July 21, 2015

Possible Uses of Remus 600 AUV "Drone" launched by USS North Dakota

COMMENT

The US Navy has briefed the media on the (alleged) first use of an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) for a military operation by a US submarine (see article below). "AUV" is a subset of the more common term Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV). The US Navy then gives no details of the AUVs actual use in the body of water in question - the Mediterranean Sea.

"No details" always tempts me to fill in the blanks. So I looked up the details of the AUV in question, known as the REMUS 600, on the website of the developer-builder, Kongsberg-Hydroid. Note that Kongsberg-Hydroid is a Norwegian firm - not US.

Results gleaned are that Kongsberg-Hydroid AUVs (“drones”) are modular and may be fitted with a large number of different types of sensors and have been used to aid in hydrographic surveys, harbor security operations, debris field mapping, scientific sampling and mapping. Kongsberg-Hydroid AUVs have been used in as many basic and applied research programs funded by the US Office of Naval Research (ONR), the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the UK Ministry of Defense.

So to what sensitive part of the Mediterranean Sea might the USS North Dakota nuclear attack submarine (SSN) send its REMUS 600 AUV on a sensitive mission? The Russian Naval Base of Tartus in Syria may qualify as most sensitive. Tartus is also a major signals (intercept) intelligence base. The AUV might plausibly gather intelligence on the appoaches to Tartus's harbour. This may include hydrographic conditions (eg. water temperature, currents and sea floor mapping). The AUV may also gather the sonar and other sensor signatures of Russian warships entering or leaving Tartus harbour. Any Russian Tartus harbor security measures would be of interest including Russian sea floor sensors.

SPECIFICATIONS

Specifications of the Kongsberg-Hydroid REMUS 600 - Autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV)

REMUS 600 - Autonomous underwater vehicle

Vehicle diameter: 32.4 cm (12.75 in)
Vehicle length: 3.25 m (128 in), length varies depending upon module configuration.
Weight in air: 240 kg (530 lbs)
Maximum operating depth: 600 m (1500 m configurations available)
Power: 5.2 kWh rechargeable Lithium ion battery. (Second 5.2 kWh or 6.2 kWh battery tray is optional)
Endurance: Typical mission endurance is 24 hours dependant on speed and sensor configuration, operating environment and mission program.
Propulsion: Direct drive DC brushless motor to open two bladed propeller
Velocity range: Up to 2.1 m/s (4 knots) variable over range. Dependant on sensor configuration.
Control: 3 independent control fins providing yaw, pitch, and roll control. Altitude, depth, yo-yo, and track-line following provided. Optional forward fins available for lateral and pitch control.
External hook-up: Two connectors, one for shore power, and one for shore data. Alternatively, 802.11G wireless network provided via dorsal fin antenna.
Casualty circuits: Ground fault, leak and low voltage detection, housing leak detection, all sensors and systems have operational go/no-go fault indicators.
Navigation: Inertial/DVL navigator, Long base line acoustic, WAAS GPS, P-Code GPS.
Tracking: Acoustic transponder, acoustic modem, Iridium modem. Shipboard equipment provided with system.
Communication: Acoustic modem, Iridium, WiFi-2.4 GHz, 100 base-T Ethernet.
Standard sensors: ADCP/Doppler Velocity Log, Inertial Navigation Unit, Side Scan Sonar, Iridium, GPS, Pressure , Conductivity & Temperature
Optional payload sensors: User specified, but examples include Dual Frequency 300/900 kHz Side-Scan Sonar (SSS), Video Camera, Electronic Still Camera, Fluorometers, Multi-beam sonar, etc.
Software: REMUS-VIP GUI based laptop interface for programming, training, documentation, maintenance and troubleshooting
Emergency relocation: Emergency power system maintains GPS, Iridium, and acoustic transponder in the event of vehicle or CPU failure. Vehicle position and status is automatically transmitted via Iridium at regular intervals.

Note that other reports in the media (for example here) depict a picture of the confusingly named REMUS 6000 (six thousand) - which at 1,900 pounds and 12.6 feet long is not what the USS North Dakota used.

