Luca Bonsignore
Managing Director
defence.professionals (defpro.com) GmbH
Oceaneering International joins industrial team for US Navy SSC programme
The Italian-US competitor for the US Navy’s future hovercraft platform added a new team-mate to its industrial team. Marinette Marine Corporation (MMC), the US subsidiary of Italy’s Fincantieri shipyard, and Boeing announced Friday that they are extending their partnership with the inclusion of Oceaneering International Inc. as part of its bid for the US Navy’s Ship-to-Shore Connector (SSC) programme. The SSC programme, worth some $4 billion, consists of up to 80 new hovercraft vessels which are intended to replace the Navy’s Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC), which has been in service since 1984 and is reaching the end of its service life.
Marinette Marine will be the prime contractor for the team and assume responsibility for the hulls, while Boeing will deliver the propulsion systems and communication and control systems for the vessels. “Oceaneering International, will bring its consolidated experience in the maintenance and assistance of vessels,” a Fincantieri spokesman said during the Navy League Sea-Air-Space Exposition in Washington.
Fincantieri in the US
“Fincantieri’s decision to purchase shipyards in the USA has turned out to be a successful strategy as it enables us to bid for tenders of enormous scope and value - unrivalled in the world – which, under US law, must be executed in loco,” Giuseppe Bono, Chief Executive Officer of Fincantieri said. Marinette Marine is engaged in various government and commercial projects such as the USS Freedom (LCS-1) in the Lockheed Martin-led team, which was delivered to the US Navy in September 2008.
Last year, Fincantieri began a multi-million dollar, five-year modernisation programme of its US shipyards. The programme seeks to transform Marinette Marine into the premier mid-tier shipyard in the United States and includes installing new cranes and CNC-controlled pipe bending machines, as well as the enlargement of its major construction bays.
Bono added that the Italian company would additionally expand its production capacities in the US and improve infrastructure and processes.
The SSC programme
Announced in 2007, the SSC is intended to be the Navy’s primary over-the-horizon, ship-to-objective amphibious lift capability. Constructed as a hybrid platform, the craft will transport vehicles, cargo, and personnel from ship-to-shore and/or seabase-to-shore. According to the Navy’s requirements, the SSC will have the ability to move across beaches at speeds of about 40 knots, also operating in ice, mud, and marsh areas. Beyond that, the vessels will have the ability to transport heavy cargo loads of approximately 73-75 short tons for military and humanitarian operations.
A contract award for the 10-year programme is expected to be placed by the US Navy in fiscal year 2011 with first deliveries beginning in 2015.
The Industrial Competitors
The Marinette Marine/Boeing SSC solution is expected to be built on an aluminium alloy platform with an overall length of 28m (92ft) and be powered by 4 gas turbines with a post-swirl propulsion type on two lift fans generating over 17,000kW (22,800hp) at a sustained speed of over 35 knots. Further, HF/VHF/UHF Radios, AADS Hardware, GPS/INS System Hardware, and Condition Based Maintenance (CBM) Software will be integrated into the crafts.
In October 2009, Textron Marine & Land Systems – the builder of the LCAC – and L-3 Communications announced they are also teaming up for the Ship-To-Shore Connector contract. Textron is the prime contractor and shipbuilder of this team, while L-3 Communications is expected to design and integrate various craft modules, as well as provide integrated lifecycle support and logistics.
No comments:
Post a Comment