International Naval News & Discussion

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 13 Dec 2012 09:05

Finally saw some clean pictures of Special Purpose Submarine LOSHARIK , These subs has speherical internal hulls to withstand great depth and can dive as deep as 6000m .... pretty sure future 5th gen SSN from Russia will have much greater diving depth compared to Akula and Yasen which are rated at 600 m

http://militaryrussia.ru/blog/topic-543.html

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 22 Dec 2012 16:10

Chirkov: Russia to Build Aircraft Carriers and Unmanned Subs

Batch production of prospect aircraft carriers will start in Russia after 2021, and construction of fifth-generation strategic nuclear-powered subs will begin after 2030, said Russian Navy Commander-in-Chief ADM Viktor Chirkov.

"In the period of 2021–2030, combat capability of general-purpose naval force should be enhanced by batch production of prospective aircraft carriers, fourth-generation nuclear-powered attack submarines, multipurpose seagoing and littoral-zone warships", reports RIA Novosti citing Viktor Chirkov.

Presently, Russian Navy operates only one aircraft carrier, Admiral Kuznetsov. Chirkov pointed out that mass production of fifth-generation strategic subs would begin after 2030.

"In 2021-2030, along with keeping on scheduled replacement of overaged ballistic missiles submarines with new fourth-generation ones, it is necessary to kick off works on prospective fifth-generation strategic submarines, and to launch their mass production after 2030", Chirkov said.

As for him, Russian Navy now operates third-generation nuclear-powered subs that will be replaced with Borei- and Yasen-class fourth-generation submarines by 2020.

At the same time, Chirkov pointed out that Russian Navy command was planning to launch batch construction of unmanned submarines and sea robots after 2020.

"After 2020, we anticipate a shift to large-scale production of stand-alone unmanned submarines and sea-based robot systems, development of special sea bottom equipment deployed from various underwater platforms", he said.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 02 Jan 2013 22:30

Slow, leaky, rusty: Britain's £10bn submarine beset by design flaws

The Royal Navy's new multibillion pound hunter-killer submarine, HMS Astute, has been beset by design and construction flaws that have raised doubts about its performance and potential safety.

The Guardian can reveal that Astute, the first of seven new submarines costing £9.75bn, has been unable to reach its intended top speed.

At the moment, the boat, heralded as the most sophisticated submarine ever built for the navy, cannot sprint to emergencies or away from an attack – an essential requirement for a hunter-killer boat.

It would also be incapable of keeping pace with the Royal Navy's new aircraft carriers, which will be able to travel at more than 30 knots and need the submarines to protect them. One source told the Guardian the boat had a "V8 engine with a Morris Minor gearbox".

Other problems that have affected the boat in recent months include:

• Flooding during a routine dive that led to Astute performing an emergency surfacing.

• Corrosion even though the boat is essentially new.

• The replacement or moving of computer circuit boards because they did not meet safety standards.

• Concern over the instruments monitoring the nuclear reactor because the wrong type of lead was used.

• Questions being raised about the quality and installation of other pieces of equipment.

• Concern reported among some crew members about the Astute's pioneering periscope, that does not allow officers to look at the surface "live".

The MoD confirmed Astute had suffered some "teething problems" during sea trials. "It is normal for first of class trials to identify areas where modifications are required and these are then incorporated into later vessels of the class," a spokesman said.

Though the MoD said it cannot discuss the speed of submarines, the spokesman said Astute would "provide an outstanding capability for decades to come".

However, if the propulsion problems persist, they would represent one of the biggest procurement disasters the MoD has ever had to deal with, and potentially leave the Astute fleet struggling to perform all the duties it was built for.

John Large, an independent nuclear safety analyst and specialist engineer, said: "These problems are much more significant than the niggles and glitches expected to arise during working up of a new class of nuclear-powered submarine. Particularly disturbing is the apparent mismatch between the nuclear reactor plant and the steam turbine sets, putting the submarine speed below par and making her susceptible in the anti-submarine warfare theatre."

The shadow defence secretary, Jim Murphy, said ministers "must be clear over the impact of any problems with this essential programme on timing and cost".

Even though the boat has yet to start formal service, Astute – four years overdue and £2bn over budget – has been surrounded by controversy since it was first commissioned 15 years ago. In 2010, it was marooned off Skye, a calamity that led to its commander being removed from post. Last year a senior officer was shot dead by a junior member of the crew.

The Guardian has learned that during exercises off the east coast of the United States, a cap on one of the pipes that takes seawater from the back of the submarine to the reactor sprang a leak. A compartment began flooding with seawater, forcing the commander to surface immediately. Though nobody was hurt, an investigation revealed a cap was made from the wrong metal, even though construction records said the right metal had been installed.

The cap was supposed to have been "level one quality assurance". This means that BAE, which is responsible for building the boat, is supposed to give it the highest scrutiny.

"The fact the cap failed is bad enough, but the most worrying thing is that there is no way of knowing whether the submarine has other pieces of equipment like this on board," said a source. "The quality assurance tests are there to make sure this kind of thing doesn't happen, but it did. So what else has been installed that we don't know about? It is impossible to know. They fitted the wrong cap but it was still signed off."

The MoD confirmed that the incident had taken place. "During trials last year HMS Astute experienced a leak which was immediately isolated and the submarine returned safely to the surface," a spokesman said. "An investigation found one small part which had not been made of the correct material had corroded. A replacement was fitted at sea and the submarine continued with her programme. BAE Systems have carried out a full assessment which concluded all similar parts were fitted correctly."

