing to begin in 2020.
Divergence of the reactor was performed by the TechnicAtome and Naval Group teams on the Cherbourg site in accordance with authorisations issued by the French Nuclear Safety Authority and the French Defence Procurement Agency.
Divergence is conducted from the Propulsion Control Station of the Suffren. The operation consists of triggering a controlled nuclear reaction in the core for the first time. Lasting only a short time, this operation marks the beginning of the constant monitoring of the nuclear reactor by the operating teams. This operation will be continuous until the decommissioning of the submarine, planned for the 2050 decade.
Designed under the responsibility of the French Atomic Energy and Alternative Energies Agency, the nuclear reactor was built under a prime contract by TechnicAtome, reactor designer, with Naval Group being responsible for the production of the pressure equipment and the integration of the reactor on-board the Barracuda submarines.
Hervé Guillou, chairman and CEO, Naval Group: ‘The start-up of the nuclear reactor on-board the Suffren submarine is a new demonstration of the know-how of the French nuclear industrial sector, with TechnicAtome and Naval Group in the forefront. This success gives the country an unequalled defence tool with a high degree of industrial autonomy benefitting the sovereignty of France.’
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
You may also like
More from Naval Warfare
-
![US Navy receives final Independence-class Littoral Combat Ship]()
-
![RTX Raytheon advances with the development of new Barracuda mine neutraliser]()
RTX Raytheon advances with the development of new Barracuda mine neutraliser
The new Barracuda version has been engineered to perform enhanced subsea and seabed warfare missions.
-
![US Coast Guard to receive the largest single acquisition funding in its history]()
US Coast Guard to receive the largest single acquisition funding in its history
The nearly $25 billion investment will cover USCG procurement of cutters, aircraft, helicopters, training simulators and Polar capabilities over the next four years.
-
![US Coast Guard enhances Arctic protection with a new Fast Response Cutter]()
US Coast Guard enhances Arctic protection with a new Fast Response Cutter
After commissioning, FRC Frederick Mann will operate in Alaska and perform multiple missions.
-
![US Coast Guard announces measures to further implement Force Design 2028 strategy]()
US Coast Guard announces measures to further implement Force Design 2028 strategy
The US Coast Guard (USCG) created new units, including five Programme Executive Offices (PEOs), to facilitate and speed up the procurement of new capabilities.
-
![Future of the US Navy’s Arleigh Burke programme remains unclear]()
Future of the US Navy’s Arleigh Burke programme remains unclear
The US Navy does not have a precise date for the award of the procurement contract for the third Arleigh Burke-class destroyer despite having the funds to advance with the programme in FY2025.
