New cutting-edge weapon capable of sinking French Navy patrol boat

But why did this submarine torpedo a patrol boat belonging to the French Navy? Don’t worry, as this was a test of a new cutting-edge weapon.

As reported by Futura-sciences, last December, a French nuclear attack submarine (SNA) sent the French patrol boat Premier-Maître L'Her to the bottom of the sea. This wasn’t an accidental friendly fire, but an actual test. The F21 heavy torpedo, armed with its combat munition, was launched at a real target: a National Navy ship, which was just an empty hull.

This patrol boat, after 40 years of loyal service, had ceased its activities last July. Having been decontaminated beforehand, the ship was the ideal target for this next-generation weapon. According to the Ministry of the Armed Forces, the ship was broken in two and quickly propelled several thousand metres deep.

A design by Naval Group

It was Naval Group that designed the F21 "Artemis" heavy torpedo, intended for neutralising underwater or surface threats, notes Futura-sciences. Its characteristics? 1.5 tonnes, 6 metres long, capable of speeds up to 90km/h with a range of 50km, and an explosive charge of 250kg.

According to the French Ministry of the Armed Forces, due to the "increasingly challenging international context [...], it now seems relevant [...] to resort again, occasionally, to such sea weapon testing".

(MH with Manon Pierre - Source: Futura-sciences - Illustration: ©Unsplash)