Siemens awarded €55m

The

(I&S) is equipping two new U 212A submarines with the latest propulsion and control system for the

.

Handover of the two submarines to the German Navy is scheduled for 2012 and 2013.

The submarines are being built by Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft (HDW) in Kiel and by Nordseewerken in Emden. Both shipyards belong to ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems.

The €55m order for Siemens includes a Permasyn Motor (permanently excited synchronous propulsion motor), PEM (Polymer Electrolyte Membrane) Fuel Cells as the main part of the air independent power supply, DC- switchgears and the platform management system.

According to Siemens, the electrical drives with the Permasyn Motor for direct-current supply are characterised by their extremely low signature, high availability, compact design and ease of operator control.

A PEM fuel cell system is responsible for supplying power, enabling air-independent propulsion (AIP) when the submarines are submerged. The AIP system, which is being supplied by HDW, will incorporate Siemens fuel-cell modules as well as control and monitoring devices.

The integrated platform management system will control, monitor and coordinate all the equipment and systems. Operator control and visualisation will be centralised at the engineering control console, relieving the operator from having to perform routine tasks. The scope of supply also includes DC- switchgears specific to submarines and documentation in electronic form.