Specifications Table - Shortfin Barracuda Block 1A

After internet searching no current, precise, detailed, list of DCNS Shortfin specifications has been located. Instead I've drawn together (and sometimes inferred) specs from a variety of internet sources (see links in Table). Some details are available through DCNS Youtubes, diagrams and pictures.

DCNS has limited the publication of Shortfin’s projected specs as keeping the specs secret was a requirement of the CEP. Detailed specs would reflect Australia’s detailed needs. Some/most specs will remain secret.

Also experienced arms sellers (like DCNS) don’t telegraph all the particulars of their product offers.

Now that DCNS has won, it and Australia are likely to be more forthcoming with the specs.

Specs and shapes for other French submarines are also useful indicators. These subs include the Scorpene SSK (2005-present), Triomphant SSBN (1997-present), the 2014 SMX Ocean concep and, of course, the Barracuda SSN (due to be launched 2017).

SHORTFIN TABLE

Shortfin Barracuda Block 1A - Figures at 28 April 2016
Class overview
Name:	DCNS Shortfin Barracuda Block 1A
Operators:	Only envisaged is the  Royal Australian Navy (RAN)
12 to be commissioned:	Approx. commissioned and operational 2030–2070. [may be an initial batch of 6 diesel-electric. By 2040s serious planning for 6 SSNs may occur - depending on strategic threats.]
Preceded by:	Collins class
Pressure hull steel	[Likely to be 100 HLES high-yield pressure hull steel, roughly equivalent to US HY-130 - see Submarine Matters article Table that uses Japanese document.]
Crew	60 + around 16 divers/special forces (depending on mission)
Speed/range and Endurance	Transit speed 10 to 14 knots (kt) over [12,000?] to18,000 nautical miles (nm). Maximum submerged speed 20+ kt. Endurance at sea 90 days depending on fuel, food and crew exhaustion. Max range at achieved at constant speed approx 10 kt. Typical mission profile maybe mix of Transit at average speed (snorting or surfaced?) of 14kt for a week, one month Patrol, Transit back to Fleet Base West at 14kt for week.
Displacement:	4,500 tonnes (surfaced) [numerous sources including]  5,000 tonnes (approx) (submerged) [numerous sources]
Length	94 to 97 meters (see DCNS Marketing Director give length 55 seconds into this Youtube)
Diameter (Beam)	8.8 meters
Height	15.5 meters (hull + fin/sail)
Pumpjet propulsion	[Important to use the same pumpjet tried and tested on the Barracuda rather than a special new propeller only developed to the Shortfin. Pumpjet superior at higher submarine speeds but may have downsides at typical low Patrol speeds]
Acoustic stealth	Rubber/elastic mountings for moving and reverberating parts inside.
Capable of projecting	Unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs),  Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) Underwater decoys (against torpedoes and mobile mines)
On hull behind fin/sail.	Dry dock shelter for divers, diver delivery vehicles and large displacement UUVs (LDUUVs)
Weapons	·4 [?] × 533 mm (21.0 in) tubes. Around 30 heavyweight shots. As US Combat System is compulsory US weapons are compulsory, that is Tomahawk cruise missiles (for land attack and long range anti-ship) Harpoon anti-ship missiles, Mark 48 torpedoes, mines.
Sensors	Sonars from Thales and other makers. “The sonar suite performance provided by Thales will be the best available ever for a submarine this size.”
Combat System	Updated AN/BYG-1 (the network of sensors, databases and weapons costing about one third of the upfront price of the submarine)
Max Depth	300+ meters (operational)
Exterior stealth	Anechoic coating on hull to deflect and dampen sound waves inside and mainly outside the sub
Propulsion:	Likely 6 x MTU 12V 4000 diesels   [note Chilean, Indian and Brazilian Scorpenes have 4 x MTU 16V 396 SE]   7 MW (9,400 hp). Jeumont Electric claims it is supplying the electric motor and some other electrical fittings.  French battery company SAFT may supply Lithium-ion or Lead-acid batteries (depending what Australian customer wants) see APDR May 2016, page 19. Also see a 2008 DCNS Media Release about SAFT Lithium-ion research and Scorpene.

---

DCNS YOUTUBE

As this is a very recent (April 14, 2016) DCNS Youtube the claims/comments in it are useful. I have recorded most word-for-word and how many seconds in:

0:20 - Stealth capabilities from France’s nuclear submarine program,  

0:24 - pumpjet propulsion [important to use the same pumpjet tried and tested on the Barracuda rather than a special new propeller only developed to the Shortfin]

0:27 - “Hydroplances can retract to reduce drag and noise.”

0:32 - “Most powerful sonar ever produced for a conventional submarine” [Conventions sub’s sonar are less powerful because the sub’s are smaller with no reactor to produce high amounts of electricity for sonars.]

0:42 - “As new technology is developed between France, Australia and the United States upgrades are easily made via quick access tech insert hatches”

0:47 - “By adopting DCNS’ technology Australia will join an elite club which includes only the UK, US and France.” [thats the Western nuclear submarine hull club].

I'll add more details to the Shortfin Table as these details are published on the internet.

Pete