Kilo Class Submarines History

The Kilo Class (Project 877) submarine was designed for anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare in the protection of naval bases, coastal installations and sea lanes, and also for general reconnaissance and patrol missions. The Kilo is considered to be to be one of the quietest diesel submarines in the world. The submarine consists of six watertight compartments separated by transverse bulkheads in a pressurised double-hull. This design and the submarine's good reserve buoyancy lead to increased survivability if the submarine is holed, even with one compartment and two adjacent ballast tanks flooded. The foreplanes are positioned on the upper hull in front of the fin or sail. The command and control systems and fire control systems are located in the main control room which is sealed off from the other compartments.

 

Diesel-Electric Submarine - Project 877

The Project 636 design is a generally improved development of the Project 877EKM Kilo class that represents an interim design between the standard 'Kilo' and the new Lada project. The Project 636 is actively promoted for the world market by the Rosvoorouzhenie state-owned company. This submarine has improved range, firepower, acoustic characteristics and reliability. Visually distinguished by a step on the aft casing, the length of the hull is extended by two frame spacings (2 x 600 mm). The additional length permitted increasing the power of diesel-generators and mounting them on improved shock-absorbing support, and reducing twofold the main propulsion shaft speed. Owing to these improvements, the submarine speed and sea endurance were increased, while the noise level was radically decreased. The low noise level of the submarine has been achieved with the selection of quiet machinery, vibration and noise isolation and a special anti-acoustic rubber coating applied on the outer hull surface.

PTDI to hand over aircraft to S Korea by end of 2010

State aircraft manufacturer PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) is scheduled to hand over one of four CN-235/ MPA (Maritime Patrol Aircraft) ordered by South Korea, by the end of 2010.

"Four CN-235/ MPA aircraft are currently under construction by PTDI to meet the South Korean order. One of the planes would be handed over to South Korea by the end of 2010," PT Dirgantara Indonesia`s chief spokesman Rokhendi said in Bandung Friday.

He said the four CN-235/MPA planes are ordered by South Korea under a contract signed in 2008 at a total cost of 94.5 million US dollars. The production of the four aircraft would be completed in 2012.

South Korea Enters The Big Leagues

A South Korean firm is building the ESM (Electronic Support Measures) equipment for the six new Type 214 submarines their navy is buying. The ESM suite is designed by a Swedish company, but is subcontracting the construction of the equipment to South korea LIG Nex1. This brings home the fact that South Korea has become an electronics superpower over the last three decades. In terms of electronics items manufactured, South korea is fourth behind the U.S., Japan and China. This has led to the establishment of specialized firms, like LIG Nex1, which do precision, and specialized work, like ESM systems. South Korea has been a growing manufacturer of military electronics, mainly in support of their local production of warships, armored vehicles and high tech weapons.

South Korea also builds submarines, also a very specialized field. A decade ago, South Korea ordered three German 214s, and the first of those entered service two years ago. The boats were built in South Korea, using licensed technology from the German developer (HDW).

Four years ago, the South Koreans dropped plans to built several large, 3,000 ton, diesel-electric subs. But now, this plan has been revived. But first, the six additional 1,600 ton Type 214 subs will be built over the next 14 years, in addition to the three already planned. South Korea already has nine 1,100 ton Type 209 subs, designed and built in Germany.

ISRAEL TO PURCHASE A FOURTH GERMAN SUBMARINE

Israel is negotiating with Germany to buy a new submarine, Dolphin class, able to fire nuclear missiles, the Maariv Israeli daily reported here.

Israel Dolphin class Photo : naval technology

Maariv quoted a “senior” Israeli source as saying Wednesday negotiations are taking place between Israel and Germany which are in an “advanced” stage at present.

U.S,British Might Share Firing Device to Update Nuclear Arms

The Obama administration is taking initial steps to develop a "common fuse" aimed at replacing aging firing devices in two different U.S. nuclear weapons, and could partner with the United Kingdom in developing the technology.

The United States and the United Kingdom might jointly develop a single fuse 

for use on three different nuclear weapons, including one of the warheads deployed 

on the Trident D-5 submarine-launched ballistic missile, shown above (U.S. Navy photo).

The U.S. Defense Department's Nuclear Posture Review -- a broad assessment of strategy, forces and readiness -- could highlight the initiative as a potential collaborative and cost-saving measure, according to insiders. The major review is expected on Capitol Hill by March 1.

A fuse is widely regarded as a critical feature on a nuclear weapon because it controls whether and when the warhead detonates, and that can affect how much damage is inflicted.

Under the new initiative, a single fuse could potentially replace three different devices in the U.S. and British nuclear arsenals.