Page 51: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (November 2014)

www.marinelink.com 51 any speci? c technology opportunities.

This minimizes product realization tim- escales.

Replacing the current Astute subma- rine ? eet will be Successor, which will carry the U.K.’s strategic nuclear deter- rent. According to Naval Forces, Suc- cessor will be the largest and most ad- vanced submerged platforms operated by the Royal Navy and the design and construction will be the most technologi- cally complex in the history of the U.K.

Successor will be built and equipped by BAE Systems. Hydro Group has been selected to design, develop and qualify a range of connectorized through-hull penetrators on the submarine ? eet, which has been acknowledged by BAE as offering a highly innovative and cost effective penetrator solution to take the

Successor ? eet into the next decade. The project will engage a dedicated team of

Hydro Group’s engineers and the new technology requirements dove-tail with the Group’s current extensive R & D program.

The design and development of the new range of through-hull penetrators will be subjected to a process vigor- ously controlled by extremely onerous standards and testing procedures with a demanding set of electrical power and signal, radio frequency and optical re- quirements. The design must guarantee a cast iron capability for the system to perform its mechanical function in harsh or hazardous environments and to ensure that this can be achieved without limit- ing the electrical or optical performance.

A core aspect of the innovation for the new through-hull penetrators is the mi- gration of inserts from Hydro Group’s existing range of submarine dry mate connectors (SDMs), originally devel- oped for the Astute Program.

The complimentary requirements of the subsea energy, defense, scienti? c and offshore renewables markets provide scope for Hydro Group to adopt and adapt appropriate processes that enhance the solutions and service provided to all subsea markets. Technological solutions for the Successor ? eet will undoubtedly advance innovative research and devel- opment in other industries.

Continuous investment in our equip- ment, processes and facilities, together with our commitment to training and staff development all contribute to ? exi- ble and adaptable support to our custom- ers and to providing active participation in a number of collaborative programs with them and other consortiums.

Technological advancement of subma- rines will continue to provide a business opportunity for Hydro Group, strategi- cally focussed on the U.K.’s defense ca- pability, and long term, around the globe.

The Author

Doug Whyte is Managing Director of

Hydro Group plc, an innovative subsea design and manufacturing group, incor- porating Hydro Bond Engineering and

Hydro Cable Systems Ltd. The Hydro

Group team apply their extensive knowl- edge and capabilities in materials and applications, developed over 30 years, to provide market leading design and manufacturer of underwater cables and connectors for subsea, underwater, top- side and onshore applications. The com- pany is a major global supplier of harsh environment engineered products to the offshore oil and gas, defence, oceano- graphic, renewable energies, diving and

ROV/AUV markets.

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