BAE wins UK naval contracts worth £427m

BAE Systems has won a £127million ($189million) four-year contract to produce the specification for development and manufacture of a new class of British warship, Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth said.

Astute class submarine: Made in Cumbria

Ainsworth said he had also agreed for BAE to start building the fifth of a planned seven Astute class submarines in Barrow-in-Furness, and begin procurement for the sixth, at a cost of over £300million.

The warship contract was awarded after the government decided to proceed with the assessment phase for the Type 26 Combat ship, the Royal Navy's next generation surface warship, Ainsworth said in a statement.

dailymail

Siemens delivers fuell cell AIP propulsion for Italian Navy’s two 212A type submarines

The Siemens Industry Solutions Division has received an order from Fincantieri Cantieri Navali Italiani S.p.A., Genova, to equip for the Italian navy two new submarines of the 212 A type with the latest drive, automation and power engineering. Already in summer 2009, Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft GmbH (HDW) contracted Siemens to provide the submarines with fuel-cell modules for air-independent propulsion. The current order volume is in the double-digit million-euro range.

U212A type submarine of the Italian navy equipped with fuel cell technology from Siemens near Taranto, Italy.

The order for Siemens from the Italian navy includes the supply of a Permasyn motor (permanently excited synchronous propulsion motor) for each boat, switchgear and the marine automation system EMCS (Engineering, Monitoring and Control System). The solutions and systems being used are part of the Sinavy SUB family of products developed for submarines and comply with the high requirements of submarine specifications.

The Permasyn motor was especially designed to propel submarines. The motor is extremely compact and lightweight, and because a converter is integrated inside the motor, it is highly efficient. Thanks to its special design, the Permasyn motor offers much higher performance and is quieter than DC motors available up until now, and it produces only small amounts of electromagnetic radiation. The integrated automation system EMCS controls, monitors and coordinates the vessel’s engineering systems. Operator control and visualization are carried out centrally from the control console. As a result, the operator is relieved from having to perform routine tasks, operation of the submarines is made easier, and safety and reliability are increased. The scope of supply also includes submarine-specific DC voltage switchgear, technical service and electronic documentation.

frontierindia

Navy prepares to commission newest submarine, the New Mexico

The Navy is preparing to commission its newest submarine.

The Virginia-class attack sub New Mexico is outfitted with the newest technology.

NewsChannel 3 was given a special tour of the inside of the ship at Naval Station Norfolk.

The boat is one of the first *not* to have a standard periscope.

"We're the first class of submarine that has a non-penetrating scope," says Commander Mark Prokopius. "Basically all it is, is a color camera, black and white camera, and infrared camera all mounted on top of the mast that comes out of the water. So it's just like looking out of your digital camera but that's projected on a screen down in the control room."

The New Mexico will be commissioned this Saturday.

wtkr

Navy to buy seven submarines

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Navy is in discussions with China and France to acquire seven latest conventional submarines, negotiations with Germany to purchase three U-214 is also on cards.

Pakistan is in discussions with China and France to acquire seven latest conventional submarines. — File Photo

Chinese version offers economical price of around $230 million for each boat.

To negotiate with French DCN Company for Marline Submarines, a high level naval delegation will visit France on April 27.

Reliable sources from Pakistan Navy told DawnNews that after three years of continuous negotiations with Germany PN has decided to avail some other options as well for acquiring next-generation submarines.

Sources maintained that Islamabad is deeply interested in acquiring four Chinese Yuan and Song Class and three French Marlin class latest diesel electric conventional versions in a bid to meet any challenge from the rapidly expanding Indian navy.

Submarine Oceanographic System Development

Chelsea Technologies Group is to develop and supply the oceanographic sensor system for HMS Audacious, the fourth Royal Navy Astute class submarine. The oceanographic sensors are designed to provide improved situational awareness and enhanced knowledge of the ocean environment. The robust, high-precision sensors incorporate novel built in test technologies to extend calibration intervals and decrease maintenance costs.

 

The system combines the outboard oceanographic sensors with the expendable bathythermograph system and acoustic modelling tools to provide an integrated environmental suite. The system, together with a shore-based facility, will be delivered in 2010. Industry collaborators include Ultra Electronics and Lockheed Martin.

Chelsea's facility in the UK has previously delivered oceanographic systems for the first three Astute class submarines.

hydro-international

Vietnam asks Russia to help build submarine base

MOSCOW — Russia’s defense minister is being quoted by news reports as saying that Moscow will help Vietnam build a submarine base.

Anatoly Serdyukov said today according to Russian news agencies that Vietnam needs the base for the six diesel-electric submarines it ordered from Russia.

Serdyukov, who visited Vietnam earlier this week, says that the country also wants Russia to help build a ship repair yard that could service visiting Russian navy ships.

