Reprinted with permission from AMI HOT NEWS.
AMI International, PO Box 30, Bremerton, Washington, 98337.
From the October 2017 Naval Market Forecast Newsletter:
UNITED STATES: General Dynamics Awarded IPPD Contract for Columbia Class SSBN
On 21 September 2017, the United States Navy (USN) awarded a US$5.1B contract to General Dynamics – Electric Boat (GD-EB) for Integrated Product and Process Development (IPPD) for the Columbia Class Nuclear Powered Ballistic Missile Submarine (SSBN).
This follows information on 04 January 2017 that the Columbia (SSBN) program passed its Milestone B decision review and was mov- ing into the detail design phase (engineering manufacture and develop- ment). GD-EB was selected as the prime contractor for the program and submitted its bid to the US Naval Sea Systems Command (USNAVSEA) on 20 May 2016.
The IPPD contract is for the design, completion, component and technology development and prototyping for the new SSBN. The work also includes unique efforts for the Common Missile Compartment (CMC) that will be found on the 12 hulls of the US Columbia class SSBN and the four hulls of the Royal Navy’s (RN) Dreadnought (suc- cessor) class SSBN.
The completion of IPPD will lead to the start of the construction phase in Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 of the first hull, USS Columbia (SSBN 826). The first patrol of SSBN 826 is scheduled for FY 2031. A work- share agreement for the construction phase of the twelve hulls has al- ready been submitted to the Navy with Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) Newport News Shipbuilding being the other builder. Both yards also share construction of the Virginia class Nuclear Powered Attack Submarines (SSNs) as GD-EB and HII Newport News are the only two submarine builders left in the United States.
The latest estimates are that the entire program will cost US$115B with an additional US$12B in R&D, or an average of US$10.5B per hull. The average cost per hull without equipment is estimated at around US$8B per hull. For the USS Columbia that will begin in FY2021, US$883M was already committed in FY2015 and US$971M in FY2016. The 30 year shipbuilding budget (FY2017 – FY2021) calls for US$773M in FY2017 (plus US$1.091B inR&D), US$787M in FY2018, US$2.7B in FY2019, US$1.3B in FY2020 and US$3.6B in FY2021 when the con- struction phase begins.
The second unit will begin construction in FY2024 and the third unit in FY2030. The 12th hull is expected to begin in 2035 and commission in 2041.
Additional information on this project can be obtained by contact- ing Pat Bright at AMI International (Tel: + 1 757 963 7719 or E-mail: pbright@amiinter.com) or by visiting the Future Nuclear-Powered Bal- listic Missile Submarine (SSBN) Project Report at: http://www.amiinter. com/wnpr/projects/project.php?newcontID=664&countryID=68.
SOUTH KOREA: Son Won-II Class Submarine (KSS-2):
On 07 September 2017, the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) launched its ninth and final Son Won-Il (Type 214) class submarine Shin Dol-Seok (SS 082) from Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) Ulsan Yard. It will be commissioned into the ROKN in 2019 completing the class.
INDIA: Kalvari (Scorpene) Class Submarine:
Kalvari (Scorpene) Class Submarine: On 21 September 2017, the
Indian Navy’s (IN) first Kalvari (Scorpene) class submarine, INS Kalvari (S 50), was commissioned into the sea service. The second unit, INS Khanderi (S 51), is undergoing sea trials with an expected commis- sioning date of March 2018.
Unit three, INS Vela (S 52), is scheduled for launch in October 2017 and commissioning in 2018. The final three units of the class are expect- ed to enter service by 2020.
Sources indicate that the IN may procure up to three additional units of the class. Negotiations began in late 2016. A deal for hulls seven through nine could be in place by 2018.
Additional information on the Asia Region can be obtained by con- tacting Pat Bright at AMI International (Tel: + 1 757 963 7719 or E-mail: pbright@amiinter.com) or visiting AMI International’s website at: http:// www.amiinter.com.
Unmanned Maritime Systems
A. Rolls-Royce Plans for Autonomous Naval Vessel:
Rolls-Royce has announced its plans for an autonomous, single-role naval vessel with a range of 2,500nm capable of operating for over 100 days.
The 60m (196.9ft) concept vessel will displace around 700 tons and will have a top speed of 25 knots. It is to be designed to perform a range of single role missions such as patrol and surveillance, mine countermea- sures (MCM), or fleet screening.
