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Naming ceremony of fuel cell submarine “U36” for the German Navy in Kiel

One of the most modern non-nuclear submarines in the world was named today at the shipyard of ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems GmbH, a company of ThyssenKrupp Industrial Solutions AG, under the name of “U36”. This marks another important milestone in the ongoing shipbuilding programme for the German Navy. U36 is the second boat of the second batch of HDW Class 212A submarines destined for operation in the German Navy. The German town of Plauen has assumed sponsorship for U36. The ultra-modern submarine was named by Silke Elsner, companion to the Mayor.

“We at ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems are committed as a naval shipyard enterprise characterised by maximum technological competence, geared first and foremost to the production of non-nuclear submarines and high-end naval surface vessels”, says Andreas Burmester, Chairman of the Board of Directors. “We will shortly be proud to hand over this newly named submarine to the German Navy as another “masterpiece” of German engineering.”

The contract to deliver a second batch of two HDW Class 212A submarines was signed on 22nd September 2006 in Koblenz with the German Office for Military Technology and Procurement/BWB (now the German Office for Equipment, Information Technology and Employment of the Bundeswehr/BAAINBW). The submarine building activities are taking place at the shipyards of ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems in Kiel and Emder Werft- und Dockbetriebe in Emden.

The two additional units will be largely identical to their sister ships from the first batch. They are also equipped with the HDW air-independent fuel cell propulsion system which has already given excellent results in operations with the boats of the first batch. The German Navy submarine U32 gave renewed proof of this in April 2013. On the way to participate in naval exercises in the USA the boat produced a new record for non-nuclear submarines with 18 days in submerged transit without snorkelling.

To meet changes in operational scenarios and to take constant technological advances into account, a number of modifications have been made in the second batch:
• Integration of a communications system for Network Centric Warfare
• Installation of an integrated Sonar and Command and Weapon Control System
• Installation of a superficial lateral antenna sonar
• Replacement of one periscope by an optronics mast
• Installation of a hoistable mast with towable antenna-bearing buoy to enable communication from the deep submerged submarine
• Integration of a lock system for Special Operation Forces
• Tropicalisation to enable world-wide operations.
The Italian Navy has also decided in favour of a second batch of two HDW Class 212A submarines, which are being built under licence by the Italian shipyard Fincantieri. That means that the Italian Navy will soon also have four boats of this class available for operations.
U36 – Technical Data:
General boat data:
Length over all: approx. 57 m
Height including sail: approx. 11.5 m
Maximum hull diameter: approx. 7 m
Displacement: approx. 1,500 t
Crew: 28
Pressure hull built of non-magnetic steel

Small Boats – Big Gains!

As domestic economies change into a global market, dependent on the ocean for energy, food and transportation, the open seas becoming contested areas, and pirates, outlaws and terrorists using isolated littorals as safe haven, prowling waterways and the open sea along international merchant routes, no wonder that governments are looking for new means to deal with the new challenges. Submariners World reports from IMDEX 2013.

Changing interest span from securing off-shore assets throughout littoral and Economical Exclusion Zone (EEZ), protecting economical rights including fishery, mineral resources and merchant marine routes. Coastal protection, particularly addressing terror threats and infiltration from the sea, is also critical in defending urban centers, key infrastructure, port facilities, power stations and other strategic assets.

With the rising costs of maritime security, government agencies are interested in smaller, highly versatile boats that could operate effectively in peacetime, emergency and at war. Boats that can effectively chase smugglers, and human traffickers, defeat well-armed terror attacks and become part of the nation’s maritime power in time of war.

This is an excerpt of an article currently reserved for members only.

An affordable ‘interceptor’ type boat, Mini-Dvora enables fast and highly responsive teams to efficiently cover large areas from forward operating bases. Requiring low maintenance and minimal shore support, these boats can efficiently operate either under naval flotillas or independently, from small port facilities under coast guard control. Forward deployment can dramatically save transit time back and forth to their patrol areas, further improving utilization and lowering operating cost. With smaller boats, lower fuel costs, and minimal crews, life cycle cost of small boats is significantly lower than larger vessels. Moreover, preventive maintenance is also shorter – requiring few weeks every two years to bring the boat back in shape.