Neither the MoD nor BAE was prepared to discuss how a cap made from the wrong metal had been fitted. BAE also declined to explain how it could be sure other parts were installed correctly when the quality assurance inventory system was proved to be flawed.

Some of the instruments which tell commanders about the state of the nuclear reactor were also feared compromised, the Guardian can reveal. The detectors which measure the power coming from the reactor are in a lead-lined water jacket that surrounds the reactor core.

The lead has to be "virgin" metal, mined from great depth, so that it does not carry any electrical charge of its own that could generate a false reading.

However, the lead used in Astute was not of the right quality, which means instruments gave incorrect readings. Using impure lead can also have a knock-on effect during maintenance – the charged metal can create increased and persistent radioactivity within the reactor compartment.

A source said this oversight was "unforgivable". Initially the MoD denied there was a problem with the reactor instruments. However, it then conceded the wrong lead had been used – but insisted tests showed the accuracy of the readings had not been affected. In addition, some of the small computer switchboards on Astute should have been placed six inches apart, but they were only one inch apart.

They did not conform to either naval or Lloyds civilian safety standards and are now having to be moved or replaced. The MoD says this work has been completed.

Of all the difficulties, it is the problems with propulsion which are the most sensitive. The MoD stated Astute would be able to make 29 knots, but the Guardian has been told it cannot do this.

Rather than building a new power plant for Astute, the MoD chose to use the Pressurised Water Reactor 2 (PWR2) from the much bigger Vanguard-class Trident submarines. It was linked to a steam turbine system based on the model used in the aged Trafalgar Class attack submarines.

"This was always likely to be a big problem, and so it has proved," said a source. "The PWR2 was meant for a much bigger boat, and Astute had to be designed around it. That may have cut costs, but it has caused problems. The power from the reactor does not translate into forward movement."

Large added: "So much promise was held out for the Astute class of nuclear powered submarine but these faults occurring during its commissioning into active/service, particularly in the propulsion system and its under-performance, suggest that the whole has been cobbled together from some ill-fitting parts – the real concern here is that these or similar mismatches will compromise nuclear safety at risk to crews and the public generally."

BAE Systems, which is responsible for building the Astute fleet, said: "Safety is of paramount importance to every stage of the design, build, test and trials of a submarine and is at the heart of everything we do. Before entering full service, every submarine is required to complete an exhaustive period of sea trials, which are designed to prove the vessel's capabilities. These trials also present an opportunity to improve performance by resolving any issues that may come to light during this time, which is not uncommon on a first-of-class submarine."

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 11 Jan 2013 13:31

First Borei Submarine Enters Service

The First Borei class (project 955) nuclear-powered submarine, Yuri Dolgorukiy, entered service with the Russian Navy today. The official introduction ceremony was held at Sevmash's Severodvinsk facility although the Navy reportedly signed the acceptance act on December 29, 2012. Yuri Dolgorukiy was laid down in 1996 and the cost of its construction is estimated at 23 billion rubles (about $760 million).

According to Sevmash, the new sub has a length of 170 meters and width of 13.5 meters. It can dive up to 450 meters and has a submerged speed of 29 knots. Borei class submarines are designed to carry 16 R-30 Bulava (SS-NX-30) intercontinental ballistic missiles. The testing of Bulava was completed with a salvo launch in December 2011. This 36.8 ton three-stage missile made 11 successful launches out of total 18 firings. The Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu was cited by the Russian media saying that the completion of the government trials and the sub's introduction into service means that all problems with Bulava has been fixed.

According to the minister, the Navy are to get eight Borei class subs through 2018. The second sub of the class – Alexander Nevsky – conducts trials now and is expected to be taken into service in 2013. The third sub, Vladimir Monomakh, was launched on December 30, 2012. Sevmash is already constructing the submarine Knyaz Vladimir under the improved project 955A.

Photos of Yuri Dolgorukiy commisioning http://kuleshovoleg.livejournal.com/133253.html

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 12 Jan 2013 09:26

Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Continuous Trail Unmanned Vessel (ACTUV)

The DARPA ACTUV program aims to develop an unmanned autonomous surface vessel with the ability to track a quiet diesel-electric submarine overtly for months over thousands of kilometers, with minimal human input. SAIC provided conceptual design services in phase one of the program, creating an innovative wave piercing trimaran solution.

Aditya G · Post by **Aditya G** » 26 Jan 2013 18:53

http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.ph ... iew&id=842

Republic of Korea Navy commissioned on 17 January 2013 the first of its next next generation FFX I class Frigate. The ship was by Hyundai Heavy Industry and is expected to replace the aging fleet of Pohang class corvettes and Ulsan class frigates, and take over multi-role operations such as coast patrol or anti-submarine warfare.

Republic of Korea Navy Frigate Incheon FFX I during its commissioning ceremony
(photo: KDN)

The class will be built in several batches. Six vessels will be built as Batch I (similar to head of class Incheon), eight Frigates will be built as Batch II by Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, and Batch III is also planned for the future.

Batch I vessels are reported to displace 2,500 tons with a length of 114 meters and a beam of 14 meters. The main gun is 127mm similar type to those used by the US Navy. For defense, the Incheon is fitted with a RIM-116 RAM launcher as well as a Phalanx CIWS. The class is also fitted with eight SSM-700K Hae Sung I anti-ship missiles, with an option for eight more land attack variant Haesung missiles in the future.

