From our special correspondent in Toulon
The Suffren returns from the equator.
From the quay of the Toulon naval base, we can see under the surface of the water the mud - in reality algae and micro-organisms - which still sticks to the walls of the hull.
It testifies to the trip.
For a year and its "reception" by the navy, the new nuclear attack submarine has been carrying out tests and trials: weapon firing, acoustic discretion, stopover in a NATO port… For its first deployment, from July to at the beginning of October, the SNA "
tested its endurance in warm waters and its capacity to last at sea
", explains captain Jérôme Colonna d'Istria, commander of the SNA squadron.
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Submarine hunting: the quest for "transparent oceans"
There is nothing anecdotal about being able to sail for a long time in a warm sea.
"
The submarine needs to be constantly refrigerated,
" continues the officer.
The temperature has an impact on the operation of the nuclear reactor, life on board or the conservation of foodstuffs: "
The endurance limit of a
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