The SDMR variant uses a the Super-Dvora Mk III hull designed with a modular approach, enabling the customer to integrate specific mission systems, thus modifying the boat for new missions. These include coastal defense, surface attack, command and control etc.

The Navguard radar developed by IAI Elta Systems is a common system shared by all configurations. This radar detects all types of threats, including guided or unguided missiles fired at the boat. The system is configured in a four-panel scheme, fully integrated with signal processing and target acquisition necessary to drive active protection systems. The system’s modules are connected via fiber-optical links, for maximum speed and security. The system uses fiber-optical has already been tested at sea, proving excellent results. A unique capability offering the SDMR a high level of survivability, particularly against asymmetric threats,

In addition to self-protection, the boat is also equipped with a stabilized electro-optical payload with an integrated laser designation capability, supporting precision attack weapons. Other sensors include passive EO, communications (COMINT) and other electronic signals detector ESM.

According to Ramta, on the SMDR, a crew of 10 can effectively fulfill all tasks. The key to such efficiency is newly designed Combat Information Center (CIC) and operating consoles. Instead of dedicating specific console for each task (detection, identification, defensive systems, offensive systems, situational display, communications etc.) IAI introduced a common, compact operating station integrating all functions into a single display, similar to those used in the cockpit of fighter aircraft. Specific tasks are shown on different displays, integrated into the situational picture, which also supports routine operations. A typical CIC layout in the SDMR comprises three common and interchangeable workstations that support regular operations in peacetime and can be easily reconfigured into detection, defense and offense workstations at war. To simplify these tasks the system employs extensive automation to simplify and expedite certain processes by minimizing user interactions.

 Eventually, IAI/Ramta plans to expand the Super Dvora to unmanned surface vessels, extending capabilities developed and fielded by the company in the past 30 years. Such autonomous vessels would establish routine patrols, generate the marine situational picture required for operation and security, supporting manned and unmanned operators with maximum security at an affordable cost.

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CHRISTMAS MESSAGE TO ALL SUBMARINERS

“People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.” 

Many years ago, we all stood as a sentinel with our shipmates aboard submarine’s, regardless of our nation and mission. We spent months at a time isolated from our world, hiding in the ocean’s depths. We stood guard against the evil of our day. We provided a credible deterrent. In so doing, we gave half our life to the sea. We had no communication with the outside world for months on end.

We remember the feelings we had those many years ago while on patrol at Christmas. We remember the sense of isolation we had even though our shipmates were all around. We remember the helpless feeling of not really knowing how our families were doing. We remember the deep sadness of knowing that we would not be home for Christmas. Yet, we were proud then that our sacrifices were helping to provide Peace on Earth.

Our shipmates and  ourselves only endured a loneliness and isolation. Today’s men and women of our military are not only enduring separation from their loved ones, they are constantly placing their lives in “Harm’s Way.” As we celebrate Christmas, let us all pray for their safe return to their families and that they may experience Peace on Earth in their lifetime.

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and God bless our brave men and women serving to protect our freedom!

SSBN Verkhoturye Puts Off for Trials in White Sea

Zvezdochka Ship Repair Center started shipyard's sea trial program of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) Verkhoturye. 

Upon completion of trials and elimination of all found defects, the nuclear submarine will be recommissioned into Russian Navy and head for her permanent basing site.

Works on the submarine's technical recovery and 5-year service life extension started in the fall of 2010. The shipyard has repaired the sub's hull, outboard fittings, ballast tanks, mechanisms of propeller-rudder system and other onboard systems. The submarine was withdrawn from covered slipway in March 2012.

K-51 Verkhoturye nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine was laid down in Feb 1981 at Sevmash shipyard in Severodvinsk, put afloat in Jan 1984, and commissioned in Dec 1984. That was the first submarine in her class deployed in the Arctic with nuclear-headed ballistic missiles onboard in 1987.