BACKGROUND

Developer of the Remus 600 is Kongsberg Maritime which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Kongsberg Group. As a leading Norwegian technology company established on 20th March 1814, the Kongsberg Group has the longest industrial history in Norway. More specifically the developer is Hydroid Inc a wholly owned subsidiary of Kongsberg Maritime.

ARTICLE

"Submarine launches undersea drone in a 1st for US Navy

By Michael Melia, Associated Press via Yahoo News, July 21, 2015 reports http://news.yahoo.com/submarine-launches-undersea-drone-1st-us-navy-204841889.html

GROTON, Conn. (AP) - In a first for the U.S. Navy, a submarine has launched and recovered [a Kongsberg-Hydroid Remus 600] underwater drone used in a military operation.

The attack submarine USS North Dakota returned to its base in Groton on [July 20, 2015] following a nearly two-month deployment to the Mediterranean Sea specifically to test the drone-launching capability.

"This was something they thought we could go do," Capt. Douglas Gordon, the vessel's commanding officer, said in an interview at the base. "We went out, and we proved that."

The drone was launched from a shelter attached to the top of the Virginia class submarine that can also be used for the undersea deployment of divers and special forces. Gordon declined to provide details of the mission.

The Navy sees the drones, also known as unmanned undersea vehicles, or UUVs, as a cost-effective way to extend the reach of its submarine fleet, which has been gradually shrinking in size since the end of the Cold War.

"We can do a dual mission," Gordon said. "UUVs do their thing while we do other operations."

Navy Capt. Carl Hartsfield, a program manager for undersea capabilities, said the feat reflects the Navy's commitment to integrating unmanned vehicles. He said the vehicle deployed by the North Dakota is from a class that is readily available on the commercial market and can be reconfigured to carry a wide range of payloads.

The Navy has used unmanned vehicles to simulate enemy submarines for training purposes since the 1970s, and they also have been used to detect mines and map the ocean floor. The military has been researching how to use them more for other purposes including intelligence gathering and even anti-submarine warfare.

The development of the undersea drones has been pioneered at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center in Newport, Rhode Island, which in 2010 launched one that navigated its own way from Newport to Woods Hole, Massachusetts, in what the military called an unprecedented feat. NUWC has worked closely with private companies, academic institutions and other government agencies involved in similar research.

The drone deployed by the North Dakota was a [Kongsberg-Hydroid] Remus 600, a 500-pound, 10-foot-long vehicle that its maker, Hydroid, says can be equipped with video cameras, GPS devices and sonar technology. Gordon declined to say whether it was self-guided or piloted by a member of the submarine's crew."

Pete

July 20, 2015

Chinese, Russian & Western Submarine Pressure Hull Strengths

YS = Yield Strength or proof stress. HY = High Yield

YS	US	UK	France	Germany	China	Russia and India	Japan	Australia	Sweden
550MPa	HY80	Q1N		1.3964		India DMR- 292 #	* 1) NS56
590MPa			60 HLES		921A TA5-A	AK- 2548 -OT3
630MPa				1.3974
690MPa	HY 100	Q2N				AB-2	* 2) NS70
700MPa			80 HLES					BIS 812 EMA	Wel dox 700
785MPa					980	AK-29	NS80
890MPa	HY 130		100 HLES		*4) Ti80	AB-3?	NS90		Wel dox 900
980MPa						AK-33
1075MPa						AK- ??
1178MPa	HY 156						* 3) NS 110

# on India see GhalibKabir's comment (Comment section below) of December 31, 2018. Indian steelmill made pressure hull steel was originally developed from Russian steel.

* 1) steel of 550MPa and NS56 is equivalent to HY80 grade steel.

* 2) steel of 690MPa and NS70 is equivalent to HY100 grade steel.

* 3) steel 1078MPa and NS110 is equivalent to the HY156 grade steel.

* 4) Ti80 Titanium alloy under development 880MPa equivalent to NS90 or HY128 steel - source.

The Table is from towards the end of Japanese Document "High-tensile steel Summary of national submarine" or Summary of High Tensile Steel for Submarines by Country 2013 http://seesaawiki.jp/w/doramarine/ .

