Oct 14 2008
Siemens has received an order to equip four German navy Class F125 frigates with propulsion equipment and integrated automation and control systems. The customer is a joinder of the shipyard companies Krupp Marine Systems AG and Fr. Lürssen Werft GmbH & Co. KG (ARGE F125). The order is worth just under 50 million euros. Delivery of the first frigate is scheduled for 2014 and the fourth ship for 2017.
The F125 is the first German navy frigate to be fitted with a new CODLAG (Combined Diesel Electric and Gas-turbine) electric propulsion system. The advantages of the gas turbine drive, which is designed for high speed, are combined with the benefits of the electrical propulsion unit, which is designed for cruising speed with low noise signatures and high efficiency. The ship's crew consists of up to 120 people. “The ships are designed in such a way that they can be deployed for up to two years without having to return to port”, explained Heinz Waschin, who is responsible for navy business at Siemens Marine Solutions. “The new frigates of the German navy are therefore admirably suited to meet the requirements for vessels deployed on peace-keeping duties”. Technical requirements are high: “The ships' deployment, which can last up to two years, necessitates intensive use of all the equipment and systems on board”, emphasized Waschin.
Besides the system engineering and project management, Siemens' scope of supply for each ship includes the electrical propulsion system, consisting of two electric motors (approx. 4.5 MW each) with the associated converters, the electronic control unit and the medium-voltage switchgear. For control and monitoring purposes, an integrated control and automation system for on-board ship equipment (ILASST) will be installed, including a battle damage control system (BDCS) and an on-board training system (OBTS). The complementary solutions of the Sinavy product family from Siemens can be integrated without any interface problems and meet the high requirements placed on surface navy vessels as regards reliability, availability and stability. Even after delivery, Siemens will be able to provide comprehensive support for the frigates as part of its life-cycle management program.