NEWS
control and tracking radar, SCOUT Mk 2 LPI surveil- lance radar and the MRR-3D ES radar with long-range detection of targets at a 100nm range. Te combat management system is the Tales TACTICOS and a Link 14 tactical data link. A L-3 supplied Lightweight Shipboard Electro-Optical System Mk II A/B with rear facing mast-mounted EO director is also fitted. Te passive electronic warfare (EW) suite comprises
an Argon ST supplied WBR2000 ESM, a DRS supplied ZS4015E Comint system for UHF/VHF intercept and DF along with four Super Barricade decoy launchers – two mounted behind the forward SRGM and two mounted aſt besides the Phalanx mount. Tere is room to mount an electronic countermeasure (ECM) system on the mast. Navigation systems include an Integrated Bridge System, (electronic chart display and information system) ECDIS Mk.2 and a Mk39 Mod 3A ring laser gyro. Te hulls are being manufactured from AH36 steel
while the superstructure is of aluminum. An active ride control system with two fins and two tabs permits full mission capability in SS4. Signature management features include a low RCS with sloped upperworks and bulwarks, low radiated noise, infrared (IR) suppression along with unspecified EO-visible signature measures. Principal particulars are length overall of 62.61m,
maximum beam of 9.98m, maximum draught of 2.74m at a full-load displacement of 779tonnes. Powered by four MTU 16V595TE90 diesels develop- ing 21,690hp which drive four fixed-pitch propellers using Rientjes reduction gearboxes, the vessels have a maximum speed of 34+kts. Endurance is 2000nm at 15kts and the ships will be able to operate up to eight days independently at sea although 15 days of stores are carried. Crew size is normally 38 (10 officers, 10 PO, 18 sailors) but two petty officers can be embarked during a surge. Minimum service life is to be 20 years based an operational profile that has the FMC on patrol for eight days each month with the balance of the time being spent pier side in a reduced availability status.
Shipbuilding Nakilat-Damen
signs Qatar deal Nakilat, as agents for Nakilat-Damen Shipyards Qatar (N-DSQ) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Qatar Emiri Naval Forces for the construction and delivery of six patrol boats by Nakilat’s shipbuilding facility at the Port of Ras Laffan, Qatar. The military vessels will be used by Qatar to
support its existing operations in the monitoring and surveillance of Qatar’s EEZ, and for coastal and offshore patrol, search and seizure operations, and for anti-piracy/hijacking operations.
12 Submarines Devonport
prepares for Astute As Astute, the first of the new generation nuclear- powered attack submarines (SSN) for the Royal Navy, undergoes its first set of sea trials, a milestone has been reached in developments by the UK’s largest naval support provider, Babcock, in preparation for the through-life support of the new submarine. Babcock, the company responsible for supporting
the Royal Navy’s entire submarine flotilla at Clyde and Devonport, has completed installation of a new docking cradle which will enable the Astute class submarines to be received within Babcock’s nuclear docking facilities at Devonport Royal Dockyard. Te new cradle is required as Astute is consider-
ably larger in mass and geometry (about 15% bigger in length and diameter) than the Swiſtsure and Trafal- gar class SSNs. Te cradle, in 15 Dock, is in addition to the docking capability in the shipliſt at Clyde. Tis latest milestone at Devonport follows substan-
tial work undertaken under the Astute Readiness Programme by an integrated MoD/Babcock team at Clyde, where the new submarines will be base-ported. Work here has included checking and modifying the infrastructure to support the new submarine class, amending the Site Safety Cases to encompass the new boat, provision and acceptance of support equipment specific to Astute, and training base staff to enable them to support and maintain the new vessel. At Devonport, the existing cradle – on which the
submarine is supported while in dry dock – had to be extended to accept the new larger submarine with a further nine cradle blocks which have been designed, manufactured and installed by Babcock, including four wing cradle blocks at the forward and aſt end and an additional keel cradle at the aſt end. Each cradle block assembly weighs some 22.5tonnes. A full set of wooden cappers (which sit on top of the cradle blocks and are hand cut into shape to replicate the profile of the submarine hull) has also been manufactured and fitted. In addition to the cradles and cappers, base plates
have also been designed and manufactured. Tese are set into the dock floor and secured by anchors – a process that involved hydro-demolition to expose the heavily reinforced dock floor. Te cradles are bolted down to the base plates, and can be removed as required, providing the flexibility to accommodate various classes of submarine. Each cradle block must be able to resist shear,
tension and turning moments, while resisting a defined seismic event. Numerous physical parameters or external forces (of which seismic events are one) can influence the behaviour of the submarine on the cradle, and therefore influence the loads to which
Warship Technology July/August 2010
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