Specialists at the Afrikantov Experimental Design Bureau of Mechanical Engineering (OKBM Afrikantov – part of Rosatom’s Mechanical Engineering Division) have completed work on an on-board simulator for the operational personnel of the Project 10510 lead nuclear icebreaker Rossiya. The vessel is powered by RITM-400 reactor units.
The new software and hardware complex is designed to develop skills in controlling RITM-400 nuclear plants even before the vessel is put into operation and will help maintain the qualifications of operational personnel for the reliable operation of the nuclear-powered ship to ensure safe navigation on the Northern Sea Route.
The on-board simulator is based on a mathematical model that reflects in real time the physics of the processes occurring in the reactor installation. This makes it possible to completely recreate various scenarios for the operation of the key power equipment from normal mode to options with failure of the main or auxiliary equipment.
Rosatom’s main asset in the Arctic are not so much icebreakers as the people who operate them,” said Igor Zotov, Deputy Head of the Department for the Creation of Mathematical Models and Simulators for Nuclear Power Plants at OKBM Afrikantov. “The on-board simulator is a preparation tool that reproduces the entire volume of information related to the operation of components and instruments of the central control panel and simulates the operation of all systems as part of the nuclear power plant. It is this approach, based on the deep integration of nuclear and digital competencies, that forms the basis for the safe and sustainable development of shipping in high latitudes.”
Extensive supercomputing and mathematical modelling was used, at OKBM Afrikantov to create digital twins of nuclear power plants. Currently, the on-board simulator for Rossiya is mounted on the OKBM Afrikantov site and has been tested. At least 200 people are expected to be trained there.
The RITM-400 reactor plant was developed for use as the primary energy source for the 10510 next generation nuclear icebreakers. This is an evolutionary development from the RITM-200 with an increase in thermal power to 315 MWt. Two RITM-400 reactor units for Rossiya were manufactured by Rosatom in 2025. The ship itself continues to be built in the Far East. After its commissioning, it will become the most powerful icebreaker in the world and will give a powerful impetus to the development of the Arctic and the eastern sector of the Northern Sea Route.
