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Further Reading

SMX

SMX-21

The multirole, reconfigurable SMX-21 submarine concept was first displayed by DCN (now DCNS) at the 2002 Euronaval show in Paris in October 2002. The twin-hulled design, with a hull that displaces only 2,700 tons, is similar in configuration to the Typhoon-class SSBN though with a flatter body, with both separate hulls being contained within a single outer pressure hull. The wide body of the submarine is designed to allow extensive storage space between the hulls for non-penetrating masts and slot-in reconfigurable slanted launcher 'Mission Packs' without imposing on the accommodation and propulsion sections as a conventional layout does.

Packs can be configured to meet a variety of mission requirements, with each pack containing a mix of up to 10 weapons such as torpedoes (both lightweight and heavyweight), missiles for AAW and ASM tasks, and cruise missiles with a land attack capability. Total Mission Pack load out is 30 weapons, though the boat also has conventional bow tubes to fire both torpedoes and missiles and a forward bay on the underside of the submarine for mine delivery.

A DDS is mounted externally for use as stowage space for a special forces delivery system and carriage of recoverable UUVs and expendable unmanned platforms. Other features of the design are pump-jet propulsors and innovative control surfaces, while sensor systems also include retractable towed linear arrays combined within a fully integrated combat management system.

SMX-22

The SMX-22 design is comprised of a mother boat and two mini-submarines in a networked system. The SMX-22's design was first unveiled at the Euronaval 2004 exhibition, and combines three submarines into one underwater vessel with a 3,700-tonne displacement. It comprises a command unit nicknamed NCW, and twin operational units nicknamed OPS. The NCW unit centralises tactical data, exchanges information with a Navy's Fleet Command HQ, sails the OPS units towards the operational theatre, and ensures energy production. It is also the base for the OPS unit crew between two missions. Each OPS submarine, displacing less than 500 tonnes, is fitted with a mission-specific modular payload before leaving the harbour. With no energy production facility, the OPS unit, equipped with an AIP module, is thus extremely silent. Each missionis limited to a few days.

SMX-23 Andrasta

Length	49 m
Surface displacement	855 metric tons
Speed when submerged	> 15 knots
Submerged endurance	5 days
Depth of immersion	> 200 m
Operational distance	> 3000 nautical miles
Crew	19 members

ARMARIS is offering a new low-cost coastal SSK concept, called the SMX-23 Andrasta, which is designed for safe, precise navigation in shallow waters and for missions ranging from special operations to intelligence gathering and mine-laying. A direct descendant of the Scorpene, this class offers stealth, agility and power. SMX-23 is a small stealthy coastal submarine, combining powerful sensors and weapons to counter surface and underwater threats. It is "ideal" for first time buyers.

According to Jean Gauthier, naval architect within DCN's submarine design department, SMX-23 has been conceived "to address a perceived market requirement for a robust, affordable and supportable submarine, capable of performing a range of littoral defence missions. It is clear to us that while many navies are attracted to the advantages offered by conventional submarines (SSKs) in the 1,400 to 1,800-ton displacement range, not all have the financial or technical resources to operate boats of such cost and complexity".

Designed for all types of navies - irrespective of whether they want to develop a submarine capacity or reinforce existing resources with a product of unrivaled quality in coastal operations - the Andrasta creates a new category in the panorama of conventional submarines. Specifically optimized to operate in coastal waters, the theater of operations of the future, the Andrasta-class submarine nevertheless remains a formidable adversary in deep waters. Its great similarity with the Scorpène-class submarine makes it a modern, risk-free design. Capable of carrying out most of the missions traditionally entrusted to conventional submarines, the Andrasta deters all potential aggressors from operating in the coastal waters under its surveillance.

Capable of most of the missions traditionally assigned to a conventional submarine, Andrasta deters any potential aggressor to come and operate in coastal waters where it stands guard. This class of submarine proves to be particularly suited to carrying out special operations or information-gathering assignments, missions of vital importance even in times of peace. Its new-generation combat system, and its ability to make use of heavyweight weapon systems such as torpedoes or missiles, make it a formidable weapon in its own right. Drawing massively on the solutions tried and tested on the Scorpène, the coherence of the architectural choices with the missions entrusted to it make it a product offering a reduced cost of acquisition and ownership.

SMX 24

Tonnage	3450 tons on the surfaces
Length	88.8 meters
maximum Depth	350 meters
Speed max in diving	20 knotss (actually estimate +25/30)
Autonomy in diving	30 days
Crew	22 to 31 sailors, according to mission 18 commandos maximum or 12 men frogs)
weapons	38 carried according to configuration & mission
Modules	25 different are possible (commandos, recognition, anti ship, etc)

SMX-24 is a concept for a submarine that would be in service about 2020. Its size and capability fall between today's biggest diesel-electric boats and the smallest nukes: the 3450-ton boat would have an all fuel-cell propulsion system, would be capable of 20 kt submerged and could stay underwater for 30 days. The core vessel would have interchangeable modules for weapons or special forces equipment. The stub wings carry tip-mounted propulsors for high speeds - allowing the central pumpjet to be sized for cruise - and fighter-like pylons for fuel tanks - above the wings on the model - and weapons.

The DCNS-designed SMX 24 next-generation submarine will include 'plug-and-fight' hardware enabling the boat to be tailored at will for each mission. DCNS has identified 25 modules suitable for 'plug-and-fight' according to needs. These include the submarine's weapons (mines, missiles, etc.), sensors and performance-enhancing add-ons (offering greater speed, manoeuvrability or endurance, as the case may be). The modules will be housed in the wings and sail and under the operations room. Different combinations of modules result in high-performance SMX 24 configurations with capabilities tailored to specific missions.

All DCNS-designed warships combine highly modular design and production. The SMX 24 offers new prospects and a new level of modularity. This concept sub exercise has enabled DCNS to identify both architectural and technological solutions meeting the future needs of client navies. Increased modularity means a lower cost of ownership because 'plug-and-fight' modules can be shared by multiple submarines and crews. Note also that the SMX 24 requires a crew of just 22.

SMX 25

Length overall	109 m
Max. speed, semi-surfaced	38 knots
Displacement, surface	2,850 tonnes
Displacement, submerged	4,560 tonnes
Speed, submerged	10 knots
Endurance, patrol	30 days

For this concept ship project, DCNS focused on how to get what is essentially a conventional submarine to a theatre of operations as quickly as possible. Powered by three gas turbines driving three water jets, the SMX-25 submersible is designed to achieve a sustained surface speed of 38 knots. Despite the fact that the SMX-25 can deploy very quickly, it is essentially a conventional submarine. On reaching its designated patrol area, the SMX-25 will operate like other submarines using the same types of sensors and resources.

In the innovative semi-surfaced configuration, with only the upper portion of the sail above water, the boat will be able to use the same sorts of sensors (including an aircraft surveillance radar) and weapons as a conventional surface combatant (i.e. anti-ship, land-strike and anti-air missiles launched from vertical silos) while maintaining an extremely discrete radar signature. The SMX-25 will be equipped to deploy combat swimmers and their delivery vehicles, commandos, unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).