A block-modular method of construction introduced at Russia’s Sevmash Design Bureau, will shorten the building berth period for nuclear submarines by 18 months, Sevmash said.
The use of the new technology for creating nuclear submarines will also improve the quality of work and reduce labour intensity through the assembly of submarine hulls from pre-constructed large block modules.
The concept was developed by Sevmash specialists under the leadership of General Director Mikhail Budnichenko together with the Malachite Central Design Bureau and the Rubin Design Bureau, as well as the Centre for Shipbuilding and Ship Repair Technologies.
To implement the project, it will be necessary to develop new schemes for equipment production, create new capacities and modernise existing ones. In particular, it will be necessary to build a new aggregation shop, an additional span of the hull-welding production, replace the cranes in boathouse No 2, and modernise the transport and transmission complex.
Alexander Spiridonov, chief technical manager for special projects and armament at Sevmash said: “Among the tasks are also the introduction of advanced computer-aided design systems based on digital models, new methods of non-destructive testing, technologies for manufacturing ship structures in ‘exact geometry’, changing the procedure for hydraulic testing of the main hull of the submarine – transferring tests from the slipway to a specialised section, as well as organising parallel manufacturing of technological modules for nuclear submarines and functional modules, complete with equipment, systems and cable routes.”
A number of these tasks are already being solved within the framework of the existing federal target programmes and the programme for organisational and technical development of Sevmash. For other activities, additional sources of funding will be required.
Photo: Sevmash is introducing a modular construction method for nuclear submarines