At Euronaval 2026 French countermeasures specialist Lacroix has introduced Artissoum In, its latest submarine signalling and decoy solutions family. The new system expands the company’s established pyrotechnic portfolio, making its advanced countermeasures compatible with submarines equipped with internal launch systems, such as those built by TKMS and Daewoo
On submarines equipped with external launching systems, such as those built by Naval Group and Navantia, the Lacroix new Artissoum decoy and signalling devices are carried in baskets on the outside of the hull and fired vertically using compressed air or pressured water. They can now also be launched from inside the submarine, receiving the designation Artissoum In.
Historically used by the French Marine Nationale submarines for over two decades Lacroix submarine signalling and decoy devices have been updated and given the name Artissoum. The new Artissoum family, developed under a contract awarded by the French defence procurement agency (DGA) in December 2023, has completed the development, and qualification is expected in 2027 for the launch of production at the very beginning of 2028, according to Louis Boulle, naval programme manager at Lacroix.
The new Artissoum products line incorporates several improvements compared to current generation of submarine signalling devices provided by the same company. 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 the company.
The Artissoum products range includes signalling devices used for surface identification, simulated attack communication, and distress signalling via red star rockets. Additionally, the portfolio features anti-sonar decoy bombs designed to generate false sonar echoes, effectively disrupting detection attempts by surface ships, hostile submarines, helicopters, and incoming torpedoes.
Key improvements introduced by Lacroix with the Artissoum family 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. The product range is REACH compliant.
Previously, these optimized devices were restricted to platforms with external launch systems, such as Naval Group and Navantia submarines. The debut of the Artissoum In variant at Euronaval 2026 bridges this gap. To expand the market which can be reached by the company and the interest shown for its new family of products, Lacroix has worked with internal funding to allow the Artissoum family to be launched by submarines equipped with an internal launch configuration. This system ejects the bomblets using compressed air or pressurised water, devices are launched one at a time. To ensure compatibility, Lacroix has redesigned the interface components between the device and the launcher, adding a retaining disc with a diameter slightly larger than the device itself. Lacroix also adapted the safety mechanism so that it remains effective while the device is inside the launch tube.
Thanks to these modifications, the Artissoum In products are capable to be launched from TKMS and Daewoo built submarines, making this products line available at the same time of the new Artissoum family devices.
Photo courtesy Lacroix