It is expected that Batch II vessels will receive VLS cells for long range SAMs and the locally built Hyunmoo-3 land attack cruise missile. No design specifics have been released yet however, regarding Batch II vessels

From recent discussions on BRF, I get the sense that we need a sub P17 class frigate that combines the ASW and self defence capabilities of Project-28 with offensive capabilities of the Kora class. Perhaps a more modern replacement for P-16A? Or simply more Talwar class frigates are the answer?

Guddu · Post by **Guddu** » 26 Jan 2013 20:38

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/ ... ide=id.p26

Some nice US naval pictures, bandwith hog.

Note added: Many requested that I share it. This was a link send to me, and I have tried to change my google settings to allow sharing!...have never dealt with such a request via google docs. The pictures are not mine, I hear its from the public domain.

merlin · Post by **merlin** » 26 Jan 2013 21:35

That FFX1 sure packs in a lot in that 2500 tons. Contrast with Shivaliks at more than double that displacement.

AbhiJ · Post by **AbhiJ** » 03 Mar 2013 20:00

Brazil launches nuclear submarine program

Rio de Janeiro: Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff on Friday inaugurated a naval installation that will make parts for conventional submarines - and eventually a nuclear-powered submarine - under cooperation agreements signed with France in 2009.

The launch of the facility marks the first concrete step toward construction of what will be Latin America's first submarine powered by a nuclear reactor.

"With this initiative, we join a select group of countries with access to a nuclear submarine," Rousseff said.

She stressed that the nuclear-powered watercraft that Brazil plans to bring into operation in 2023 will not be an instrument of war, but rather will aid in conflict prevention and defense.

"The defense industry is a peace industry , but above all a knowledge (industry)," Rousseff said, adding that the facility inaugurated Friday also will be a center for "technology production and diffusion".

The agreements with France cover the joint production of five submarines, one of them nuclear-propelled; 50 helicopters; a military shipyard; and a naval base, all with French technology.

The plant inaugurated Friday, the shipyard and the military base will require investment of 7.8 billion reais ($3.9 billion) through 2017 and create 9,000 direct jobs and 32,000 indirect jobs, the Defense Ministry said.

srai · Post by **srai** » 04 Mar 2013 08:34

merlin wrote:That FFX1 sure packs in a lot in that 2500 tons. Contrast with Shivaliks at more than double that displacement.

Indian strategic influence requirement is far reaching than the South Korean. The IN needs to cover all of the Indian Ocean Region plus bit beyond whereas SK only needs to deal with its northern neighbor for the most part. When designing ships with similar armament roles, the IN would require longer range vessels like the Shivaliks while SK would require shorter ranged ships.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 04 Mar 2013 09:30

SK's operating domain vs NK is hardly 500km away from port. SK is 600km NS and 250km EW only...smaller than most of the big indian states.

the build some big ships with lots of missiles to cater for surprise noko missile attack taking out land based infra, so any surviving ships at sea need to have lot of missiles to play havoc on NK later.

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 07 Mar 2013 07:31

Korean indigenous torpedoes fail tests-only 60% success rate.

Russo-Viet sub deal:
http://rt.com/politics/russia-vietnam-a ... -deal-891/

Russia, Vietnam agree on submarine fleet deal.Check link for pic of Cam Ranh Bay,which could become an Indian base if we have the guts to take up the offer.

Published time: March 06, 2013 16:15
Artist's concept of ships in port at Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam. (Image from en.wikipedia.org)

Vietnam will get its own submarine fleet as soon as this year, said Russia’s defense minister while on a visit to Hanoi.

“This year a new page will be opened in the history of the Vietnamese Navy – it will get a fleet of submarines,” Sergey Shoigu told reporters following the meeting with the Vietnamese Defense Minister Phung Quang Thanh.

The Russian minister said that they reached an agreement on synchronization in preparing both the submarines and their crews, and also decided that Russian military schools would train more Vietnamese specialists in the nearest future.

In earlier comments Shoigu called the cooperation with Vietnam one of the priorities of Russia’s foreign policy and promised that Moscow would renew active military cooperation with Hanoi.

In particular, the two sides discussed the possibility for Russian specialists to use the naval base and the military airport in Cam Rahn. All talks were held in secrecy, but Shoigu’s visit to Vietnam started from a trip to Cam Rahn, which was once used by Soviet and then by the Russian Navy, but was abandoned in 2002 due to lack of funds.

Russian experts are divided on the possibility and necessity of putting Russian military bases in Vietnam. Colonel-General Leonid Ivashov, former head of the foreign cooperation department of the Russian Defense Ministry, told the Nezavisimaya Gazeta daily that such a step is simply necessary as it would seriously strengthen Russia’s positions in the South East Asia.

At the same time, the Interfax news agency quoted an unnamed source in the Russian Navy HQ as saying that the return of the Cam Rahn base is not necessary and the issue is not even on the agenda.

News of Russia’s future role in the beefing up of the Vietnamese navy comes on the background of the major international row over the South China Sea and its major oil and gas deposits.

In the latest developments, Vietnam has commenced exploratory drilling on the sea shelf, but China replied with a note demanding it to stop. Soon after that China declared that the oil under the South China Sea was its national asset. Other neighboring countries, such as the Philippines and Malaysia also voiced claims to the resource-rich region.

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 07 Mar 2013 07:35

US subs in the Persian Gulf.

http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2013/03/06 ... ine-to-pg/

The number of US submarines deployed to the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman has reached five with the dispatch of the USS Springfield (SSN-761) to the region.