The Soviet Union provided Vietnam with billions of dollars in economic and military aid during the Cold War, but ties unraveled after the Soviet collapse. In 2003, Russia withdrew from a Soviet-era naval base in Cam Ranh Bay.

bostonherald

Russia To Test New Unique Project 855 Yasen Nuclear Submarine

Russia will begin tests of its new state-of-the-art multi-purpose nuclear submarine Yasen, Project 855, already in 2010. The unique submarine qualitatively differs from all of its predecessors. Moreover, Yasen will become the first submarine, which was entirely built in Russia during the post-Soviet period, Oleg Burtsev, a senior spokesman for the command of the Russian Navy said.

The new submarine is to be launched in the beginning of May. JSC Sevmash, the company that builds all Russian submarines, is currently busy with making preparations to the landmark moment.

The submarine was named Severodvinsk. Engineers of the company said that it would be quieter and much more powerful than the USA’s Sea Wolf.

Severodvinsk is a twin-hull nuclear submarine with decreased level of acoustic field. The submarine has ten compartments. The cruiser carries an extraordinarily strong complex of arms capable of solving combat tasks with practically any type of modern surface vessels and submarines. For the first time in the history of domestic ship-building, torpedo-launching systems are located behind the compartment of the central station. The new sonar complex Irtysh was installed in the fore end of the sub. Severodvinsk has eight vertical missile-launching systems: each of the systems houses three missiles.

Anti-vessel 3M55 Onix missiles will reportedly become the basic attack weapon of the new submarine. The missile was designed to strike targets at a distance of up to 300 kilometers under the condition of radio-electronic and combat resistance. The missiles are equipped with the system of artificial intelligence and can recognize all electronic images of surface vessels. They destroy the central target in a group, change their tactics and continue to destroy targets on the principle of their importance.

Contract on Scorpene submarine maintenance yet to be signed

The government has yet to formalise the Integrated Service and Support (ISS) contract with Boustead DCNS Naval Corp Sdn Bhd (BDNC) for the maintenance of the Royal Malaysian Navy’s two Scorpene submarines.

Defence industry sources told The Malay Mail that although Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had told Parliament last week that the cost of maintaining the submarines had been capped at RM270 million per year, no formal agreement had been signed.

According to the sources, it is still unclear whether BDNC is agreeable to the new arrangement. Officials from BDNC declined to respond when contacted by The Malay Mail.

However, an official statement on the matter is expected next week. Sources said the formal contractsigning could take place during the upcoming Defence Services Asia 2010 show to be held from April 19 to 21.

BDNC is a joint venture between BHIC Defence Technologies Sdn Bhd and France-based DCNS S.A.

BHIC is a subsidiary of publiclisted Boustead Heavy Industries Corp Bhd. BDNC engineers and technicians are already stationed at the RMN base in Teluk Sepanggar, Sabah, to conduct maintenance and support for KD Tunku Abdul Rahman, one of two Perdana Menteri-class submarines of the RMN, as part of the warranty programme included in the procurement contract.

During Lima 2009, it was announced the government awarded a contract worth RM187.8 million to DCNS for the procurement of operational-level maintenance spare parts and support and test equipment for the Perdana enteri class submarines.

Eight Borei-class subs to be commissioned under state arms program 2007-2015

Russian Navy and particularly submarine force which turned 104 on Friday are getting new nuclear-powered and diesel submarines with new characteristics. Within the framework of state arms program 2007-2015 it is planned to launch full-scale production and to commission eight Borei-class SSBNs which are to become the basis of Russia's naval strategic nuclear forces after 2018, said official from Navy Main HQ. Each nuclear-powered sub will carry 12 Bulava-type ballistic missiles. It is also planned to put into service SSBN Yury Dolgoruky.

According to the official, by 2015 Russian Navy would get several nuclear-powered and diesel submarines of new generation designed by Rubin Central Design Bureau for Marine Engineering.

In 2007 4th generation diesel electric submarine St. Petersburg (Lada class) was delivered to the Navy; in 2008 – diesel electric submarine B-90 Sarov built at defense shipyard Sevmash.

Raytheon Gets $28.1M Order for 8 Sub HDR SATCOM Antennas

Raytheon in Marlborough, MA received a $28.1 million firm-fixed-price modification to a previously awarded contract (N00039-08-C-0115) for 8 submarine high data-rate (Sub HDR) SATCOM antenna systems.

Sub HDR SATCOM Antenna

The Sub HDR (OE-562) antenna, which provides 2-way 256 Kbps data rates via satellite, is deployed by raising a mast-mounted antenna above the surface while the submarine remains submerged at periscope depth.

The OE-562 Sub HDR antenna, along with the OE-538 multi-function mast antenna, replaced the AN/BRA-34 submarine antenna…

The Sub HDR system connects to the Global Broadcast Service, the Milstar satellite constellation, and the Defense Satellite Communication System (DSCS) satellite constellation to send and receive information such as secure wide-band multimedia, voice and data traffic, imagery and video teleconferencing. The system receives on the Ka-band and has the capability to expand to the higher capacity Ku-band.

