Page 22: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (December 1994)

main focuses of submarine technol- ogy development. Submarine S&T provides the attributes for a covert survivable platform having im- proved advanced joint war fighting capabilities to: maintain real-time knowledge of the enemy; engage regional forces promptly and on a globed scale; employ capabilities suit- able to actions at the lower end of the full range of military opera- tions; and counter the threat of weapons of mass destruction and ballistic and cruise missiles to conti- nental U.S. and deployed forces.

Technology will thus be focused on enhancing the stealth quality of sub- marines, and focus on maintenance of SSN21 acoustic signature goals at reduced cost, reduction of the signature of surfaced submarines, and reduction of electromagnetic sig- natures consistent with the threat.

Specifically strategies to accomplish goals are design methods, active mount and coating concepts, com- posite hull components and imag- ing and diagnostic technologies.

Hydrodynamic studies will address propulsion technology for reduced cost and wake signature, and im- proved maneuverability and con- trol. Specifically, the Navy is look- ing for a cost reduction of 30 to 50 percent and weight reductions of 20 percent over the SSN21 propulsion.

Unmanned Underwater

Vehicles

S&T focus for UUVs will be tc make the vehicles smaller and lighter, as well as more able to wort in shallower waters.

To accomplish these goals S&T dollars will be given for lightweight, low signature composite hull tech- nology and thrust vector pump jet technology (to provide optimum con- trol at low speeds).To help improve

UUV endurance, rechargeable lithium batteries are being devel- oped, with expected availability in three years. Aluminum-Oxygen semi-fuel-cells, with four times en- ergy density of silver zinc batteries, will be tested at sea in FY '95; and a

Wick-Stirling thermal system pro- gram is proceeding toward demon- stration in FY '97.

Surface Ships S&T Funding

Year(FY) 94 95 96 97 98 99

Funding ($M) 40 37 42 44 27 28

Submarine S&T Funding

Year(FY) 94 95 96 97 98 99

Funding ($M) 42 52 55 48 30 35

UUV S&T Funding

Year (FY) 94 95 96 97 98 99

Funding ($M) 26 36 36 31 27 26

Mediterranean Shipping To

Add Four Ships: Two

Existing, Two Newbuilds

With a decision that significantly increases its fleet, Mediterranean

Shipping Company(MSC), Geneva, ordered the construction of two 3,300-TEU ships and purchased six 2,000-TEU ships.

According toNicole Arena, presi- dent of MSC (USA), the general agent, the substantial investment was necessary to satisfy the demands of the trade. The two new vessels will be built by Italy's Fincantieri for delivery in early 1996. The ships will cost $48 million each and will sail at 23 knots. Six other ships have been purchased from Oldendorf and

Norasia. These ships are all of re- cent construction and will be de- ployed in the South Africa and Aus- tralia trade. MSC operates a fleet of 67 ships, 56 of which it owns.

SSPA Consultants Retained

For FastShip™ Model Tests

Circle 262 on Reader Service Card

SSPA Maritime Consulting AB has been commissioned to perform model tests for the FastShip™ , the next generation of trans-oceanic freighters. Thornycroft, Giles & Co.

Inc., Virginia, has spent the last 15 years developing the FastShip (See

MR/EN August 1994 for full story).

By using gas turbines and waterjet propulsors the ship will cross the north Atlantic in 3.5 days.

For more information on SSPA

Maritime Consulting

Circle 3 on Reader Service Card 52 Maritime Reporter/Engineering News

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