French
naval defense group DCNS opened today a subsidiary in Australia named
"DCNS Australia". The move, which coincides with an official
visit to Australia by French president François Hollande with
Thales and DCNS CEOs alongside, is aimed at getting closer to the Royal
Australian Navy (RAN) and ultimately better marketing the SMX OCEAN
submarine when the opportunity arises. |
SMX
Ocean SSK:
SMX Ocean is a new heavy conventional submarine (SSK) which was unveiled
by DCNS at Euronaval 2014. It is based on the Barracuda SSN currently
under construction. Xavier Mesnet (Submarines Marketing Director at
DCNS) told Navy Recognition: "SMX OCEAN is more than a concept
ship, it is a concept ship near to be realized".
The focus of DCNS engineers in developing the SMX OCEAN was put on endurance
and high sustained speed. The 4,700 tons SSK was designed for an endurance
of 14,000 nautical miles (3 months autonomy) and a continuous transit
speed of 14 knots for 1 week.
2nd Generation fuel cell:
To achieve such performance, the propulsion system is based on DCNS'
revolutionary second generation fuel cell. This solution combines several
key DCNS innovations in fuel cell technology and has some specific advantages:
- the hydrogen produced on demand avoid storage contraints and hazards,
- the absence of pure-oxygen in the cells allows longer life cycle,
- the fuel is easily available worldwide.
The 2nd generation fuel-cell encompasses:
- a compact oxygen module,
- an energy module, composed of a fuel processor and the cells to produce
electricity,
- a control system, fully integrated within the platform management
system, operated from the control room,
- its own ancillaries: trimming tank, cooling systems, safety devices.
There is no impact on the ship equilibrium and the crew comfort.
The fuel processor generates pure hydrogen. Pure oxygen is mixed with
nitrogen to create the air used by the dual-technologies fuel-cells.
These fuel-cells combine oxygen and hydrogen, to produce water and electricity.
The 2nd generation fuel-cell increases submerged endurance to three
weeks (at 4kts); a capability that confers a decisive advantage in certain
theatres of operations.
This is a technological breakthrough compared to existing AIP solutions
(even in Europe) because the system generates less oxidation and increases
the lifetime of the propulsion system. In addition, the maintenance
cycle of the fuel-cell now matches the maintenance cycle of the whole
submarine while existing solutions are very maintenance intesive. This
technology exists since DCNS built a shore based functional model of
the 2nd generation fuel-cell and has been testing it for many years
now; |
French
Officials visit to Australia:
On November 18, French President François Hollande visited
the Thales Australia facility in Rydalmere. According to Thales, President
Hollande accompanied by Australian Minister for Defence Senator David
Johnston viewed the company’s world-leading underwater systems
and sonar capabilities, now firmly established in Australia after 30
years of Thales and French Government transfer of technology, expertise
and investment.
During the visit, the President and other VIPs including French
Ambassador Christophe Lecourtier, Thales Executive Vice President Pierre
Eric Pommellet and CEO of DCNS Herve Guillou, focused on Thales Australia’s
manufacture of Scylla submarine sonars for Australia’s Collins
Class submarines, including the latest Flank Array upgrades and integration
capabilities for SEA 1000 Future Submarine systems. President Hollande’s
visit follows the G20 Leaders' Summit held on 15-16 November in Brisbane.
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