The USS Columbia (SSN-771) is operating west of the Strait of Hormuz, which is a key oil transit route. The US has also stationed eight minesweeping ships in international waters of the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman.

The United Kingdom has also deployed HMS Trenchant, a Trafalgar-class nuclear-powered submarine, to the Sea of Oman.

Financial woes in the United States have forced Washington to reduce its military presence in the Persian Gulf.

The news comes after the US administration was forced to sign into effect the spending cuts known as the sequester last Friday, which will take USD85 billion from the US federal budget in 2013.

About half of the cuts, or USD46 billion, will affect the US military sector, the most sensitive of which will be altering plans for the deployment of Pentagon’s naval assets.

While the Pentagon had been previously considering plans to assign two of its 10 aircraft carriers to the Persian Gulf, the giant budgetary cuts have now forced the Department of Defense to deploy only one of those aircraft carriers to the region.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 08 Mar 2013 22:35

Richmond and Westminster test would-be submarine captains to the limit off Norway

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 29 Mar 2013 21:31

Admiral at Center of Inquiry Is Censured by Navy

Rear Adm. Charles M. Gaouette, who led Carrier Strike Group Three, which included the U.S.S. John C. Stennis, had been accused of using profanity in a public setting and making at least two racially insensitive comments, officials familiar with the investigation said.

He was cleared of any criminal violations under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, the laws governing the behavior of armed services personnel. But a set of administrative penalties will effectively end his career.

ArmenT · Post by **ArmenT** » 09 Apr 2013 13:37

Navy to deploy lasers on ships in 2014

The Pentagon has plans to deploy its first ever ship-mounted laser next year, a disruptive, cutting-edge weapon capable of obliterating small boats and unmanned aerial vehicles with a blast of infrared energy.
...
...
Video released by the Navy shows the laser lock onto a slow-moving target, in this case an unmanned drone, which bursts aflame in mid-flight. The drone soon catches fire and crashes into the sea below.
"It operates much like a blowtorch ... with an unlimited magazine," one official said.
...
...
Navy researches say so far the laser is 12 for 12 in testing, destroying its targets 100 percent of the time.

and here's the real nifty part:

One of its major advantages, the Navy said, is its relatively low cost to operate. "Its weapon round costs about $1 to shoot," said Rear Admiral Matthew Klunder, chief of Naval Research. Although the unit cost is higher -- at around $32 million to produce.

Sounds like a major win if the rounds cost so less to shoot. No more need to waste any expensive missiles when a $1 burst of energy can do the job.

member_23370 · Post by **member_23370** » 09 Apr 2013 21:32

Sorry but this won't even work against subsonic missiles. The missile just need to keep rotating so that the laser energy can't be focused on an area for too long. Forget something like Brahmos-I or II. I doubt the laser has range to be effective against anything other than small pirate boats or UAV's.

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 16 May 2013 16:02

Good news that the Vietnamese navy is getting its Kilos asap.One is sure that in training,etc.,the IN will be ever willing to assist and also use the facilities in patrolling in the Indo-China Sea.

http://www.thanhniennews.com/index/page ... arine.aspx

Vietnam PM inspects first Russian-built submarine
Last Updated: Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Vietnamese delegation led by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung on the deck of the first Kilo-class submarine built by Russia on Sunday

The Vietnamese prime minister on Sunday arrived at the Russian seaport city of Kaliningrad to inspect the testing progress of a Kilo-class submarine which Vietnam contracted to buy from Russia in a step seen as an effort to counterbalance China’s expanding maritime influence in the region.

PM Nguyen Tan Dung was leading a high-ranking delegation in an official visit to Russia scheduled from May 12 to 15.

The delegation boarded the submarine named Hanoi, which was built by Russia’s Admiralteiskie Verfi shipyard in in St. Petersburg and is being tested near Svetly port in Kaliningrad, according to the government website.

The submarine has undergone 23 successful dives.

During Dung's visit to Moscow in December 2009, Vietnam signed a US$2 billion deal to buy six submarines from Russia.

Russia has promised to deliver all of them by 2016.

“We are very grateful to our Russian friends, who will build and deliver to Vietnam until 2016, according to the agreement, six submarines of the kind,” Russian news agency ITAR-TASS quoted Dung as saying Sunday.

He said the order is not only of a commercial character, it is also an expression of friendship and trust between the two countries.

According to Itar-Tass, Dung continued saying Vietnam has a big sea border and stressed the country’s policy is aimed at defense and “we are buying armament for defense of the sovereignty of our territories.”

Dung said the military-technical cooperation with Russia “is not limited with the six submarines, we are also expecting other kinds of armament and equipment.”

Kilo-class submarines, nicknamed "Black Holes" for their ability to avoid detection, are considered to be among the quietest diesel-electric submarines in the world.

They are designed for anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare and for general reconnaissance and patrol missions.

They have a displacement of 2,300 tons, a maximum depth of 350 meters, and a range of 9,600 km, and are equipped with six 533-mm torpedo tubes.

In related news, on Sunday, the first of China’s 32-strong fishing fleet arrived at the disputed Truong Sa (Spratly) Islands despite Vietnam’s protest.

Vietnam News Agency reported that the F8138 arrived at a fishing ground on western Spratlys after a one-week voyage.

A flotilla including 30 fishing vessels and two large transport and supply ships left China's southern province of Hainan May 6 for a 40-day trip to the Spatlys, AFP quoted a China Daily report as saying.

The activity was condemned by Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a violation of Vietnam’s sovereignty.

