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Page 2 of 7 ARMAMENT: The DAPHNE has eight internal torpedo tubes in the bow arranged in two vertical rows of four, plus four external stern tubes. As the design of the submarine is already very compact, it was decided to dispense with reloads to economise on space. All twelve tubes are of the French non-standard 550 mm diameter and are therefore limited to the larger French torpedoes. Modern torpedo tube designs, under the auspices of the NATO controlling orders, have all standardise on a 533 mm diameter. New technologies now allow torpedoes of 533 mm diameter to be fitted with the aid of spacers (sabots). French torpedoes of the period shared many common components in order to facilitate production and maintenance. The DAPHNE is capable of carrying three different types of torpedoes, namely
- E-14 anti~ship torpedo is 4.3 meters long and fitted with a passive acoustic homing head. It is relatively slow by modern standards with a speed of 25 knots and a maximum range of 7 500 meters.
- E-15 anti~ship torpedo is essentially an E-14 with an additional battery section added for an extended range of 12 000 meters.
- L-3 anti-submarine torpedo is a free running antisubmarine torpedo with an active acoustic homing head. It's length, speed and range is identical to the E 14.
All three types of torpedoes can be launched from the front internal tubes, but the aft external tubes can only accommodate, the E-14 and L-3 types. The torpedoes can be launched through the full operational envelope of the submarine as the torpedo tube design is of the positive ejection type.
ELECTRONICS:
As originally completed the DAPHNEs were fitted with DUUA-1B active/passive sonar in a prominent bulb above the stem. At the foot of the bow, a large dome accommodate the DSUV-2 semi-circular passive array. These arrays are backed up by a second DUUA-1B fitted at the rear of the fin to guard the stern sector. These primary arrays are supplemented by the DUUX-2A passive ranging sonar and AUUD/DUUG-1 sonar intercept and analyser systems.
The electronics is backed up by an attack periscope of small dimensions and a larger search periscope fitted with a ranging radar and radar warning receiver antenna. A hoistable radar mast is fitted for the DRUA-33 navigational radar. An ARUR-IOB ESM mast is fitted for passive surveillance and warning in a hostile ESM-environment. These masts are supported by two communications masts and a snort mast. All masts can only be used at periscope depth. OPERATIONAL USE:
The DAPHNE design has been at sea for nearly thirty-odd years in the various navies that originally purchased them. Only the Marine Nationale has put their boats in first line reserve. This was due to the fact that they were short on crew to man their latest nuclear attack submarines (SSN) of the RUBIS class.
As an export design the DAPHNE been highly successful, - sold to Pakistan, Portugal, Spain and South Africa. This was despite certain setbacks very early in the sea-going careers of these boats.
ACCIDENTS:
French Accidents. The MINERVE was lost by accident in the Western Mediterranean on 27 January 1968. The EURYDICE went down in the same area on the 4 March 1970. A third boat was reputed to nearly been lost through flooding through the snort head valve. This was caused by the snort head valve being jammed open on lowering by a piece of debris stuck in it. Subsequently all snort masts of the DAPHNEs were redesigned with a grid opening around the snort head valve. The SIRENE sank at Lorient on the 11 October 1972 through flooding through a faulty torpedo tube. The boat was salvaged, refitted and subsequently entered service again.
South African accidents. During work-up trials off the French port of Toulon the SAS MARIA VAN RIEBEECK was involved in a collision on the surface with the French DAPHNE submarine GALATEE. The GALATEE's hull was damaged in the vicinity of the propulsion compartment, resulting in uncontrolled flooding through the stern tubes when the propeller shafts were thrown out of alignment by the force of the collision. The GALATEE was subsequently beached by its Officer Commanding to prevent total loss of the boat and to prevent unnecessary loss of life. A number of French sailors lost their lives. The French subsequently salvaged the GALATEE and replaced the damaged pressure hull with a new section. The original part of the pressure hull removed from the GALATEE after the accident was given to the South Africans and now stands next to the entrance to the Submarine School in Simons Town.
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