She is a second-generation Project 667BDRM Delfin nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, lead sub in her class. Six submarines of this project still make the core of Russia's maritime nuclear deterrence force.

Performance

Surface speed: 14 knots
Submerged speed: 24 knots
Operating depth: 320 - 400 meters
Test depth: 550 - 650 meters
Endurance: 90 days
Crew: 135 - 140 men

Dimensions

Surface displacement: 11,740 tons
Submerged displacement: 18,200 tons
Extreme length (at design waterline): 167.4 meters
Extreme beam: 11.7 meters
Mean draft (at design waterline): 8.8 meters

Armament

4 x 533-mm bow torpedo tubes (12 torpedoes or 24 mines instead)
16 SLBM R-29RM launchers
MANPADS 9K310 Igla-1/9K38 Igla launcher (combat load - 8 SAMs)

Russia to Double Number of Losharik-Class Bathyscaph

JSC Zvezdochka Ship Repair Center resumed construction of a nuclear-powered deep-sea submersible to be a miniature version of Project 10831 Kalitka commonly known as Losharik.

According to newspaper Izvestiya referring to a source in Russian defense industry, name of the new station is kept in secret. Same as Losharik, it will be used for special works at large depths, including seabed researches in the Arctic.

Russian defense ministry refuses to comment this information referring to confidentiality. Purpose of such deep-water bathyscaphs is not reported either. As was said late in Oct 2012, Losharik took part in Arctic seabed research and took bottom soil samples. In prospect, results of those studies may help Russia to expand its Arctic zone beyond 370 km.

According to the source, the new submersible will not yield Losharik in performance. Russian Navy spokesman told Izvestiya that the new submersible would have titanium polyspherical hull, just like Losharik. Most probably, onboard equipment would be same as the Project 10831 submersible has. Nuclear reactor will be new; it is being manufactured in Obninsk, Kaluga region. Project 667BDRM Delfin nuclear-powered submarine BS-64 Podmoskovye will be adapted as a carrier for the new bathyscaphe.

Meanwhile, Project 1851 Nelma deep-water station stays non-completed at the Zvezdochka shipyard. Three such submersibles were built and the fourth one was laid down at Admiralteyskie Verfi shipyard (St. Petersburg) in 1986-1995. The last Nelma was transferred to Zvezdochka shipyard late in 90's.

SSGN Severodvinsk Performed Underwater Cruise Missile Launch

Project 885 Yasen nuclear-powered cruise missile submarine (SSGN) Severodvinsk carried out underwater launch of a supersonic cruise missile against a land-based target during trials in the White Sea, said a source in defense industry on Nov 28.

"Severodvinsk performed the first underwater test launch of a supersonic cruise missile against a land-based target", reports Interfax referring to the source.

As for him, the launch was effective, the target was hit.

"It is the third successive launch of the newest Russian sea-based supersonic missile Caliber", pointed out the interviewee.

On Nov 26, SSGN Severodvinsk performed surface test launch of the missile against a land target, and on Nov 7 the sub successfully launched the cruise missile against sea target.

Russian Navy Commander-in-Chief Admiral Viktor Chirkov said on Aug 17 that trials of SSGN Severodvinsk would finish by the end of the year.

SSGN Severodvinsk is a double-hulled single-shaft nuclear submarine with reduced level of acoustic field. Conning tower has streamlined oval shape; strength hull is subdivided into 10 compartments.

For the first time in Soviet/Russian shipbuilding, torpedo tubes are located not in bows but behind central station; that enabled to use bow space for advanced sonar antenna.

Eight vertical launch tubes are designed for missile arms. Powerful weapon system includes supersonic cruise missiles and multipurpose deep-water homing torpedoes. The sub is also equipped with state-of-the-art communication hardware and navigation aids, and powered by crucially new nuclear powerplant. Introduction of latest Russian military technologies will make Yasen class the world's most silent and covert submarines.

