Newsletter navale

Navy Recognition learned from two separate sources who wished to remain anonymous that French defense companies Sagem and Thales would have been selected to provide sensor systems for South Korea’s Jangbogo III heavy diesel-electric submarine programme (KSS-III).

Sagem will likely deliver its latest periscope system: the Series 30 Attack and Search Optronic Mast. According to Sagem, it is the most modern and complete optronic surveillance mast on the market. Its four simultaneously operational sensors, image processing and operating modes make it perfect for advanced detection of airborne or surface threats. It can equip both classic and nuclear submarines, whether new or retrofit units.
The Series 30 SMS is a non-penetrating mast designed for above-surface surveillance: navigation safety, surveillance, intelligence collection and self-protection combining electronic and optronic warfare. Compatible with a full range of electromagnetic antenna (GPS, ESM, early warning and communication), it includes a high-definition thermal imager as well as a high-definition camera, and can simultaneously accommodate a low-light level, anti-blooming camera and a laser range finder.
Its four optronic sensors, which can be used simultaneously to obtain panoramic scene captures in record time, are the fastest on the market. Known as the “Quick Look Round” feature, it enables panoramic or segment displays in separate, full resolution or compressed windows. This mode is available in addition to the conventional, live display of the different video channels.

Details on the type (or types) of sonar to be provided by the underwater division of Thales (TUS) are confidential but Navy Recognition guess it is highly likely that KSS-III will at least be fitted with the Planar Flank Array Sonar (PFAS) passive long range sonar.
TUS PFAS enables full use of the large available space on the flanks of the submarine to install acoustic arrays of maximum aperture (length x height). The use of Adaptive Beamforming provides a very efficient rejection of the own ship noise and flow noise, which increases detection and classification performances even at high operational speed. Excellent bearing resolution/discrimination also enable increased Target Motion Analysis performance. A particular highlight of the TUS PFAS is its very reduced baffle which contributes to a large bearing coverage. Flank arrays feature no maneuverability constraints as compared to Clip-On Towed Arrays.

Both the new generation optronic masts and flank array sonars will give the new boats of the ROKN an important operational advantage in threats detection, identification and tracking. Same technology has already been selected by the French Navy for the future class of Barracuda nuclear-powered submarines. KSS-III is a conventional submarine project (SSK).

The original design of the submarine includes 6 VLS (vertical launch system) tubes. They would accomodate a future cruise missile in development by LIG Nex1 while the launchers would be provided by Doosan. It was announced earlier this year that Spanish company INDRA was selected to provide its electronic defense system (ESM) PEGASO and Babcock of the UK would design and manufacture the Weapon Handling System for the submarines.

Under the Jangbogo III programme boat one is due to be handed over to the Republic of Korea Navy at the end of 2020, and boat two at the end of 2022.

SEOUL, Sep. 30 (Korea Bizwire) — It is likely the next-generation submarine for the Republic of Korea Navy will be Jangbogo III (Batch I) based on homegrown technology.

The Defense Acquisition Program Administration said on September 29 that Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, the shipbuilder to assemble two 3,000-ton class conventional submarines, has sufficient capabilities to build such ships in a critical design review sessions held for five days between September 25 and 29 with 150 experts from the navy, industry, and academia.

The 3,000-ton Jangbogo III is Korea’s first submarine built with proprietary technology. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration had signed a design and assembly agreement with Daewoo Shipbuilding on December 24, 2012. Currently the detailed design stage is under way.

In the latest meeting, experts discussed in-depth reviews on five areas including operational performance, special performance, test evaluation, and the like and concluded that the design blueprint of the Jangbogo III has reached a completion stage.

Shin Jeong-ho, brigadier general and the head of DAPA’s naval shipbuilding unit, said, “The Jangbogo III will be Korea’s first ship applied with systems engineering. The recent critical design review session proved that Korea has enough submarine building capacity comparable to that of major industrialized countries in the world.”