Rotinor Seabob BlackShadow 730 underwater tug: scooter for combat swimmers
Despite the active development of the defense industry, Russia still cannot fully supply its army with all the necessary products. Some types of products still have to buy abroad. At the same time, imported products are used in various fields, including as part of equipment and weapons of special units. Some details of cooperation between the Russian Ministry of Defense and foreign manufacturers of special systems became known not so long ago. It is argued that in one of the areas already existing cooperation will continue.
November 3 news agency RIA News published information announced by the management of the German company Rotinor. This company develops and produces movement systems for scuba divers. Such equipment is of interest for various structures, including special units of the armed forces. Among others, as it turned out, underwater scooters, towers, buys and the Russian army. Anthony Simmonds, the chief designer of Rotinor, told about such cooperation between a foreign enterprise and the Russian Ministry of Defense.
Scuba divers use the Seabob BlackShadow 730 machine. Photo Hisutton.com
Curious information was announced during the international exhibition Indo Defense 2016, held in Indonesian Jakarta. E. Simmonds said his company has been cooperating with the Russian military with 2013. Over the past three years, several contracts have been signed for the supply of equipment proposed for use by combat swimmers. The last contract at the moment was signed this year. In 2017, it is planned to conclude another agreement for the supply of certain equipment. The chief designer of underwater scooters did not disclose the details of the contracts, citing the delicacy of the topic.
At the same time, the designer mentioned a model of equipment supplied by the Russian military. Special units of the customer country receive underwater towing vehicle model Seabob BlackShadow 730 (SBS 730). Machines designed for towing two or four swimmers are manufactured and delivered to the customer. Other details of the agreements, such as the number and delivery time of equipment, are not yet subject to publication for obvious reasons. In addition, both parties to international treaties do not specify which units become the operators of the equipment received.
General view of the scooter SBS 730. Rotinor Company Photo / Rotinor.com
Rotinor is a renowned scuba tug manufacturer. It produces several models of such technology, differing in some design features and characteristics. In this case, all samples of scooters are based on the same ideas, as well as unified for some nodes and assemblies. The main developments and products underlying the company's products are patented, which gives the manufacturer certain advantages over its competitors.
The Seabob BlackShadow 730 project was created at the end of the last decade. In 2010, Rotinor introduced its new development for the first time. For more successful promotion in the market, full-fledged samples, layouts and promotional materials regularly appeared at various exhibitions of weapons and military equipment. The result of such advertising was the receipt of several orders for the supply of equipment to the armed forces of different countries. It is known about the purchase of such equipment by special units of the USA, Spain, Ireland and other countries. In addition, a significant number of submersibles in the appropriate configuration was purchased by various organizations or individuals.
The product Rotinor SBS 730 is a relatively large underwater vehicle, equipped with a set of various equipment for one purpose or another. The main task of the scooter is towing swimmers, allowing you to quickly get to the desired point. To do this, it is equipped with a jet propulsion of the original design and navigation tools. In the base configuration, the Seabob BlackShadow 730 is able to tow two divers. Declared the possibility of revision of those or other elements of the towing vehicle in accordance with the wishes of the customer. In particular, the device can use the navigation system of the desired type.
View from above. Rotinor Company Photo / Rotinor.com
SBS 730 has a streamlined body, which allows to reduce the resistance of the medium when driving at all acceptable speeds and depths. The nose of the body is made in the form of a unit of complex shape, formed by several curved planes. In this case, the lower part of the nose has a narrow area, which passes into the corresponding protrusion of the bottom. In the central part of the nose two recesses are provided for mounting the headlights. Another characteristic ledge is higher. A large nose cone occupies about a third of the total length of the apparatus.
Onboard nose cone units receive a cut-off back that is necessary for accommodating a swimmer driver. At the same time, the central part of the fairing retains its height, after which it smoothly passes into the unit, above which the diver should be placed. The aft of the hull has a cross section close to rectangular. On the stern wall there is a round jet prop nozzle. The Seabob BlackShadow 730 project provides for an unusual bottom construction. The narrowed part of the nose goes into a unit of rectangular cross section, passing under the center of the hull and serving as a keel. Under the place of the diver on the sides of the hull there are protruding entrances of the jet propulsion unit. To improve the basic parameters of the hull received side elongated elements connecting the wide bow with the stern. Near the entrance windows of the propeller they have holes of the required size.