Raytheon’s Sub HDR multiband SATCOM antenna system (pdf) is designed for Virginia Class submarines, but can be used on other classes of US and UK submarines. The Virginia Class subs have 2 Sub HDR masts that allow simultaneous extremely high frequency (EHF) and super high frequency (SHF) communication.

The Hunter

Sea Dagger Special Operations Submarines, Sweden

The Sea Dagger series of submarines are special operations vehicles developed by Kockums of Malmo, Sweden, now owned by HDW of Germany. The small stealthy submarines are tailored for five types of missions: attack; autonomous swimmer delivery; surveillance and minehunting; and as a target vehicle for antisubmarine warfare exercises and training.

 

The Sea Dagger variants are constructed from three modules, the bow and stern modules and one chosen from four specific mission module options. The submarines are small, with displacement in the range of 55t to 72t, a length of between 16 and 20m, a height of 3.6m and a diameter of 2.5m.

The four variants of Sea Dagger are equipped with sonar, communications systems, and a comprehensive navigation suite including a navigation computer, a gyroscope compass, speed log, depth gauge, echo sounder, global positioning system, navigation radar and optronic mast.

The concept consists of six modules: one and two the bow and stern, with the remaining four specific mission modules.

Russia to help Ukraine maintain sole submarine

Russia will help Ukraine to ensure the technical maintenance of the Zaporozhye submarine, the only one Ukraine has, a top Russian Navy official has said.

Ukraine's only submarine

"We are stepping up our work. We received an application of our Ukrainian partners on the technical maintenance of the submarine, which they repaired and which is going to be put to use," Vice Admiral Oleg Burtsev, first deputy chief of the staff of the Russian Navy, said here yesterday.

Relations between the Russian and Ukrainian Navies "are becoming reasonable and humane," he said.

The Zaporozhye diesel electric submarine is the only submarine possessed by the Ukrainian Navy.

It was built in 1972 under Project No. 641 (Foxtrot, under the NATO classification). Its surface speed is 16.4 knots, and the submerged speed is 16 knots. The length of the hull is 91 metres.

source : ptinews.com

Germany Now World's Third Largest Arms Exporter

Germany has become the world's third largest arms exporter, with many of its weapons, including this submarine, earmarked for Greece.

German arms exports more than doubled during the last five years, according to a new report, placing the country behind just the US and Russia on the list of the world's largest weaponry exporters. The opposition in Berlin wants more oversight.

When it comes to arms exports, few will be surprised that the US tops the list, with 30 percent of global expenditures on arms going to weaponry from America. Second place is likewise hardly a shocker -- 23 percent of the world's weapons originate in Russia.

Third place, though, is raising more eyebrows. According to the 2009 annual report put together by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Germany's weapons exports have more than doubled in the last five years, to 11 percent of the global total. German submarines and tanks, the report makes clear, have gained a number of loyal customers.

Given Berlin's tentative forays into geopolitics in recent years -- against a backdrop of deep domestic skepticism about German involvement in conflicts across the globe -- it is perhaps not surprising that the opposition is up in arms at the SIPRI ranking.

Indeed, the Greens are now demanding greater parliamentary oversight for arms exports. "This report shows that we need more stringent control over and sharper criteria governing arms exports," Green leader Claudia Roth told the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger. Parliament must finally get the right to monitor the government's weapons exports, she continued, adding that such control was commonplace elsewhere.

Russia and Japan recycle nuclear subs

the recycling of nuclear submarines. Photo: RIA Novosti

A Russian-Japanese project for recycling nuclear submarines has been completed in Russia’s far-eastern Maritime Region. Aimed at reducing the threat of ecological pollution and ensuring nuclear safety in the Pacific, the project was launched in 2006. Five submarines of the Russian Pacific Fleet have been recycled, four at the Zvezda plant in the town of Bolshoi Kamen and one at a Kamchatka plant. A floating platform to process liquid radioactive waste has been built in Russia and the first multi-purpose submarine of the Victor type has been scrapped under the project, which is part of an intergovernmental treaty on cooperation in disarmament.

Source ruvr.ru

Russia: Navy needs at least 50 nuke subs

The Russian navy needs at least 50 nuclear powered submarines to counter overseas threats, a top Russian navy officer says.

Though the navy has about 60 strategic, multifunctional and diesel-powered submarines that are combat ready, "The number of nuclear submarines in Russia's Navy should be no less than 40-50," First Deputy of the Naval General Staff Vice Adm. Oleg Burtsev said, RIA Novosti reported.

Burtsev said France, Britain and the United States have at least nine combat-ready nuclear subs at sea at all times. "In order to counterbalance them, we need to have two or three nuclear-powered submarines (ready at all times). They need to know that we are prepared to respond to any strike," he said.