Further details have emerged about the SMX-21-derived new-generation SMX-22 SSK now being offered by ARMARIS of France to the Indian Navy. The conceptual SMX-21, a radical design first unveiled at the Euronaval 2002 exhibition in Paris, was then touted as being the solution for maximum weapons storage without increasing the SSK’s displacement. Based on twin pressure-hull architecture, the concept allows to load up to 30 heavyweight weapons within a hull that displaces only 2,700 tonnes, thanks to ‘mission modules’ located between the hulls. This architecture allows great flexibility and can accommodate every type of mission, by simply changing the modules. Strong safety improvements are made by separating the crew-living areas from potentially hazardous zones. ARMARIS, DCNI and THALES are now cooperating to develop an even more advanced variant of the SMX-21, which has been designated as the SMX-22, and will comprise a mother boat and two mini-submarines in a networked system. The SMX-22’s design was first unveiled at the Euronaval 2004 exhibition, and combines three submarines into one underwater vessel with a 3,700-tonne displacement. It comprises a command unit nicknamed NCW, and twin operational units nicknamed OPS. The NCW unit centralises tactical data, exchanges information with a Navy’s Fleet Command HQ, sails the OPS units towards the operational theatre, and ensures energy production. It is also the base for the OPS unit crew between two missions. Each OPS submarine, displacing less than 500 tonnes, is fitted with a mission-specific modular payload before leaving the harbour. With no energy production facility, the OPS unit, equipped with an AIP module, is thus extremely silent. After each mission, limited to a few days, the OPS unit would go back to the NCW command unit for battery recharge and crew change. This flotilla of three submarines can operate jointly on the operational theatre. The mother SSK can carry up to 50 heavyweight weapons (torpedoes, anti-ship or land-attack cruise missiles), as well as autonomous unmanned underwater vehicles and special operations forces. For first-time SSK customers, ARMARIS is offering a new low-cost coastal SSK concept, called the SMX-23 Andrasta, which is designed for safe, precise navigation in shallow waters and for missions ranging from special operations to intelligence gathering and mine-laying.—Prasun K. Sengupta
Captions
1) SMX-22 SSK
2) SMX-22 SSK's CIC
3) SMX-22 SSK's IPMS
4) SMX-23 Andrasta SSK
1) SMX-22 SSK
2) SMX-22 SSK's CIC
3) SMX-22 SSK's IPMS
4) SMX-23 Andrasta SSK
9 comments:
what will b the price difference between amur1650 and smx22
infact hull design of smx22 appeares to b like a upgraded hull of agusta 90b
to sengupta
can u post some about SPERICAL BOW ARRAY SONARS in virginia and seawolf class subs
also what r the ranges of these spherical sonars
which sonar has been selected for scorpene sub
and what r the advantages OF
S CUBE SONAR if it is selected
hey prasun relax man.. you are writing too much each day until you'll have nothing more to publish sooner or later..
WHO R Those on bharat rakshak forum
to discuss various defence related topics
r they military analyst,
ex servicemen of armed forces,scientists or something else
To Max@2:37AM: Relax mate, for I have plenty of stories to offload for at least the next 6 months. But mucho thanks for your well-meaning concern.
To Anon@4:56PM: The S-Cube is standard fit on the Scorpene. It is an ultra-low frequency bow-mounted sonar and I will soon post an article analysing the merits of going for such sonars as opposed to the legacy systems like medium-frequency sonars.
to sengupta
r scorpenes being fitted with s cube sonar or not
as u said that only very low frequency sonars can detect other submarines so whats wrong with
s cube sonar
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