Displacement of SSGN Severodvinsk is 8,600/13,800 tons; dimensions are 119 x 13.5 x 9.4 meters; test depth is 600 meters; speed is 16/31 knots; crew is 90 (32 officers).

Putin: Russia to Continue Rearmament of Submarine Base at Kamchatka

Russia will continue rearmament of submarine base in the forbidden town of Vilyuchinsk, Kamchatka Peninsula, said Russian president Vladimir Putin appearing in the Parliament.

"Russia should have two bases for our strategic submarine force, one in European part, and one in the Far East. That will form very powerful and essential balance in maintaining our national security. These two clusters are located remotely, which is of great military strategic significance", reports Interfax citing Putin.

He emphasized that nuclear submarine force would develop and receive new nuclear missile subs under the national defense strengthening and rearmament program.

"Indeed, we do have rearmament plans, including those for Vilyuchinsk naval base, and they will be implemented, everything is up to schedule", Putin said.

Living conditions of submariners will be improved as well, added the president.

According to RIA Novosti, the up-to-date naval base accommodating nuclear-powered submarines was established in Vilyuchinsk in 2010.

Nerpa Shipyard Starts Dismantling of Nuc Sub Krasnodar

Utilization of the nuclear-powered submarine started at Nerpa Ship Repair Plant in Snezhnogorsk, Murmansk region. The dismantling is jointly sponsored by Russian state-led nuclear corporation Rosatom and Italian Sogin. Italy appropriates over EUR 5 mln for that purpose, reports vpk-news.ru.

 Nuclear-powered submarine K-148 Krasnodar was built by Sevmash shipyard in Severodvinsk and handed over to Northern Fleet in 1986.

K-148 Krasnodar is a third-generation nuclear-powered cruise missile submarine, the lead sub of Project 949A Antei (known in NATO as Oscar II).

Length of Antei-class submarines is 154 meters; displacement is up to 18,000 tons; diving depth is down to 500 meters; submerged speed is up to 28 knots; crew is 130 men.

Each Antei sub is armed with 24 cruise missiles Granit.

Second Sub for Black Sea Fleet Passes Hydraulic Pressure Test

Hydraulic tests of the stern hull section of diesel-electric submarine Rostov-na-Donu were successfully held at Admiralteyskie Verfi shipyard late in Nov 2012; that is the second Project 06363 submarine being built for Russian Navy, a source in the shipyard told Submariners World.

That was the ninth round out of ten hydraulic tests provided by the construction timeline in 2012. Seven of them were performed by 9-th workshop which celebrated its 60-th anniversary on Nov 1.

In the new year of 2013 the shipyard will face another challenging task. They will have to speed up construction of two series of subs (both for national and foreign navies) and hold other ten hydraulic tests.

At present, Admiralteyskie Verfi is building three diesel-electric submarines under updated Project 06363 Varshavyanka for Russian Navy. The first sub for Black Sea Fleet (B-261 Novorossiysk) was laid down in Aug 2010 and is planned for launching late in 2013. The second submarine (B-237 Rostov-na-Donu) was laid down in Nov 2011. Keel for the third one, B-262 Stary Oskol was laid down in Aug 2012. In total, Russian Navy will receive six Project 0636 submarines by 2017 and form a brigade.

The shipyard is also executing an export order for six Project 06361 subs for Vietnamese Navy. The contract value is about $2 bln. Being laid down in 2009, the lead submarine Hanoi was put afloat in Aug 2012.

Fifth Buyan-Class Corvette Gets Name of Serpukhov

The fifth Buyan-M-class corvette obtained the name of Serpukhov, a source in Zelenodolsk Shipyard told Submariners World. Municipal administration of Serpukhov, Moscow region has confirmed that information.

Russian Navy Commander-in-Chief ADM Viktor Chirkov on Nov 27 issued a decree No. 725 "On giving the name of Serpukhov to Project 21631 corvette, serial number 635". The Navy commander's decree was signed on application of Alexander Shestun, the head of Serpukhov administration.