Ministry spokesman Luong Thanh Nghi told the media May 9 Vietnam will keep a close eye on the progress of the fleet.

NRao · Post by **NRao** » 16 May 2013 17:55

Bheeshma wrote:Sorry but this won't even work against subsonic missiles. The missile just need to keep rotating so that the laser energy can't be focused on an area for too long. Forget something like Brahmos-I or II. I doubt the laser has range to be effective against anything other than small pirate boats or UAV's.

From the same article:

It's also unclear if the laser can effectively take down faster moving objects, such as fighter jets.

"To begin to address a cruise missile threat, we'd need to get up to hundreds of kilowatts," Carr said.

The Navy is working on just such a gun of course.

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 18 May 2013 08:18

The RN is supposed to already have lasers aboard its warships to blind pilots.Lasers are on the verge of being inducted in some western navies in some form or the other.The US has also made good progress with the rail gun,another cost-effective method as far as ammo is concerned.The DRDO/IN should not limit their inventiveness and think outside the box as far as new tech is concerned.Thus far,we see little progress on development of UUVs,multi-hulled warships (we've just inducted our first cat),lasers,etc.More has to be done in developing our sub tech esp. UUVs.Ther US is also developing an unmanned surface vehicle that can stay for months tracking conventional subs.

Here's a dissenting view of the wizards of OZ building a new generation of subs.

http://www.yasstribune.com.au/story/150 ... e/?cs=2058

New lemons for our defence
By DAVID BARNETT
May 17, 2013, warship design,new weapon systems and sensors are concerned.

The Defence White Paper is an uncosted fairy story. It reads well but there is no way in which Julia Gillard and her woeful Defence Minister Stephen Smith will ever see any of it through.

It’s another crutch for her government on which to limp through until September 14, when Australia goes to the polls and the burden of running Australia is lifted from shoulders quite inadequate for that task.

That is, assuming the Gillard government sees running Australia as a responsibility and not merely an opportunity to provide a pay off to the trade unions, whose gold-plated advertising got them into office and whose numbers control their membership.

To suggest that our submarine fleet might be replaced by either an enhanced version of the Collins class submarines, which an earlier ALP government built to a Swedish design, or a new Australian-designed submarine is quite fanciful.

Our manufacturing capability has been run down. A dockyard in Melbourne could not machine a keel block to specifications. The submarine proposal might be one of the ALP government’s booby traps, as Tony Abbott now describes a strategy of imposing impossible expenditure on future governments.

There’s a precedent, of sorts, for buying another 12 F-18s with more up-to-date electronics. The Fraser government leased F-4 Phantom aircraft from the US while waiting for the F-18s. But it was a lease not a purchase, and it was a good deal.

As for buying 72 F-35 stealth strike aircraft down the track, when their developmental bugs have been ironed out, where are those billions coming from? Certainly not from savings.

The latest social welfare program is variously costed at between $7 to $10 billion. The budget deficit is now officially tipped to be $12 billion. Expenditure announcements come along daily. The ABC is to get a new building in Melbourne for $70 million. The government has just found out about the drought, so along comes a $400 million fund for two years.
See your ad here

What would be the position of farmers who took up this offer and replaced current loan arrangements with banks? How would they repay such loans after two years of drought?

Shooting from the hip on the day’s news story is not confined to expenditure. An animal welfare group gets film from an Egyptian abattoir of cattle bought live by Egypt from Australia being slaughtered and the government suspends the sale of live cattle, quite forgetting the impact on the Australian industry when it suspended the export of live cattle to Indonesia for the same reason.

The submarine decision is not about defence but about keeping the workforce members at shipyards in their jobs. There are better ways of renewing the submarine fleet than building new lemons.
.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 25 May 2013 10:32

Russian Navy To Upgrade Il-38 Patrol Fleet

Unlike the Sea Dragon, the Novella has a non-exportable electronic reconnaissance module. The core system is based on modern digital computers and features two operator consoles each with two LCD screens and the commander’s “big picture” tactical situation on a large LCD; a highly sensitive magnetic anomaly detector; a high-resolution thermal imager; and various other sensors. Research and development started in the 1980s, leading to a prototype trials aircraft in 2001. The ambitious program suffered repeated delays and several revisions of the original specification, driven by the need to add new technologies that became available over time.

The decision to upgrade the Il-38s was a hard one for the MoD, which long hesitated whether to outfit a relatively small fleet needing extensive airframe life extension work. The Indian aircraft have received a 40-year life extension. The Il-38N retains the original airplane’s crew of seven, 68-tonne mtow and 5.5- to 8.5-ton internal payload capability for various buoys, torpedoes, mines and depth charges.