The single-role unmanned surface vessel (SRUSV), in its current design, is powered by an integrated full electric propulsion (IFEP) sys- tem that requires fewer auxiliary systems and provides better reliability and less maintenance than mechanical systems. It consists of two Rolls- Royce MTU 4000 diesel generator sets, producing a total of 4MW of electrical power. The 1.5MW propulsion drive system consists of two permanent magnet azipull thruster and a tunnel thruster in the bow for added maneuverability. Additionally, it will have photovoltaic solar pan- els and a 3,000kWh battery bank for low-speed loiter operations.
Multiple sensor systems and artificial intelligence will be installed on the vessel depending on the single-role that will be assigned to the vessel. Systems can be operated remotely or simply programmed to do their mission. Also, a health monitoring system will be on the vessel to ensure the operation of the onboard equipment from engines to sensors.
While still in the concept stage, many things will need to be worked out before such a vessel will be able to operate on its own, including safety of navigation and communication with commercial vessels in or- der to mitigate the risk of collisions.
B. Liquid Robotics Wave Glider:
At the 2017 Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) exhibition held in London, UK from 12-15 September 2017, Liquid Robotics’ latest iteration of their Wave Glider unmanned surface vessel (USV).
This latest version of Wave Glider is now able to survive in the more demanding environments of the northern passages near Canada up to sea state six and greater and has been tested in sea state eight with waves of 0 meters (32.8ft).
Additional changes include an expanded sensor payload and greater en rgy storage capacity. Additionally, since Liquid Robotics is a Boeing company, work has been accelerated with Insitu to link the Wave Glider with the Scan Eagle unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). While testing is complete, there has not been a client for this USV/UAV pairing. While continuing to develop Wave Glider for military applications, develop- ment continues on the civilian application side, including oil and gas exploration as well as meteorological tasks.
From the October 2017 Modernization & Ship Transfer Newsletter:
INDONESIA – Cakra Class Submarine:
In mid-September 2017, the Indonesian Navy (Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Laut (TNI–AL)) signed a US$26M contract with South Korea’s Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) for the overhaul of the Cakra (Type 209/1300) class submarine, KRI Cakra (401). The overhaul will be conducted at Indonesia’s PAL Ship- building
and will begin in 2018. The work package will include the following:
– Main machinery overhaul (engines, shaft, generators, batteries).
– Hull work.
– Upgrade of the periscope mast.
– Fitted with a new combat management system (CMS).
The replacement CMS may be South Korea’s newly developed LIG Nex 1 CMS that is being used on the Republic of Korea Navy’s (ROKN) Jangbogo III (KSS-3) class submarine or the Kongsberg MSI-90U Mk2 CMS that is on the TNI-AL’s new construction Nagapasa (Improved Chang Bogo Type 209) class submarines that are being built in Indone- sia’s PAL and South Korea’s DSME.
The overhaul will be completed by 2020. The second unit, KRI Nanggala (402), will probably receive the same upgrade beginning in 2020 through 2022.
Additional information on Indonesian Navy (Tentara Nasional In- donesia Angkatan Laut (TNI–AL)) modernization activities can be ob- tained by contacting Pat Bright at AMI International (Tel: + 1 757 963 7719 or E-mail: pbright@amiinter.com) or by visiting the Modernization Report at: http://amiinter.com/wnpr/country/viewcountry.php?country- ID=27.
From the November 2017 Naval Market Forecast Newsletter:
INDIA: Four Project 75I Bidders Left, Foreign Partner to be Cho- sen in 2018
On 20 October 2017, AMI received information that two of six pro- spective suppliers for the Project 75I Submarine program did not re- spond to the Request for Information (RfI) that closed on 16 October 2017. The RfI was released on 19 July to the six original companies that had shown interest in the estimated US$9.65B program.
The two companies that failed to meet the deadline are Japan’s Mit- subishi Heavy Industries/Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Navantia. The Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) were expected to show their qualifications to build the six submarines with a partner shipyard in In- dia. Each company must have independently designed and constructed a modern submarine that is either currently in use or on sea trials.
ISRAEL: German Government Approves Israel Submarine Deal
On 19 October 2017, German Chancellor Angela Merkel approved the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to sell three new Dolphin II diesel electric submarines to Israel. The approval was probably political in nature as the Chancellor needed to gain approval while her coalition was still in power. The MoU is for a US$1.7B deal between Israel and ThyssenKrupp Marine for the three submarines, of which Germany is expected to pay for one third of the cost (around US$617M).
