AUKUS

Joined: Jun 2001
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
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From: South Pole
I think that the SSN(R) is shaping up to be a very good submarine for the RAN with all the capabilities that are being sought. The only problem is that it will result in a further delay before entry into service.
If the British are really keen to have the RAN choose the SSN(R) to have a significantly larger fleet to share the development costs, they may elect to accelerate the design process.
As HMS Astute’s reactor only has 25 years of fuel, the RN also has a pressing need to develop the replacement class as quickly as their design capabilities allow.
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news...launch-system/
If the British are really keen to have the RAN choose the SSN(R) to have a significantly larger fleet to share the development costs, they may elect to accelerate the design process.
As HMS Astute’s reactor only has 25 years of fuel, the RN also has a pressing need to develop the replacement class as quickly as their design capabilities allow.
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news...launch-system/

Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,618
Likes: 205
From: aus
I have been hearing from around that pwr2 core h can be refueled if needed. They need to refuel has been removed but the capability to refuel if required remains. It takes 3 years to refuel a Core H, so astute will need to be refueled around 2035, add 3 years refueling

Joined: Jun 2001
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
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From: South Pole
I’m aware that the PWR2 Core H can be refuelled but at significant expense & time. As stated in the attached article “In December 2015, HMS Vanguard entered a ‘Long Overhaul Period and Refuel’, which was expected to take about 3 years and cost around £200m. It took almost seven years.” This was the first (&, at this stage, only) PWR2 Core H refuel.
Obviously, most people would prefer that the money was invested in a newer, more capable submarine rather than paying a premium to keep old submarines in service. If it’s at all possible, it makes sense to expedite the design of the SSN(R) - especially if it enables an ally to increase the fleet numbers by 8+.
HMS Vanguard refuel
Obviously, most people would prefer that the money was invested in a newer, more capable submarine rather than paying a premium to keep old submarines in service. If it’s at all possible, it makes sense to expedite the design of the SSN(R) - especially if it enables an ally to increase the fleet numbers by 8+.
HMS Vanguard refuel

Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,618
Likes: 205
From: aus
Austal USA, whose parent company Austal is Australian, has gotten a contract to make modules for both the Virginia and Columbia class submarines
https://www.naval-technology.com/new...ia-submarines/
Also AFR has an article on the program
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal...0230118-p5cdgu
https://www.naval-technology.com/new...ia-submarines/
Also AFR has an article on the program
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal...0230118-p5cdgu
Thread Starter
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...

Joined: Jul 2000
Aviation Qualifications: Spotter
Posts: 24,645
Likes: 7,343
From: Peripatetic
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/a...rent-l7kfxdx7n
Australia to buy deep sea mines as China deterrent
Australia is to lace its coast with powerful sea mines to deter China and other potential attackers from sending warships and submarines into the nation’s waters.
Today the government confirmed what will be the nation’s first major investment in the underwater explosives since the Vietnam War era.
“Australia is accelerating the acquisition of smart sea mines, which will help to secure sea lines of communication and protect Australia’s maritime approaches,” a defence department spokesman said. “A modern sea mining capability is a significant deterrent to potential aggressors.”
The plan to mine key strategic choke points, such as straits and harbours, in order to cripple approaching enemy warships and submarines was first revealed by The Sydney Morning Herald on Monday morning.
It is expected that Australia will obtain up to 1,000 of the so-called smart sea mines which are designed to differentiate between military targets and other types of ships.….
The government is expected to unveil in March what it has described as the “optimal pathway” for Australia to acquire at least eight nuclear-powered submarines with support from the US and UK under the AUKUS defence pact.
The Australian Financial Review reported that three nuclear submarine builders — Electric Boat and Huntington Ingalls Industries in the US, and BAE Systems in the UK — have agreed to take up to 250 Australian workers at each of their shipyards, to be trained in nuclear-powered submarine construction.
Australia to buy deep sea mines as China deterrent
Australia is to lace its coast with powerful sea mines to deter China and other potential attackers from sending warships and submarines into the nation’s waters.
Today the government confirmed what will be the nation’s first major investment in the underwater explosives since the Vietnam War era.
“Australia is accelerating the acquisition of smart sea mines, which will help to secure sea lines of communication and protect Australia’s maritime approaches,” a defence department spokesman said. “A modern sea mining capability is a significant deterrent to potential aggressors.”
The plan to mine key strategic choke points, such as straits and harbours, in order to cripple approaching enemy warships and submarines was first revealed by The Sydney Morning Herald on Monday morning.
It is expected that Australia will obtain up to 1,000 of the so-called smart sea mines which are designed to differentiate between military targets and other types of ships.….
The government is expected to unveil in March what it has described as the “optimal pathway” for Australia to acquire at least eight nuclear-powered submarines with support from the US and UK under the AUKUS defence pact.
The Australian Financial Review reported that three nuclear submarine builders — Electric Boat and Huntington Ingalls Industries in the US, and BAE Systems in the UK — have agreed to take up to 250 Australian workers at each of their shipyards, to be trained in nuclear-powered submarine construction.


Joined: Oct 2018
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From: Ferrara
"The plan to mine key strategic choke points, such as straits and harbours,"
Given the size of Australia and the surrounding Oceans I think 1000 isn't going to go very far
A classic "choke-point" would be the strait between Bali & Lombok - but it's over 22 km wide at the narrowest point ....................
Given the size of Australia and the surrounding Oceans I think 1000 isn't going to go very far
A classic "choke-point" would be the strait between Bali & Lombok - but it's over 22 km wide at the narrowest point ....................

Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 639
Likes: 102
From: australia
"The plan to mine key strategic choke points, such as straits and harbours,"
Given the size of Australia and the surrounding Oceans I think 1000 isn't going to go very far
A classic "choke-point" would be the strait between Bali & Lombok - but it's over 22 km wide at the narrowest point ....................
Given the size of Australia and the surrounding Oceans I think 1000 isn't going to go very far
A classic "choke-point" would be the strait between Bali & Lombok - but it's over 22 km wide at the narrowest point ....................



Joined: Apr 2001
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 4,921
Likes: 611
From: surfing, watching for sharks
"The plan to mine key strategic choke points, such as straits and harbours,"
Given the size of Australia and the surrounding Oceans I think 1000 isn't going to go very far
A classic "choke-point" would be the strait between Bali & Lombok - but it's over 22 km wide at the narrowest point ....................
Given the size of Australia and the surrounding Oceans I think 1000 isn't going to go very far
A classic "choke-point" would be the strait between Bali & Lombok - but it's over 22 km wide at the narrowest point ....................

Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 639
Likes: 102
From: australia
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/a...rent-l7kfxdx7n
Australia to buy deep sea mines as China deterrent
Australia is to lace its coast with powerful sea mines to deter China and other potential attackers from sending warships and submarines into the nation’s waters.
Today the government confirmed what will be the nation’s first major investment in the underwater explosives since the Vietnam War era.
“Australia is accelerating the acquisition of smart sea mines, which will help to secure sea lines of communication and protect Australia’s maritime approaches,” a defence department spokesman said. “A modern sea mining capability is a significant deterrent to potential aggressors.”
The plan to mine key strategic choke points, such as straits and harbours, in order to cripple approaching enemy warships and submarines was first revealed by The Sydney Morning Herald on Monday morning.
It is expected that Australia will obtain up to 1,000 of the so-called smart sea mines which are designed to differentiate between military targets and other types of ships.….
The government is expected to unveil in March what it has described as the “optimal pathway” for Australia to acquire at least eight nuclear-powered submarines with support from the US and UK under the AUKUS defence pact.
The Australian Financial Review reported that three nuclear submarine builders — Electric Boat and Huntington Ingalls Industries in the US, and BAE Systems in the UK — have agreed to take up to 250 Australian workers at each of their shipyards, to be trained in nuclear-powered submarine construction.
Australia to buy deep sea mines as China deterrent
Australia is to lace its coast with powerful sea mines to deter China and other potential attackers from sending warships and submarines into the nation’s waters.
Today the government confirmed what will be the nation’s first major investment in the underwater explosives since the Vietnam War era.
“Australia is accelerating the acquisition of smart sea mines, which will help to secure sea lines of communication and protect Australia’s maritime approaches,” a defence department spokesman said. “A modern sea mining capability is a significant deterrent to potential aggressors.”
The plan to mine key strategic choke points, such as straits and harbours, in order to cripple approaching enemy warships and submarines was first revealed by The Sydney Morning Herald on Monday morning.
It is expected that Australia will obtain up to 1,000 of the so-called smart sea mines which are designed to differentiate between military targets and other types of ships.….
The government is expected to unveil in March what it has described as the “optimal pathway” for Australia to acquire at least eight nuclear-powered submarines with support from the US and UK under the AUKUS defence pact.
The Australian Financial Review reported that three nuclear submarine builders — Electric Boat and Huntington Ingalls Industries in the US, and BAE Systems in the UK — have agreed to take up to 250 Australian workers at each of their shipyards, to be trained in nuclear-powered submarine construction.
Thread Starter
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...

Joined: Jul 2000
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From: Peripatetic
Also helps the companies who are struggling to find qualified skilled welders etc to work on their current build programmes. A win-win situation.


Joined: Oct 2018
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From: Ferrara
well if you're talking about strategic points in Australia all the cities are right on the coast (except Canberra) so the Chinese don't have a lot of choice. I suppose they could just invade NW Oz and keep all the iron ore..............


Joined: Oct 2018
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
Posts: 12,247
Likes: 1,658
From: Ferrara
"I think this is significant in the reskilling, to build locally."
That's a win -win situation - the US yards are short of people and the Australians need tarining - just as long as they decide to return home eventually
That's a win -win situation - the US yards are short of people and the Australians need tarining - just as long as they decide to return home eventually
Thread Starter
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...

Joined: Jul 2000
Aviation Qualifications: Spotter
Posts: 24,645
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From: Peripatetic
Barrow-in-Furness or Adelaide.
Tricky choice…..
Bigeest risk is how many other skilled workers they take with them when they go home.
Tricky choice…..
Bigeest risk is how many other skilled workers they take with them when they go home.

Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 216
Likes: 54
From: Somerset
If the three countries/ four builders can get their drumbeats synchronised well enough there might be flying welders to go with flying winemakers from dunnunder.
N

Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,618
Likes: 205
From: aus

Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,618
Likes: 205
From: aus
osbourne in adelaide. but due to the size of the SSN, they bought up the neighboring land and will be building a bigger one of the SSN, they have a facility for collins maintainence but a bigger facility will be needed, the plan was originally for the attack class to built there but now the SSN will be done there

Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 639
Likes: 102
From: australia
We built the Collins sub at Osbourne SA. As has been said there is an expansion. Our main issue as I see it was the brain drain. The original 'continuous build program' wasn't done. We stopped at 6 and the workforce dissipated.