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 29 May 2013 08:40

http://www.hydrogenfuelnews.com/hydroge ... y/8510716/

Hydrogen fuel cells used to power new submarine in Germany
By
Tami Hood
– May 28, 2013Posted in: Alternative Energy, Featured News, Hydrogen Fuel Cell, International

New submarine makes use of hydrogen fuel

Germany has been a strong supporter of renewable energy for some time. Most of the country’s focus has been on solar energy, with some attention being devoted to hydrogen fuel for the sake of transportation. Germany’s interests in renewable energy have largely revolved around its incorporation in the private sector, but the country’s military is beginning to show strong interest in clean power, especially when it comes to hydrogen fuel cells. This week, a new non-nuclear submarine has been unveiled in Germany and it is powered by hydrogen fuel.
German Navy continues to focus on hydrogen fuel cells

ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems, a shipbuilder and developer of maritime systems, has developed a new submarine that is powered by an innovative hydrogen fuel cell system. The submarine itself is part of an ongoing project from the German Navy, which is meant to incorporate clean technologies into marine vehicles. The submarine has been named U36 and is the second of its kind to be designed for the German Navy.
Submarine - Hydrogen Fuel CellsFuel cells could be a valuable energy system for marine purposes

The submarine incorporates much of the technology that has made its predecessors valued tools in the German military. Instead of relying on nuclear energy or other forms of power, however, the U36 relies on hydrogen fuel. Fuel cells are able to produce large amounts of electrical power through the use of hydrogen. Hydrogen itself can be extracted from seawater through the process known as electrolysis. Given the fact that the U36 is a submarine, it will have access to an abundant amount of potential fuel. Moreover, hydrogen fuel cells operate silently, a very valuable quality for submarines.
Hydrogen becoming more popular in the military sector

Hydrogen fuel cells have been growing in popularity within the military industries of several countries. This is because fuel cells are reliable and durable in a variety of environments, making them somewhat ideal renewable power systems. Fuel cells, in particular, have been gaining a great deal of support for their use in transportation.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 31 May 2013 16:13

LRSAM

tushar_m · Post by **tushar_m** » 31 May 2013 20:39

Austin wrote:LRSAM

its LRASM anti-ship missile concept from LM for USN, its not our LRSAM

one thing though that i saw in this video , the SAG group destroyers couldn't scan the lower levels , is it true ???

what kind of scan our barak8 use for quick engagement ???

NRao · Post by **NRao** » 31 May 2013 21:21

Shangri-La dialogue: China's rising power in spotlight

TSJones · Post by **TSJones** » 31 May 2013 22:15

tushar_m wrote:
Austin wrote:LRSAM

its LRASM anti-ship missile concept from LM for USN, its not our LRSAM

one thing though that i saw in this video , the SAG group destroyers couldn't scan the lower levels , is it true ???

what kind of scan our barak8 use for quick engagement ???

For the type of radar needed to scan for aircraft, below 50 feet in altitude is a black hole. For the radar that guides the ship's AA machine guns probably 10 feet or lower, essentially wave top, would be a black hole. However, I could be wrong and if I really knew somebody would have to kill me.

SaiK · Post by **SaiK** » 01 Jun 2013 00:57

scanning and tracking objects on surface should be much simpler than on ground, where the clutter is million times higher. what i'm seeing is a white hole rather, and the water being black hole. i am just being technology agnostic for this thought, though I'm pretty much confident that any SAR can do this job.

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 01 Jun 2013 03:10

There is a very long list of table of contents ,covering every type under construction.Worth looking at to see the numerous types and nations building them.The report is hideously expensive.

http://www.sacbee.com/2013/05/30/545788 ... rface.html

The Global Naval Vessels and Surface Combatants Market 2013 - 2023
By Reportlinker
Published: Thursday, May. 30, 2013 - 4:32 am

NEW YORK, May 30, 2013 -- /PRNewswire/ -- Reportlinker.com announces that a new market research report is available in its catalogue:

The Global Naval Vessels and Surface Combatants Market 2013–2023

http://www.reportlinker.com/p01203691/T ... nd_Defense

Synopsis

This report is the result of SDI's extensive market and company research covering the global Naval Vessels and Surface Combatants industry. It provides detailed analysis of both historic and forecast global industry values, factors influencing demand, the challenges faced by industry participants, analysis of the leading companies in the industry, and key news.

Summary

Why was the report written?"The Global Naval Vessels and Surface Combatants Market 2013–2023" offers the reader detailed analysis of the global Naval Vessels and Surface Combatants market over the next ten years, alongside potential market opportunities to enter the industry, using detailed market size forecasts.

What are the key drivers behind recent market changes?

The global naval vessels and surface combatants market is estimated to value US$28.9 billion in 2013, and will increase at a CAGR of 0.2% during the forecast period, to reach US$29.3 billion by 2023. The market is primarily driven by the need to replace the existing aging fleet in North America and Europe, the aggressive modernization strategies adopted by developing economies such as India, China, and Brazil drive the market in Asia-Pacific and Latin America. The global market is expected to achieve a cumulative value of US$300.7 billion during the forecast period, and the Naval Vessels and Surface Combatants market is expected to be dominated by North America, followed by Asia Pacific and Europe.

What makes this report unique and essential to read?"The Global Naval Vessels and Surface Combatants Market 2013–2023" provides detailed analysis of the current industry size and growth expectations from 2013 to 2023, including highlights of key growth stimulators. It also benchmarks the industry against key global markets and provides detailed understanding of emerging opportunities in specific areas.

Scope

The report provides detailed analysis of the market for Naval Vessels and Surface Combatants during 2013–2023, including the factors that influence the reasons that countries are investing in or cutting defense expenditure. It provides detailed expectations of growth rates and projected total expenditure.

Kockums, Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, Huntington Ingalls Industries, FincantieriBAE Systems, Hyundai Heavy Industries, PO Sevmash, ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems , Thales,Lockheed Martin, ASC Pty Ltd., Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding (DSNS), Abu Dhabi Ship building, DCNS, Navantia, General Dynamics, Austal, Rolls-Royce Plc., and Mazagon Docks

An increase in coalition missions, such as international peacekeeping missions, offshore operations, and disaster relief operations, have created a need for interoperable weapon systems that adhere to the standards set by NATO and other organizations. An increase in out-of-area operations has also created a need for participating nations to acquire interoperability with key coalition partners. At the same time, Foreign shipbuilding companies looking for export opportunities are establishing local subsidiaries to enable them to cater to local markets, offering opportunities to domestically established companies. Repair and maintenance contracts can also be undertaken by these companies, increasing business volumes.

