Feature 5 | SUBMARINE RESCUE
Launch and recovery system is up to the
challenge
It is rare for an engineering company to produce equipment that it hopes
will never be put to the use for which it is intended, but that is the case with
the Portable Launch and Recovery System (PLARS), designed and built for
the NATO Submarine Rescue System (NSRS) by The Engineering Business
(EB).
F
rance, Norway, and the UK tasked with supplying the all-important subsequent mobilisation within 18 hours.
established a multi-national project Portable Launch and Recovery System Once operational it has to be able to launch
to develop a new submarine (PLARS), a key element of the NSRS, with and recover the rescue vehicle in extremely
rescue system capable of rapid worldwide exacting operational requirements which challenging sea conditions (in up to 5m
deployment in the highly unlikely event of demanded innovative approaches not only significant waves).
a submarine sinking. in the overall system, but also in the design ‘The PLARS has a number of key
Multi-national cooperation offers an of the many component parts. requirements that from an engineering
extremely cost and operationally effective The PLARS does exactly what the perspective are in opposition with one
way of meeting demanding requirements, name implies – it is a portable system that another – for example it needs to be light
and Rolls-Royce was contracted to provide allows the safe launch and recovery of a enough for air transport whilst strong enough
the NATO Submarine Rescue System submarine rescue vehicle from a suitable to withstand the forces imposed when a
(NSRS) to these participating nations. support vessel. The system is designed 30tonne payload is recovered in extreme sea
EB was part of the Rolls-Royce team, for rapid shipment by road and air and conditions,’ said Dr Tony Trapp, managing
The PLARS is seen
here fitted to the
Norwegian vessel
Harstad, handling
the NSRS SRV.
26 Warship Technology March 2008
WT Mar - p26+
27.indd 26 03/03/2008 15:56:58
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