The MoU signature follows recent reporting in June and July 2017
that direct negotiations were conducted by Germany’s Chancellor An-gela Merkel and Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and their direct representatives through a fast track process. Sources indicated at the time that the deal in its current form had very little chance (postponed as of 20 July 2017) of being completed as questions continue to be raised oncerning the validity of the fast track process.
Israeli press reporting also indicated that up to four investigations were underway in Israel on how the deal was negotiated (and those in- volved). However, sources now indicate that the deal will be approved (German Parliament) as long as there are no improprieties concerning the procurement decision itself (none found to date).
With an MoU now signed (as of 19 October 2017), it appears that the program will move forward for the three Dolphin II submarines. In late October 2016, AMI first received information that the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) Navy (Heil Hayam Ha Yisraeli – HHHY) was interested in the procurement of three additional Dolphin II submarines in to replace the original three Dolphin I class that were commissioned in 1999 and 2000. Source indicated that the Israeli Government had already entered into negotiations for the three hulls under a deal worth an estimated US$1.7B although the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) had not been signed at the time.
Assuming that the MoU remains in force and no improprieties are discovered through the ongoing investigations; the first of three units could begin construction as early as 2019. The third unit (Dakar) of the original hree Dolphin IIs will be delivered in 2018.
Additional information on this project can be obtained by contact- ing Pat Bright at AMI International (Tel: + 1 757 963 7719 or E-mail: pbright@amiinter.com) or by visiting the Dolphin II Class Submarine Project Report at: http://www.amiinter.com/wnpr/projects/project. php?newcontID=468&countryID=30.
EGYPT: S-41 (Type 209) Class Submarine:
On 08 August 2017, the Egyptian Navy (EN) took delivery of its second of four Type 209 class submarines from Germany, S-42 (864).
S-42 arrived at Egypt’s Ras al-Tin Naval Base on 18 October 2017. The submarines were built at Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Industrial Solu-tions (TKIS) HDW Shipyard. Two additional units (S-43 and S-44) are currently construction at TKIS and will be delivered to the EN by 2020.
Unmanned Maritime Systems:
A. OCIUS Technology’s Bluebottle USV:
At Pacific 2017 held in Sydney, Australia from 3-5 October 2017, Australia’s OCIUS Technology showcased its Bluebottle ocean drone, Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV).
The Bluebottle is named after an Australian jellyfish that uses its body like a sail; much like the USV uses a solar sail for gathering energy for its CNIM L-CAT Design OCIUS Bluebottle USV propulsion motor. This unique arrangement of collecting both wind and solar power allows the Bluebottle to remain at sea almost indefinitely. It has a unique flip- per and rudder appendage underwater that steers and drives it forward against the waves; meaning it has speed of advance no matter the con- ditions.
Specifically designed to carry a relatively large payload of between 200-300kg (440-661 lbs), it is capable of providing constant monitoring of the ocean for border security, oil and gas exploration, bottom map- ping, or weather observation.
The USV can operate at full functionality in conditions up to Sea State 5 (SS-5) and has limited function with full survivability up to SS-7. They are road transportable on a trailer or two can be shipped in a stan- dard 20ft TEU container.
B. Knifefish UUV Completes Contractor Trials:
In late October 2017, General Dynamics Mission Systems success- fully completed contractor trials for the US Navy’s (USN) Knifefish mine countermeasures (MCM) unmanned underwater vessel (UUV) program. The Knifefish UUV operated in multiple mine test target fields at-sea using buried, bottom and volume type mine-test targets. The Knifefish system successfully demonstrated its ability to detect, classify and iden- tify potential mines, at a variety of depths, each of which would pose a unique threat to naval vessels operating in a mission area.
Contractor trials, managed by General Dynamics Mission Systems,took place off the coast of Boston using submerged Navy mine-test tar- gets. These trials differed from previous evaluations of the Knifefish UUV by demonstrating end-to-end performance of the Knifefish system in realistic at-sea mission scenarios over the course of hundreds of hours of at-sea operation and more than a hundred simulated missions.
Knifefish is a medium-class mine countermeasure UUV intended for deployment from the Navy’s Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) and other Navy vessels. Knifefish will reduce risk to personnel by operating in the mine- field as an offboard sensor while the host ship stays outside the minefield boundaries.
Additional information on these articles can be obtained by contact- ing Rick Dorn at AMI International (Tel: + 1 360
674 6494 or E-mail: rdorn@amiinter.com).