Reasons To Buy

North America and Europe account for around 80% of global defense spending; however, the global economic downturn and European debt crisis have negatively impacted defense spending, and allocation for naval surface combatants is expected to decline during the forecast period. For example, the US, the world's largest defense spender, announced defense budget cuts of US$178 billion during 2011–2015; the UK government also announced defense budget cuts, and reduced its number of frigates by four and decided to decommission its aircraft carrier, HMS Ark Royal, earlier than previously planned.

The spending capability of governments around the globe has been affected by the economic slowdown, which is forcing governments to look for alternative ways to equip their armed forces. Defense ministries are spending on modernizing and extending the working lives of existing naval fleets rather than buying new equipment; these mid-life upgrade programs enable governments with constrained financial resources to postpone expenditure on new systems until economic growth is restored and fiscal debt is under control. These upgrade and mid-life extension programs have led to the dampening of demand for new naval surface combatants.

Demand to integrate weapon systems to enable navy fleets to perform multi-role operations will result in cost overruns. Additionally, an increase in the cost of weapon systems and other parts due to program delays will also increase overall program costs. Negotiations regarding costs between a country planning an equipment program and the program's main contractor typically take several years to finalize, during which time the costs of the various weapon systems and other parts to be installed will also rise, leading to further cost overruns.

Key Highlights

North America accounts for the highest expenditure in the global naval vessels and surface combatants market; most of this expenditure can be attributed to the US, with Canada accounting for a small share. A major portion of the expenditure is expected to be towards the country's plan to commission additional USS Arleigh Burke, DDG-51- Flight IIA class destroyers until 2016, and to procure upgraded DDG-51 Flight III destroyers beyond 2016. In addition, it is also expected that the US DoD will invest a substantial amount to replace its aging aircraft carriers and amphibious ships; moreover, with an increased focus on the decentralization of naval attacks, the US Navy has increased its focus on small patrol vessels and corvettes with modular designs for multiple purposes.

Maritime transport accounts for 90% of global trade, as a result of which, countries across the world are compelled to secure their sea lanes. Potential adversaries such as hostile nations, pirates, drug smugglers, and terrorist organizations use the sea to move personnel and weapons, and countries are investing in naval vessels in order to prevent adversaries from controlling sea lanes and also to participate in peacekeeping operations.

A significant increase in the number of submarines during the forecast period, especially in the Asia Pacific region, is likely to result in an increase in vulnerability to submarine attack for various countries worldwide. As a result, various countries are looking to acquire vessels such as stealth frigates, corvettes, and destroyers equipped with anti-submarine warfare capabilities, such as Abu Dhabi-class corvettes and FREMM-class frigates. In addition, equipping cruisers, destroyers, and frigates with ballistic missile defense capabilities is increasingly gaining ground. These factors will continue to compel countries to allocate a significant level of their capital expenditures towards the acquisition of naval vessels with anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and ballistic missile defense (BMD) capabilities.

Table of Contents

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2013/05/30/545788 ... rylink=cpy

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 01 Jun 2013 16:53

First anaerobic system for Lada non-nuclear submarines due 2016 - Navy’s Commander

"In 2016, a full-scale model of anaerobic power plant, designed at "Rubin", will be ready, and the following year, 2017, this system may be installed at the first Lada submarine project 677,” he said. “It would be a different, modernised project of submarines of the class with several different, more technological parameters.”

"These anaerobic systems, as they are completed at "Rubin," will be used for future promising non-nuclear submarines of Lada class, which, surely, will serve also at the Northern Fleet," the admiral said.

He continued saying the use at non-nuclear submarines of anaerobic power plants would add to their level of secrecy, would reduce further the noise, increase endurance, which "undoubtedly will have a positive impact on effectiveness of their combat missions."

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 04 Jun 2013 07:50

Sinking Spanish subs' news.

Electric Boat Hired to Trim Excess from Spanish Submarine

The first of the nation’s design has a weight problem.
Posted by Jessie King (Editor), June 3, 2013 at 07:29 pm

Electric Boat was hired to help the Spanish Navy trim more than 75 tons from its first submarine design the S-80, according to The Day.

The report says that the first sub of its class, the S-81 Isaac Peral, is a diesel-electric submarine and weighs 2,400 tones submerged. There’s about75 tones of excess weight which could prevent the sub from surfacing.

The contract could last three years and be worth up to $14 million.

http://www.theday.com/article/20130603/ ... 9/0/SEARCH

EB gets contract to help lighten Spanish sub

By Jennifer McDermott

Publication: theday.com
Published 06/03/2013

Groton — The first of the Spanish Navy’s four new submarines is too heavy and Electric Boat has been asked to help.

The U.S. Navy hired Electric Boat as the contractor for a foreign military sales agreement with the Spanish Ministry of Defence, in support of the Spanish Navy, according to a statement the U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command issued Monday.

The agreement is worth up to $14 million, an official at the Embassy of Spain who is familiar with the contract said. EB will provide technical assistance and review the S-80 Submarine project for almost three years, the official added.

