French submarine Améthyste (S605)

Améthyste arriving in Norfolk, VA
History
France
NameAméthyste
NamesakeAmethyst
Laid down31 October 1983
Launched14 May 1988
Commissioned3 March 1992
In service20 March 1992
HomeportToulon
StatusIn active service
General characteristics
Class & typeRubis-class submarine
Displacement
  • 2,600 t (2,600 long tons)
  • 2,400 t (2,400 long tons) surfaced
Length73.6 m (241 ft 6 in)
Beam7.6 m (24 ft 11 in)
Draught6.4 m (21 ft 0 in)
Propulsion
  • Pressurised water K48 nuclear reactor (48 MW), LEU 7%; 2 turbo-alternators; 1 electric engine (7 MW); one propeller
  • 1 diesel-alternators SEMT Pielstick 8 PA 4V 185 SM; one auxiliary engine, 5 MW.
Speedover 25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph)
Range8,500 nmi (15,700 km; 9,800 mi)
Endurance60 days
Test depthover 300 m (980 ft)
Complement
  • 8 officers
  • 52 warrant officers
  • 8 petty officers
Sensors &
processing systems
  • DMUX 20 multifunction
  • ETBF DSUV 62C tugged antenna
  • DSUV 22 microphone system
  • DRUA 33 radar
Electronic warfare
& decoys		ARUR 13
Armament
  • 4 × 533 mm (21 in) tubes
  • total mixed load of 14;

Améthyste is a nuclear-powered attack submarine of the French Navy, the fifth of the Rubis type. The boat's name is a pun on a precious stone (Amethyst) and the acronym AMElioration Tactique, HydrodYnamique, Silence, Transmission, Ecoute ("Tactical, hydrodynamics, silence and transmission improvements"). The boat is a major upgrade upon the initial design of the Rubis type, and earlier units have since been refitted to meet her standards.

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