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The document below which provides a comprehensive summary of some nuclear and conventional submarine pressure hull steel (and some Titanium) strengths. This is for at least 11 major submarine producing countries. The document is attributed to a vast number of open sources.

The higher the yield (stronger) the steel alloy or Titanium alloy in a submarines pressure hull the deeper it can dive in operations. As well as alloy strength other factors also influence diving depth including:

- supports for the the pressure hull

- compartments or multiple pressure hulls, and

- strength of the welds used to join sections of the pressure hull.

It is not possible to verify the accuracy of most of the figures. Commenters who know more are invited to supply corrections.

Please connect with Submarine Matters "Previous Use of Titanium in Russian Submarines" July 14, 2015 http://gentleseas.blogspot.com.au/2015/07/previous-use-of-titanium-in-russian.html.

Document Link

Click http://seesaawiki.jp/w/doramarine/ - document will appear to be mainly in Japanese - if you have Windows right click mouse - then click Translate to English (or Russian or Chinese etc).

The English translation is not great - which is why I have provided a summary of some Chinese and Russian pressure hull strengths below.

Document Name and Year

"High-tensile steel Summary of national submarine" or Summary of High Tensile Steel for Submarines by Country 2013.

Summary of Chinese and Russian High Tensile Alloys Pressure Hulls by Submarine Class

Below are some of the details for China and Russia. Many more details are in the Document text.

Utilising converters

The Japanese NS measure (kgf/mm2) to US (ksi = 1,000 psi) and vice versa http://www.endmemo.com/sconvert/kgf_mm2ksi.php

psi x 1000 = HY converted to MPa and vice versa http://www.convertunits.com/from/psi/to/MPa .

Chinese Submarine pressure hulls

Type 093 "Shang" class SSN (2 or 3 active) and Type 094 "Jin" class SSBN (4 active) "980" steel which has a strength between 784MPa and 802MPa = average of 793MPa = NS81 = HY115

Type 039 "Song" class SSK (13 active) and possibly Type 039A "Yuan" class SSK (13 active, 7 building) 921A steel: strength 590MPa = NS60 = HY86

Chinese GJB944-90 Titanium alloy (TA5-A) strength 588MPa = NS60 = HY85 seems to be the equivalent to Russian 48-OT3 Titanium alloy.

[There is an interesting reference on Chinese Titanium alloy research for pressure hulls. The reference is “Research progress in titanium alloys for naval ships in China” by YANG Ying-li, et al., The Chinese Journal of Nonferrous Metals, 2010, vol. 20, special 1, pages 1002 to 1006. http://www.ysxbcn.com/down/upfile/soft/20101012/215-p1002-6-033.pdf

This concerns “Ti80” titanium alloy for submarine pressure hulls. It has been developed by Shanghai Iron and Steel Research Institute which appears to have connections with and China Iron and Steel Research Institute Group (CISRI) and Baosteel Group Shanghai No.5 Iron & Steel Co. Ltd

The composition of Ti80 is Ti-6Al-3Nb-2Zr-1Mo with properties of high toughness, weldability, corrosion resistant, good low-cycle fatigue. Yield strength of Ti80 is 880MPa = NS90 = HY128. While Ti80’s while proof strength is 785MPa.

Stages in R&D on marine Titanium in China which may potentially be used in pressure hulls are:

1962-1987 Initial stage: TA5, believed to be an imitation of Russian or US Titanium alloy.
1987-2009 Independent innovation stage: Various Titanium alloys developed including Ti80.
2008-present Industrial research and promotion stage.

Summary of “Research progress in titanium alloys for naval ships in China” Conclusion: Chinese development of Titanium for marine uses is mature in research institutes but still needs further and systematic testing under conflicting performance parameters. Much more work needs to be done before Titanium alloys can be used in Chinese submarine pressure hulls.]

Russian submarine pressure hulls

Akula class SSGN-SSN commissioned 1991 onwards, ten still active , may use AK-33 steel alloy = 979MPa = NS100 = HY142

Yasen-Severodvinsk class SSGN (or SSN) one commissioned 2013, four being built, may also used a low magnetic steel alloy - perhaps a development of AK-33. See Russian website.