The S-80 Submarine is Spain’s first submarine design. According to Spanish press reports, the S-81 Isaac Peral, the first member of the class, is at least 75 tons overweight. The diesel-electric submarine weighs 2,400 tons submerged and the excess weight could prevent it from surfacing after it dives.

Navantia, a Spanish state-owned company, is building the S-80 submarine fleet. Each submarine will have a crew of 32 and eight special forces.

The Isaac Peral was scheduled to be delivered in 2015 at a cost of about $700 million, but it is estimated that correcting the weight and balance issues could take up to two years.

When asked whether EB would help with the weight problem specifically, the Embassy official said, “We hope.” He did not know how many EB employees would be involved.

EB referred questions to the U.S. Navy.

In 2003, the British Ministry of Defence solicited EB’s help for its Astute submarine program through a foreign military sales agreement with the United States.

With a substantial gap between the design and construction of the Vanguard class and the start of the Astute program, submarine design and construction skills had atrophied in the United Kingdom, according to the RAND Corp., and about 100 experienced EB designers and managers worked with BAE Systems on the design effort.

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 09 Jul 2013 12:03

Russia developing new research subs.Check pic.

http://www.plenglish.com/index.php?opti ... 1&Itemid=1
Russia Builds Submarine with Scientific and Military Aims

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 11 Jul 2013 08:21

IMDS 2013 Pictures

http://saidpvo.livejournal.com/188760.html
http://rbase.new-factoria.ru/gallery/ob ... iya-gsankt
http://saidpvo.livejournal.com/187517.html
http://saidpvo.livejournal.com/188080.html

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 11 Jul 2013 08:39

LRASM - yawn . a subsonic, highflying jassm derived airframe when Cheen is already mounting some long wave radars on certain ships... even a good ciws will chew it up.
the tomahawkASM was a failure for the same reason this one will be - slow, and over long range this slowness just gives people more time to get organized.
http://www.ausairpower.net/USN/TASM-Profile-S.jpg

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 12 Jul 2013 13:43

Singha,then what about Nirbhay? The effectiveness will then depend upon the target's defence capabilities.In Libya,the US fired well over 100 Tomahawks,over 70+ just from one sub alone.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 12 Jul 2013 17:49

nirbhay will never go hunting ships or fly at high level as this LRASM claims to be.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 17 Jul 2013 15:06

An update on German Naval Development

Germany’s Rising Global Naval Power

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 22 Jul 2013 10:24

Astute turned out to be the better submarine in last years Astute versus Virginia Sea Exercise.

Some pictures here https://navynews.co.uk/archive/news/item/3501

US 'taken aback' by HMS Astute

The United States Navy was 'blown away' by the performance of HMS Astute during sea trials in the Atlantic recently, the ship's commanding officer has said.

Commander Ian Breckenridge, 45, led HMS Astute through four-and-a-half months of sea trials off the US east coast and said the submarine had demonstrated "tremendous capability".

"We met and surpassed every expectation. She is just better than any other submarine I have ever been on," he said.

During the trials, Astute took part in simulated battles with American Virginia Class submarine USS New Mexico, deep dived, and fired her Tomahawk missiles and Spearfish torpedoes. HMS Astute sailed 16,400 miles during the deployment.

The success comes after a series of operational setbacks during the submarine's sea trials to date, with Astute becoming grounded on a shingle bank in late 2010 and later damaged by a tug sent to recover her. The attack submarine also suffered a failure of support systems in February 2011.

"Astute is still on trial and she is first of class, which always brings its own problems, but we are beginning to look beyond those problems and see the promise," said Commander Breckenridge, who previously served on HMS Superb and HMS Tireless.

"We fired off four Tomahawks, aimed at a corner of Eglin Air Force Base to test for accuracy, and we fired six Spearfish torpedoes, including the first salvo firing by a British submarine for 15 years.

"Our sonar is fantastic and I have never before experienced holding a submarine at the range we were holding USS New Mexico. The Americans were utterly taken aback, blown away with what they were seeing."

Second in class HMS Ambush was launched in 2011 and is set to begin sea trials later this year. The UK is to receive seven Astute class submarines overall.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 22 Jul 2013 12:14

brits always talk like that.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 22 Jul 2013 15:19

USN has its own version of the story

http://ussnewmexico.net/

As I reflect on what has been an outstanding first full year of operations for NEW MEXICO, 2012 was a year to be remembered. Achieving surge deployment status five months early, strong performances in two major engineering assessments, a strong Supply Management Inspection, a strong performance in our Tactical Readiness Evaluation, strong performances in our 3-M and Quality Assurance assessments, Submarine Command Course Operations, serving as the host platform for the OMSUBLANT Change of Command, outstanding performance in shallow water exercises where we out hit our opposition at a 2-1 rate, and our unparalleled performance against HMS ASTUTE in the US-UK Fellowship 12 Exercise are all testaments to how well the ship and crew have performed. As I often tell the crew, submarines that perform well across the spectrum of submarine operations are performing at an excellent level. I am happy to tell you that that holds true for your sailors onboard this ship. So strong was the ship's performance in 2012, that NEW MEXICO was recognized by COMSUBRON FOUR for outstanding performance in Personnel Readiness and Navigation, earning top honors in Squadron FOUR in these categories.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 22 Jul 2013 21:31

I tend to believe the khan more than the brits. khan has little need to make boastful statements, while brits like the TSP has a need to make themselves sound more powerful and useful than they really are

in any real fight khan might muster 10 subs but the brits will RUN to send 1 small sub to say they also fought shoulder to shoulder in the frontline.