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Sonar development has moved on at considerable pace and comprises more highly technical equipment, external to the hull, which requires cables and connectors that feed through the hull to the heart and operations of the boat. An example is periscopes, which are referred to as masts, which penetrated the hull of the submarine. Watch the old black and white war movies ? when the Commander shouts ?Up periscope!? and half of the Atlantic comes rushing in! Now, with advanced technology, the mast is external to the hull and all of the data and communications are fed via cables and connectors using ber optics, which is Hydro Group?s area of expertise. To- day, mine counter measures, (MCMs) towed arrays, active and passive sonars and anti-surface ship missiles are necessary re- quirements of the new construction for modernization of cur- rent submarines in service, such as the UK?s Astute eet.The Astute Class Submarine is currently the most advanced and powerful attack submarine ever operated by the Royal Navy at over 7500 tonnes submerged, capable of speeds more than 30 knots, powered by Rolls Royce PWR2 reactors. The duration range for deployment is only limited by the amount of food on board so it can stay at sea for months at a time. It is armed with land attack missiles and Spear sh torpedoes. Its sonar system 2076 is the world?s most advanced and is tted with Hydro Group?s cables and connectors. Bearing in mind the cost of the nuclear defense program, controversial as it is, the construction of a nuclear submarine is in the billions and the support services and duties around the world is in the millions. Submarines are continually being built to larger speci cations (tonnage) and this is true for all counties around the globe which build them. So, it?s essential that the equipment installed is designed, tested, and quali ed to last its lifetime to ensure the boat?s security and the men who work on it. Hydro Group is involved in subsea engineering in the oil & gas and renewable energy industries and provides similar solutions and designed products which have synergy with those we produce for the defense industry. Our innovation is focused on the longevity of product where the installation has a life cycle requirement of 40 years. Evolving technology and dynamic mission pro les have Doug Whyte, Hydro Group Plc Managing Director www.marinetechnologynews.com Marine Technology Reporter 27MTR #8 (18-33).indd 27MTR #8 (18-33).indd 2710/10/2014 1:51:58 PM10/10/2014 1:51:58 PM