The ship will be manned with draftees from Serpukhov district.

Also, the town of Serpukhov is a location of JSC RATEP, the leading manufacturer of control systems for Russian Navy's sea- and coast-based air defense systems.

Serpukhov governor Alexander Shestun and director general of JSC RATEP Vladimir Baibakov are about to attend the ship's keel-laying ceremony at Zelenodolsk Shipyard in Tatarstan. RATEP is planned to supply the new ship with its production, in particular, shipborne radar gunfire control system 5P-10-03 Laska.

The date of laying down the keel for the corvette has not been appointed so far. According to sources in the shipyard, although the yard is technically capable to hold the solemn ceremony even in the current year, most likely the ship would be keel-laid early in 2013. The ceremony would be possibly held on the same day with launching of the lead corvette Grad Sviyazhsk.

Currently, Zelenodolsk Shipyard constructs four Buyan-M-class corvettes.

Lead ship Grad Sviyazhsk (serial number 631) was laid down in Aug 2010 and is expected to be launched in Feb-March 2013. Two next corvettes, Uglich and Veliky Ustyug (serial numbers 632 and 633) were laid down in July and Aug 2011 respectively. Keel for the fourth ship, Zeliony Dol (serial number 634) was laid down late in Aug 2012. The whole series is designed for Caspian Flotilla.

According to Caspian Flotilla (CF) Commander RADM Sergei Alyokminsky "new Project 21631 ships will come to the flotilla in May 2013. They are based on Project 21360 but armed with Caliber missile system. The flotilla will receive two ships every year and in 2016 will have substantial surface ship force".

It was also said that RADM Sergei Alyokminsky was about to address to Southern Military District Commander and Navy Commander-in-Chief with request to give the fifth corvette the name of Hero City Volgograd in honor of 70-th anniversary of the legendary Stalingrad Battle.

Project 21631 corvettes are "river-sea" class ships built under stealth technology. Their length is 74.1 meters, beam is 11 meters, draft is 2.6 meters, displacement is about 950 tons, max speed is up to 25 knots, crew is about 60 men.

Armament of each corvette includes Caliber-NK standard missile system (combat load is 8 cruise missiles effective both against surface ships and coast-based targets); 100-mm gun mount A190-01, 30-mm gun mount AK-630M-2 Duet; two SAM systems Gibka; 14.5-mm and 7.62-mm machineguns.

The Sunday Movie - Fixed Bayonet

The Thursday Documentary - The Cold War 'Operation Ocean' The Soviet Navy

The Sunday Movie - Zulu

Iran Attempts and Fails to Shoot Down U.S. Drone

An unarmed U.S. military Predator surveillance drone was fired at by Iranian military jets last week in international airspace over the waters of the Persian Gulf, the Pentagon disclosed on Thursday.

Officials stressed that the U.S. drone had never entered Iranian territory and that the entire incident occurred in international airspace.

The drone was not hit by the plane's gunfire and was able to return to its undisclosed base in the region, the report said.

At a Pentagon briefing, spokesman George Little told reporters that the incident had occurred last Thursday at approximately 4:50 a.m. Eastern Time when an unarmed Predator drone "conducting routine surveillance" over the Gulf "was intercepted by Iranian Su-25 Frogfoot aircraft and was fired upon with guns."

The incident occurred 16 nautical miles off the Iranian coastline, Little said. The internationally recognized territorial limit of waters and airspace begins 12 nautical miles from a nation's coastline. Though Little did not disclose where the incident occurred, a defense official told ABC News that it occurred in the northern part of the Persian Gulf east of Kuwait.

The White House and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta were informed of the incident as quickly as it happened, as were relevant members of Congress, reported ABC News. The incident was not disclosed until Thursday when CNN was first to reveal the details of the incident.

Little said that the Pentagon does not talk about classified missions like the one the Predator was undertaking, but decided to go public with details following "the unauthorized leak."