Lada class SSK one commissioned 2010 uses "AB-2 "steel: strength 588-686MPa = NS60 - NS70 = HY85 = HY100 (thickness in mm?)

Oscar I, II and III SSGN commissioned 1980 onwards, five still active, may use AK-33 steel alloy.

Sierra class SSN one launched 1983, four built, perhaps two still active - uses Titanium alloy hull - average strength 690MPa = NS70 = HY100

Victor class SSN commissioned from 1967 - early Victors (classes I and IIs) may have used "AK-29" steel: strength 784MPa = NS80 = HY114. Eight Victor IIIs still active - may use "AK-33" = 979MPa = NS100 = HY142.

November class SSN in commission 1959-1990 used "K-25" low magnetic steel 588MPa = NS60 = HY85

I'll summarise other parts of the document in the future.

Pete

July 17, 2015

Australian Labor Party Policies Less Close to US and Japan. China?

COMMENT

The following article is something that Japanese submarine builders and the Abe Government might need to consider if Labor wins the next Australia Election (probably in 2016). Over the 15 years of the build of Australia's future submarines (in Japan or Australia) Labor is likely to win government. Under Australian Coalition or Labor Governments Japanese submarine technology might be increasingly at risk when sent to Australia's close economic ally, China.

ARTICLE

The Business Spectator, July 17, 2015 reports http://www.businessspectator.com.au/news/2015/7/17/national-affairs/labor-tones-down-us-embrace:

Labor tones down US embrace

STEFANIE BALOGH AND DENNIS SHANAHAN

Labor has watered down its language on the US-Australia alliance, abandoning references to the ANZUS Treaty as “one of Australia’s great national assets’’ and “the bedrock of regional stability’’ as part of its policy blueprint for government.

The significant foreign policy shift, which could hand a future Labor government more room to balance the relationship between the US and China in the Asia-Pacific, was drafted by foreign affairs spokeswoman and deputy leader Tanya Plibersek, in consultation with members of the party’s shadow cabinet national security committee.

Labor’s draft national platform drops a reference to Japan being “Australia’s closest partner in Asia’’, and strengthens the party’s position on China’s re-emergence, describing it as “one of the most significant developments of the 21st century”.

The changes did not “cause any ripples” with committee members who include right and left-wing Labor MPs: Bill Shorten, Ms Plibersek, Stephen Conroy, Mark Dreyfus, David Feeney, Richard Marles and Jacinta Collins. But The Australian understands the US has noted the shift in Labor’s stance.

The party’s existing national platform, agreed to in December 2011, states: “Labor believes that the ANZUS Treaty, which is central to the alliance relationship, is one of Australia’s great national assets.”

It says: “Labor’s response to the security challenges in our region is multifaceted. Labor strongly supports the US Alliance and continued US military engagement in the region, which has provided the bedrock of regional stability for decades.’’

The platform was endorsed a month after then prime minister Julia Gillard hosted US President Barack Obama in Australia, and the pair visited Darwin where they launched to great fanfare the stationing of US marines on Australian soil.

Labor’s draft platform, to be debated at the ALP national conference in Melbourne at the end of next week, has streamlined the language on the ANZUS Treaty and US-Australia alliance. The changes come amid an internal Labor push to give greater foreign policy prominence to the relationship with China, despite the party’s industrial wing running a protectionist-style scare campaign against the China-Australia free trade agreement."

FULL ARTICLE

Pete

DCNS Shortfin Barracuda - Australian Submarine Evaluation Continues

A sidenote is this stirring Youtube of France's all nuclear submarine force. Youtube mainly features the Rubis class-AMETHYSTE rebuilt, Saphir SSN. Saphir displaces 2,400 tonnes (surfaced), crew 70, powered by a 48 MW reactor, 60 day mission endurance only limited by food. New Rubis-AMETHYSTEs are no longer built with French DCNS due to launch the first Barracuda SSN replacement by 2017. Initial picture above is the Le Terrible SSBN. The Youtube mainly kicks in at 45 seconds, with Saphir interior action at 4 minutes 30 seconds.
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COMMENT

There have been many media reports announcing the Shortfin Barracuda. This may be the most detailed. All the future submarine contenders, Japan, France and Germany, are putting forward designs with varying degrees of newness. This means none are precisely "off-the-shelf" not even Japan's.

