New Cutting-Edge Weapon Threatens French Navy Patrol Boats
However, why did this submarine attack a patrol boat from the French Navy? Rest assured, it was just a demonstration of a novel advanced weaponry system.
As reported by
Futura-sciences
Last December, a French nuclear attack submarine (SNA) conducted a test that resulted in sending the French patrol boat Premier-Maître L’Her to the ocean floor. However, this incident was not due to mistaken identity; rather, it was part of an intentional exercise. The F21 heavyweight torpedo, equipped with live ammunition, was fired at what was actually a naval vessel—a hollowed-out shell serving as the target.
The patrol vessel, which served faithfully for four decades, stopped operations last July. After being thoroughly cleaned, the vessel became an excellent candidate for testing advanced weaponry. The Ministry of the Armed Forces reported that the ship split into two pieces and rapidly sank thousands of meters beneath the surface.
A design by Naval Group
It was
Naval Group
The design of the F21 “Artemis” heavyweight torpedo, aimed at countering both submarine and surface targets, is documented here.
Futura-sciences
What are its features? It weighs 1.5 tons, measures 6 meters in length, can reach speeds of up to 90 km/h, has a range of 50 kilometers, and carries an explosive payload of 250 kg.
According to the
French Ministry of National Defense
, due to the
In an increasingly complex global landscape, it appears pertinent at times to revisit and potentially conduct naval armament trials once more.
(MH co-authored with Manon Pierre – Source: Futura-sciences – Illustration: ©Unsplash)