Little said that the United States communicated to Iran via Swiss intermediaries that "we will continue to conduct surveillance flights over international waters over the Arabian Gulf consistent with long-standing practice."

He described last Thursday's incident as the first time that an unmanned American aircraft has been shot at over the international waters of the Persian Gulf.

When asked if the United States considered the shooting an "act of war", Little said he was "not going to get into legal labels."

He added, "The reality is that we have a wide range of options, as I said before, to protect our assets and our forces in the region and will do so when necessary." He later acknowledged that no manned American aircraft had responded to the incident.

Last December, Iran boasted that its military forces had shot down a Lockheed Martin RQ-170 stealth UAV.

The U.S. later admitted that one of its drones is in Iranian possession but did not say that the Iranians shot down the spy plane. Iran then presented video footage of the U.S. drone it shot down.

Pe

The Saturday Matinee - Combat 13-15

Thank You

Afghanistan - The Conspiracy

Afghanistan is trying to make peace with Pakistan, but is having great difficultly negotiating a deal. The big problem is that Pakistan insists it is not carrying out or supporting terrorist attacks in Afghanistan. There is ample evidence that this is not true, but Pakistan simply denies it all and blames Afghanistan for providing sanctuary for Islamic terrorists hostile to Pakistan. This denial is becoming a problem in Pakistan as well, where the military and ISI (combined intelligence agency) have long carried out covert operations in Afghanistan, and military personnel in particular openly boast of it. While most Pakistanis agree that Afghanistan is a troublesome neighbor that must be controlled, there is growing opposition to the military and intelligence agencies running their own foreign policy and not admitting it. The Afghans get angrier and angrier, but are not strong enough to do much about it. Meanwhile, Pakistani gangsters gladly handle the export (through Pakistan and out to the world via the port of Karachi) of tons of Afghan heroin each year. There’s too much money involved to worry about the military, who get paid off along with the police and politicians.

Many Afghan’s accuse the United States and Western nations of conspiring with Pakistan to keep Afghanistan weak and in chaos. This is absurd, but shows the degree to which paranoia and delusions pervade thinking and decision making in Afghanistan.

In the south (Kandahar) suicide attacks have become more common against police and intelligence operations. If a police unit can be hit hard enough, and lose enough personnel, the unit commander will be more willing to take a bribe and back off. This does not always work, because NATO advisors have gotten better at detecting when a commander has been bought. At that point, they can seek to get the compromised commander replaced. The new commander is usually willing to do the job, at least until the Taliban get to him as well.

In the north (Samangan province) police arrested five Taliban terrorist operatives, who planned and carried out terrorist attacks. There is not a lot of terrorism in the north, where the largely Pushtun Taliban are hated and not tolerated very well.

A major dam in eastern Afghanistan is in danger of collapse. This would cut off most of the electricity used in eastern Afghanistan. The cause of the problem is Afghan government agencies refusing to pay for $15 million (so far) worth of electricity. Without that money, repairs cannot be made and the government refuses to provide cash for repairs. It’s just another example of how corruption is the biggest problem in the country, and gets the least attention. Bombs and gunfire get noticed more often, although this violence is a symptom of Afghanistan’s problems, not the main cause. 

October 13, 2012: Two foreign aid workers (a Canadian and an American) disappeared near Kabul and appear to have been kidnapped.

October 7, 2012:  NATO instructors have resumed training Afghan police, after a month long suspension because of a spike in attacks on NATO troops by men in Afghan police or army uniforms. Many of the attackers were members of the security forces. The Taliban and other terrorists were behind this new tactic. The U.S. and NATO implemented measures to reduce the incidence of such attacks. Despite the Taliban putting a lot of resources into this tactic (recruiting attackers and paying off the families of the attackers who “heroically” died), casualties among foreign troops continue to decline this year, while Taliban losses continue to increase. The Taliban are hoping the departure of foreign troops will turn things around for them. That remains to be seen, as most Afghans hate the Taliban and Islamic radicals in general.