Major Overhaul completed for the submarine Le Terrible

Right on schedule in April, the nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SNLE) Le Terrible successfully completed its test launch, the final step before returning to active duty. For TechnicAtome and its industrial partners, this test marks the end of two years of work to upgrade the boiler room equipment.

Beginning in October 2020, the “IPER phase”—periodic unavailability for maintenance and repair—allowed the entire submarine to be disassembled, inspected, and then reassembled. Working on the onboard boiler room, TechnicAtome’s teams and those of its partners—notably its subsidiary Arcys—carried out work on numerous pieces of equipment. Scheduled every 10 years for submarines, the IPER is a major event for TA. This inspection of all components involves the participation of TechnicAtome teams from Brest, where the IPER takes place, as well as those from Cadarache, who will receive components for upgrades, along with teams from all engineering disciplines. All contribute to restoring the boiler room’s operational readiness.

The Terrible will be able to resume active duty with the Navy, and soon it will be the Vigilant submarine’s turn to enter the Bret dry docks to begin its IPER.