Feature 6 | SUBMARINES
Vidar concept study explores a high
spec non-nuclear sub
BMT Defence Services has unveiled a concept for a high capability ocean-
going non-nuclear submarine largely based on proven military- and
commercial-off -the-shelf technologies known as Vidar.
MT Defence Services has unveiled characteristics required of a high
a concept for a high capability capability non-nuclear submarine. The
Bocean-going non-nuclear design is intended to offer balanced
submarine largely based on proven performance through the synthesis of
military-and commercial-off-the- proven technologies, modularity and
shelf technologies. open architectures to deliver a submarine
Known as Vidar-36 (Vidar being the that is available, adaptable and aff ordable,
Norse god of silence and vengeance) a but also highly capable.
concept that has been developed as an Th e upper and lower boundaries of the
InSpira research and development project Vidar ‘trade space’ were established to set
to meet perceived requirements for a long parameters for threshold and objective
range, high endurance multi-mission performance characteristics. The Vidar concept grew out of market
submarine, operating in both oceanic BMT subsequently investigated six research and technology audits
and coastal waters, affording land diff erent confi gurations and arrangements addressing the capabilities required of
attack, anti-surface, anti-submarine and using their in-house design toolsets. Th ese a capable and fl exible conventional
special operations capabilities. InSpira comprised both single-hull and double- submarine
is a multidisciplinary in-house resource, hull concepts in baseline capability,
mobilised periodically by BMT to research advanced capability and traded capability
innovative future design concepts. variants. Diff erentiators included range maximum operating depth of over 200m;
According to BMT naval architect and endurance, air independent propulsion six 533mm torpedo tubes and space and
Simon Binns, who has led the Vidar (AIP), performance and combat system delivery systems for a total of 18 torpedoes
project team, Vidar-36 came from market confi guration (including weapon outload, and missiles, or up to 36 mines; an integrated
research and technology audits addressing sonar fi t and mast arrangements), which sonar suite (baselined on the Th ales S-Cube
the capabilities required of a capable and in turn drive differentials in pressure product) including passive cylindrical,
fl exible conventional submarine aff ording hull diameter, overall length, submerged fl ank and intercept arrays, and an active
mission versatility, long reach and displacement and complement. mine and obstacle avoidance sonar; satellite
extended persistence. According to Binns, the traded single- communications; radar; electronic warfare
Speaking at the annual RINA hull option was selected from the six, using support measures; and lock-in/lock-out
Warship 2008 conference in Glasgow, a weighted scoring system, for further chambers for fi ve and 10 divers.
he said: ‘Vidar-36 is a large and capable development. ‘Key discriminators included A modular external payload space has
conventional submarine design off ering scores within the trade space upper and been incorporated aft of the bridge fi n,
multiple mission capabilities in an lower bounds, littoral compatibility, and close to the centre of gravity, in order to
oceangoing platform. From the start, we cost’ he explained, adding: ‘While the high enable the platform to carry a series of
have strived to achieve flexibility and capability options scored well in terms of payloads. Th is also permits a reduction
adaptability in the design. For example performance and payload capacity, they in submerged displacement. ‘Modules
modular spaces onboard include a payload scored poorly due to increased size and cost. are proposed with standard physical,
bay, mast bays and a weapons stowage Th e double hull options off ered extended power, air and hydraulics interfaces,’ said
compartment. But at the same time we range and offb oard systems options, but Binns, adding: ‘Th e bay itself can receive
have strived to adopt relatively mature were also penalised for increases in overall payloads up to a length of 7.5m; a width
technologies with a Technology Readiness size and cost.’ of 2.7m; a height [to casing] of 1.3m; and
Level [TRL] of no less than TRL 6-7.’ Th e Vidar-36 design has a overall length a maximum weight of 20tonnes.’
Vidar-36 has been conceived by of 79m and a submerged displacement of Module options available include
BMT as the result of market research 3600tonnes. Other features include: a long extended-range capabilities, a dry/wet
examining the performance and payload range of 9000 nautical miles (snorting); a deck hangar, reelable high-frequency
32 Warship Technology July/August 2008
WWTJul-Aug08_p32+34+35+36+37+38.indd Sec1:32TJul-Aug08_p32+34+35+36+37+38.indd Sec1:32 77/22/08 7:37:54 PM/22/08 7:37:54 PM
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