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FS Agosta (S620)


Diesel-Electric Attack Submarine


France | 1977



"The Agosta-class diesel-electric boats served the French Navy for over twenty-years before being given up in favor of nuclear-powered types."

Power & Performance
Those special qualities that separate one sea-going vessel design from another. Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for FS Agosta (S620).
2 x SEMT-Pielstick diesel engines developing 3,600 horsepower with 1 x Electric motor generating 2,950 horsepower to 1 x Shaft.
Propulsion
12.5 kts
14.4 mph
Surface Speed
20.5 kts
23.6 mph
Submerged Speed
8,690 nm
10,000 miles | 16,093 km
Range
Structure
The bow-to-stern, port-to-starboard physical qualities of FS Agosta (S620).
54
Personnel
Complement
219.9 ft
67.03 meters
O/A Length
19.7 ft
6.00 meters
Beam
17.8 ft
5.43 meters
Draught
1,500
tons
Displacement
1,760
tons
Displacement (Submerged)
Armament
Available supported armament and special-mission equipment featured in the design of FS Agosta (S620).
4 x 53mm (21") torpedo tubes fitted to the bow (support for ECAN L5 Mod 3 and ECAN F17 Mod 2 torpedo types). Sm.39 Exocet anti-ship missile capability added in 1980s.
Ships-in-Class (4)
Notable series variants as part of the FS Agosta (S620) family line as relating to the Agosta-class group.
FS Agosta (S620); FS Beveziers (S621); FS La Praya (S622); FS Duessant (S623)
Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 01/01/2019 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

The Agosta-class diesel-electric attack submarines were adopted by the French Navy specifically for patrol work along the crucial waterways of the Mediterranean Theater. The series was also adopted by the navies of Spain and Pakistan and continue in service with those two countries today (2016). The French Navy operated the class for about two decades before the line was retired in the early 2000s. A total of four Agosta-class boats were on hand with the French Navy - lead boat Agosta (S620) and her sisters Beveziers (S621), La Praya (S622) and Ouessant (S623).These marked the final diesel-electric driven boats servicing the French Navy prior to the move to an all-nuclear undersea force.

The series succeeded the outgoing Daphne-class boats and was itself succeeded by the newer, more modern and powerful Scorpene-class family.

The Agosta-class was born from the 1970-1975 French naval rearmament and modernization program and served collectively from the latter part of the decade until the new millennium. They showcased conventional profiles with their rounded bow sections, tapered sterns, and forward-set conning towers. Dimensions included a length of 219.9 feet, a beam of 19.7 feet and a draught of 17.8 feet. The vessels displaced 1,500 tons surfaced and 1,760 tons submerged. The crew numbered 54 men.

Power was from 2 x SEMT-Pielstick diesel engines developing 3,600 horsepower paired with 1 x Electric motor generating 2,950 horsepower. The diesel units propelled the boat during surfaced travel and the electric fit was used for underwater work. Either propulsion scheme drove a single shaft. Maximum speed while surfaced reached 12 knots and speeds in excess of 20 knots were reached when submerged. The boats could manage operations down to 980 feet. The boats were engineered for low-noise operation but able to perform at high-speed in deep waters. Sensors and processing systems included the Thomson CSF DRUA-33 series radar and several onboard sonar systems including the DSUV 62A series towed array.

Armament centered on 4 x 533mm (21") torpedo tubes (all fitted to the bow) and these featured pneumatic-rammed reloading for rapid response. The boats were also capable of engaging with torpedoes at any depth reachable and at any speed, offering considerable tactical flexibility. In the 1980s, the French boats were given capabilities to launch the SM-39 "Exocet" anti-ship missile from underwater.

Agosta, the lead ship of the French group, was completed in 1977 and saw service until decommissioned in 1997.

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Operators
Global operator(s) of the FS Agosta (S620). Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national naval warfare listing.
National flag of France

[ France (retired) ]
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