SEA
POWER INTERNATIONAL
Russian Navy Moves Forward
with "Fourth-Generation" SSNs
By ANTONY PRESTON
Antony Preston, a London-based naval analyst and broadcaster, is co-founder
of the international newsletter NAVINT.
The Rubin Central Naval Design Bureau has announced that it is developing
fourth-generation submarines. Rubin's head, academician Igor Spassky,
said in an interview, "We are developing submarine concepts for
the next two decades. The submarine Gepard, which has recently been put
to trial, is one of the latest third-generation submarines. We are working
on fourth-generation submarines now."
NATO has given the codename Akula II to the new design, but the official
Russian Navy designation for the Bars-class boat is Project 971M. The
Gepard, which previously had been reported to have started trials in
the White Sea (following delivery last year by the Severodvinsk shipyard),
is the second Akula II to be completed, and is claimed to be superior
in many respects to SSNs (nuclear-powered attack submarines) of the U.S.
Navy's Los Angeles class, but this assessment must be seen in its proper
context. It would hardly surprise anyone if the latest Russian SSN design
were superior in at least some ways to what are now the oldest attack
submarines in the U.S. Navy's inventory. Much more relevant would be
a claim that the Akula II is superior to the U.S. Seawolf- and Virginia-class
SSNs.
Related note: Asked about the causes of the Kursk tragedy, Spassky said
that he has his own ideas: "We Russian Navy scientists assess the
whole situation with Kursk critically. We are mapping out measures that
can be worked out in order to minimize the impact of forces that hit
the Kursk, but in essence this is combat impact, and it is extremely
difficult to rescue a ship from such impact. Unfortunately, it [also]
is impossible to make protection against such impact."
Helicopter Trials
Aboard British Trimaran
A Royal Navy Lynx Mk 8 helicopter has successfully carried out a series
of takeoffs from and landings on the deck of the trimaran demonstrator
RV Triton. The ship is operated by Qinetiq (formerly the U.K. Defense
Evaluation & Research Agency); the trials were funded by the Defense
Procurement Agency (DPA).
Since delivery to Qinetiq in August last year, the Triton has conducted
a series of seakeeping and structural trials, as well as major naval
operational trials, which included a replenishment at sea (RAS) with
the auxiliary RFA Brambleleaf. During a visit to the East Coast of the
United States, Triton carried out side-by-side trials with the U.S. Coast
Guard medium-endurance cutter USCGC Campbell. The U.S. trials included
maneuvering and seakeeping operations using a number of different bearings
and speeds. RV Triton is currently carrying out a major series of hydrodynamic
trials prior to starting the major trials scheduled for this autumn and
winter.
Franco-Dutch Upgrades
Planned for Polish Corvettes
The Polish Naval Shipyard Stocznia Marynarki Wojennej (SMW) and Thales
Nederland have signed a contract for the modernization of the combat
systems in three ex-East German Project 660 Orkan-class corvettes of
the Polish Navy. The ships' communications systems will be supplied by
Thales Naval GmbH, a German subsidiary of Thales Nederland.
Thales Nederland (formerly the independent company Signaal but now part
of the spreading Thales empire), acting through Thales Naval Nederland
(TNNL), will supply a fully distributed Thales TACTICOS modular combat
system, using multifunction operator consoles (MOC Mk 3) and its own
application software.
The main characteristic of these systems is the full integration into
the system of both the various sensors, including those supplied by other
contractors, and the hard- and soft-kill weapons. The STING-EO is the
selected fire control system; integration of the existing guns is part
of the overall project. Besides the combat systems in the Orkan class,
a land-based integration and programming system is included in the contract.
Officials said that TNNL will involve Polish industry in high-technology
areas of the program--such as the development of interfaces and the development
and production of subsystems. Full transfer of technology to Polish industry
will take place progressively, the officials said, during the program
for the combat system integration (CSI) activities. The Gdynia-based
naval shipyard SMW, which is supervised by the Polish Ministry of National
Defense, is the oldest shipyard in Poland. It has served the Polish Navy
for 80 years.
CAE Wins Contract
To Build ROKN MCM Craft
CAE has been awarded a contract by Kangnam Shipbuilding of Seoul in
the Republic of Korea (ROK, i.e., South Korea) to provide its Integrated
Platform Management System (IPMS) for two new combination minesweeper/hunters for the ROK Navy (ROKN). The market value of the contract is
estimated at $3 million per ship. The CAE IPMS will monitor and control
the entire hull, electrical, and mechanical devices of the ships, including
their propulsion, electrical distribution, steering, damage control,
and navigation systems.
The IPMS also may be capable of providing advanced automation for the
enhanced operational effectiveness and survivability of the ship. The
ROKN plans to build up to a dozen of the 500-ton vessels of the Yangyang
class.
CAE already has completed the contract requirements for the first ship
of the class, and also has delivered control systems for the ROKN's new
minelayer and KDX II destroyer programs.
Successful TLAM Launch
For HMS Trafalgar
The U.K. Royal Navy's nuclear-powered attack submarine HMS Trafalgar
has successfully fired a Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM) during weapons
tests in the Gulf of Mexico. The Tomahawk flew to its target at Eglin
Air Force Base's test range in western Florida, using its Global Positioning
System (GPS) and digital mapping navigation techniques.
The TLAM made a simulated aerial detonation close above its target before
being safely recovered by parachute. All mission planning and targeting
data was provided directly to the Trafalgar via a satellite link from
the Royal Navy's operational headquarters at Northwood, northwest of
London.
The Trafalgar is the third Tomahawk-armed SSN in R.N. service; the weapon
system is expected to achieve Fleet Weapon Acceptance (FWA) by the end
of this year. The TLAM, or possibly a tube-launched version of the Tactical
Tomahawk, will arm the next class of Royal Navy SSNs--ships of the Astute
class, expected to join the fleet beginning in 2005.
Royal Thai Navy
Orders New Helicopters
The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) has ordered two Super Lynx Series 300 naval
helicopters, including integrated logistic support and services, in a
contract worth some $25 million. A significant feature of the contract
is an obligation on the part of Westland Helicopters to undertake counter-trade
in Thai products, to the value of 50 percent of the contract price.
The helicopters are planned to operate from four RTN frigates and offshore
patrol vessels, presumably the Chinese-built Jianghu type. The Super
Lynx 300 will be used primarily for antisubmarine warfare, surface surveillance,
and antipiracy patrol missions.
The Super Lynx 300 program, launched by Westland Helicopters (now AgustaWestland)
in 1998, incorporates a new integrated glass cockpit and the more powerful
CTS800-4N engine jointly developed by Rolls Royce and Honeywell. The
T800 matches Super Lynx's increased operational demands with a newer,
more powerful Full Authority Digital Electronic Control (FADEC) engine.
Danish MOD Announces
RDN Requirement for ESSM
The Danish Ministry of Defense has re-issued a notification of a Royal
Danish Navy (RDN) requirement for an advanced fire-control system for
its Evolved SeaSparrow Missile (ESSM) system. ESSM will equip all future
major RDN warships.
The contract will cover production, installation, deployment and functional
verification for two systems initially, and possibly two or more additional
systems at a later date. The Ministry indicated that it wants potential
suppliers to make maximum use of commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) equipment.
Invitations to Tender (ITTs) are expected to be issued in the first six
months of next year, with the first system to be delivered in 2005 and
probably operational by 2006.
The ESSM systems are earmarked for the RDN's two 4,000-ton patrol ships
scheduled to be completed in 20052006; the RDN's long-term plans
include at least two more ships configured for the support mission. |
