Euronaval 2024 – Lacroix works on its next-generation Artissoum signalling device for submarines
French countermeasures and pyrotechnics group Lacroix is developing a new family of submarine-launched signalling devices, to equip Naval Group submarines and other shipbuilder underwater platforms
Currently under development for the French Navy with a contract awarded by the Direction Générale de l’Armement (DGA) in December 2023, the so-called Artissoum is a range of devices intended to replace the company’s Bombette family of pyrotechnic signals. It will incorporate a number of improvements to the existing submarine signalling device to enhance safety and performance.
Pryotechnic signals are used by submarine crews when submerged as a way to send signals on the surface to be visible to aircraft and other surface vessels. They can also be used to generate a false sonar echo, in order to disrupt the submarine detection by a surface vessel, a submarine, an helicopter or a torpedo.
The Bombette family was designed more than 30 years ago to be deployed from Naval Group-designed submarines, which are so far operated by the French Navy and export customers, including the navies of Brazil, India and Malaysia.
Based on the feedback of the French Navy users and maintainers, Lacroix has developed devices that have improved safety and can be operated at higher depth, based on the higher performances of the latest generation submarine platforms, according to Louis Boulle, naval programme manager at the French company.
Key improvements introduced by Lacroix include: a stronger casing to withstand higher pressures at greater depths, as the signalling devices are stored outside the pressurized hull and are replenished before the mission; a double safety device to activate the pyrotechnic, with two independent conditions to arm it, a fuse pin breakage by ejection pressure in the launching tube, and a safety mechanism operating while the device is leaving the tube; a removable cap on the signalling device safety mechanism to enhance safety during manual handling (such as loading/unloading and maintenance operations) and increase safety during storage. New visual markings in the form of coloured stickers to prevent loading errors have also been introduced.
With a length and diameter of respectively 478 mm and 101 mm, the device comes in three types of signals: coloured stars 6233 (either red, yellow, or green); coloured smoke 6323 (red or green – for day use only); and white smoke with a yellow flame 6192 (for night and day use). The product range is REACH compliant.
The first prototype is expected to be delivered to the French Navy for testing at sea, aiming at 2025, for performance and safety qualification according to the DGA process. In parallel, Lacroix will upgrade the manufacturing chain and will deliver an initial batch to the DGA for the qualification trials and operational evaluation.
Under the current planning, Lacroix aims to have its Artissoum available to the market in 2026-2027. In addition to the Naval Group’s current and future submarine customers, Lacroix aims in cooperation at equipping other shipbuilder’s underwater platforms, namely those being built by tkMS.
Images and photos courtesy Lacroix