The article indicates "The preferred bidder is expected to be announced in the first quarter of 2016." If, as is likely, the preferred bidder is Japan the announcement would probably be after the next Australian Election. This is because a win by Japan, meaning "build in Japan", would be a very unpopular decision with voters - especially those in Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales. So if the Election is in March 2016 the final announcement of Japan would be made around April 2016 or later.

ARTICLE

naval-technology.com, July 16, 2015 reports http://www.naval-technology.com/news/newsdcns-offers-shortfin-barracuda-australia-future-submarine-programme-4624492

"DCNS offers Shortfin Barracuda for Australia’s future submarine programme

France's DCNS is set to propose its Shortfin Barracuda Block 1A design for Australia's future submarine competitive evaluation process (CEP).

Claimed to be the world's most advanced conventionally powered submarine, the vessel is in its pre-concept design stage and has been named after an indigenous species of the Barracuda found in Australia's Great Barrier Reef.

The Shortfin Barracuda is the smaller version of the French Navy's Barracuda nuclear-powered attack submarine.

DCNS Australia CEO Sean Costello said: "While exact details remain confidential, DCNS can confirm the Shortfin Barracuda is over 90m in length and displaces more than 4,000t when dived.

"If selected, the Shortfin Barracuda will remain in service until the 2060s and the Block 1A platform will be updated and upgraded with new technology developed in France and Australia.

"The technical evolution of the submarine will be enabled by a strategic level government-to-government agreement between France and Australia."

DCNS's design will compete against Japan's Soryu-class and German firm TKMS's Type-216 submarines, reported Sky News.

"DCNS can confirm the Shortfin Barracuda is over 90m in length and displaces more than 4,000t when dived."

The future submarine project is the country's largest defence procurement programme, representing an investment of $50bn.

Australia is seeking to build submarines with range and endurance similar to the Collins-class vessels, as well as superior sensor performance, and stealth characteristics.

This new submarine fleet is expected to fill a capability gap in the mid-2020s, when the Collins-class submarine is scheduled to retire from service.

Last month, the Australian Government established the Expert Advisory Panel to oversee the competitive evaluation process for the submarine programme.

In February, it announced the acquisition strategy for the programme, providing further details of the competitive evaluation process.

The preferred bidder is expected to be announced in the first quarter of 2016.

Image: The Shortfin Barracuda is more than 90m long. Photo: courtesy of DCNS"

Pete

July 16, 2015

Thailand Puzzling Whether to Buy Chinese Submarines

A model of a Chinese S20 (or S-20) submarine at an arms trade show. Note that it is being marketed by "CSOC" - which is the China Shipbuilding & Offshore international Co (CSOC) Ltd.

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A Chinese Type 039A or Type 041 Yuan class submarine - with many Russian Kilo characteristics. Thailand has been puzzling whether to buy 3 small version Yuans - called "S-20" or "S-26T".

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For the latest on Thailand's on-again, off-again interest in submarines see Submarine Matters Does Thailand Need Submarines At All? August 12, 2015.

COMMENT

Please connect with my Chinese Yuans for Thailand and Pakistan? June 27, 2015. It looks like I was right (in the June 27 article) in being cautious - I said "China is an unconfirmed choice" and "If China is finally chosen".

The whole process of Thailand selecting Chinese submarines looked strange from the beginning. The "process" being a mere Naval Committee deciding on Chinese submarines and then publicising the decision before the Thai Cabinet had signed off on it.

It all looks like a face saving formula where the Thai military government only indirectly proposed submarines. But high defence spending was/is unpopular with sections of the public. Other competing spending priorities, such as reformed healthcare, were raised.

Perhaps only two Chinese submarines, or other subs, might be bought at some point in the future.

ARTICLE