Brazil launches construction of four Scorpene-class submarines RIA Novosti, PUBLISHED July 17, 2011 The construction of four Scorpene-class attack submarines for the Brazilian Navy was launched on Saturday at a plant near Rio de Janeiro. Brazil and France signed a $4.25-billion contract on the construction of the four enlarged S-BR diesel-electric submarines, jointly designed by France and Spain, in 2008. The first submarine is expected to enter service in 2017. Scorpene-class submarines are equipped with six 533-mm torpedo tubes for 18 torpedoes or SM.39 Exocet anti-ship missiles, or 30 mines in place of torpedoes. Unlike other modifications of the Scorpene-class submarine, the S-BR submarine is not equipped with an air-independent propulsion (AIP) system which allows a submarine to operate without the need to surface or use a snorkel to access atmospheric oxygen. Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff, who was present at Saturday's ceremony, said the construction of the submarines was an important step that would help the Brazilian Navy reach a new level of technological development. Brazil and France have also signed an agreement to develop a French/Brazilian nuclear powered submarine. In line with the deal, Brazil's first nuclear submarine is scheduled to enter service in 2023. Topics: Brazil Other news: U.S. lifts market restrictions against Rosatom Rosatom will no longer be required to get a special license from the U.S. Department of Commerce to cooperate with American companies. New chemical elements synthesized by Russian team recognized Element 114 was first synthesized in December 1998 by bombarding plutonium nuclei with calcium nuclei, which have 94 and 20 protons respectively. Russia lacks personnel to dismantle nuclear sites Russia is to decommission and dismantle 42 nuclear facilities by 2015 and 188 by 2020, Rosatom department head Yevgeny Komarov said. |
Hero of the day Georgy Toshinsky: Booming as a Driving Force to Trade (Reactors?) Not quite so. The authors of the concept, which was difficult to be realized in practice, turned to a clearer concept of a standing wave reactor (TP-1) that in principle allows finding the solution to the tasks stated for TWRs. INTERVIEW
Alexander Chistozvonov OPINION
Dmitry Kosyrev |