The layout of the towing vehicle. Photo Copybook.com
The nasal and central parts of the hull are allocated for the placement of batteries, parts of control systems, navigation equipment, etc. It is noteworthy that the high requirements for the stroke range led to the use of a large battery compartment. The volume for their placement begins in the forward part of the hull and proceeds almost to the diver’s place. The narrow stern of the scooter accommodates the engine and jet propulsion devices.
All controls are placed on the outer surface of the case. To control the operation of the systems, it is proposed to use an instrument panel with indicators placed directly on the upper surface of the body. Next to it there is a small additional remote control. The main controls are the two handles, placed on the sides of the central unit, in the niches behind the fairing. These knobs also have a set of buttons. Some samples of the scooter are equipped with an additional transparent visor placed in front of the dashboard.
In the stern of the SBS 730 apparatus, an E-Jet propulsion unit is placed. This device is another version of the electric propulsion jet. In its design, some original ideas are applied, which allowed the company to obtain a patent for such an invention. The assembled E-Jet is a device consisting of two main parts. The nose compartment, made in the form of a cylinder with a head and tail fairing, is a casing of the traveling engine. A rotor placed inside the annular channel is attached to the tail fairing.
Use of the device by one swimmer. Photo Copybook.com
The propeller E-Jet assembled is placed in the longitudinal channel of the aft hull of the towing vehicle. It is proposed to take the surrounding water by means of side entrances, after which it enters a single pipe. The central part of the pipe has an enlarged section, which is associated with the propulsion arrangement and the location of the engine. Behind the engine cover, the channel narrows to the diameter of the rotor. To improve the flow parameters and obtain the maximum possible characteristics, there is another conical fairing behind the rotor, and the nozzle channel is made tapering.
Through control systems that control the parameters of its work, the engine is connected to a battery of lithium-ion batteries. The control system of the scooter-tow allows you to stepwise adjust the engine power. Maximum engine power is 7 HP and may change in increments of 10%. From the selected power of the electric motor depends on the speed of movement and energy consumption of batteries, affecting the range of navigation.
Scheme E-Jet propulsion from the patent for an invention. Figure Hisutton.com
The total length of the Rotinor Seabob BlackShadow 730 is 1,76 m, width - 0,47 m. The weight of the towing vehicle on the air - 110 kg. The maximum movement speed reaches the 6,2 node. Maximum cruising range is 11 nautical miles. The design of the product allows you to dive to a depth of 60 m. However, this requires the appropriate training of personnel. When the engine is running on 50% power, the scooter can work for 3 hours 15 minutes. Increasing power to 70% reduces the running time to 2 hours 10 minutes. After this time has elapsed, the batteries need recharging.
The SBS 730 submersible tugboat is operated by one person. While driving, he should hold onto the control handles, while his body is above the aft part of the hull, without interfering with the operation of the jet propulsion unit. At the same time, it provides good visibility of the dashboard and its indicators. It is also possible to use a scooter to tow two scuba divers. The second person in this case should hold on to the driver. Maneuvers should be carried out by changing the mutual position of the diver and tug. Such actions lead to a change in the direction of the thrust vector and the execution of the required maneuver.
The project proposed the use of a developed set of navigation tools. In accordance with the wishes of the customer, SBS 730 can be equipped with an electronic compass and satellite navigation tools. The type of satellite system used is determined by the buyer. In addition, an active hydroacoustic station with digital data processing can be mounted in the forward part of the hull. An additional means of simplifying navigation in the underwater position are the headlights. The proposed set of tools allows you to control the towing vehicle in various conditions, including when visibility is poor.
SBS 730 at AAD 2010 in South Africa Photos by Armyrecognition.com
In terms of general characteristics, the Seabob BlackShadow 730 scooter is a good representative of its class of equipment. At the same time, some advantages of such a development over peers are stated. The main advantages of the project are associated with the use of the original jet propulsion. The E-Jet product creates increased pressure behind the rotor, which allows more efficient use of engine power. In addition, the correct architecture of the engine allows to eliminate the formation of a bubble trace behind the nozzle. The absence of such unmasking features and physical fields makes it possible to ensure that the towing vehicle and its “passengers” are unobtrusive. Thus, combat swimmers have the opportunity to secretly move to the area of the task.
Underwater towing vehicle SBS 730 is positioned by the manufacturer as a development adapted for use by special units of the armed forces, while other products from Rotinor can be used by other operators. According to reports, to date, German-made scooters have already managed to interest potential customers and become the subject of several contracts for the supply of serial products. It is reliably known about the purchases of Seabob BlackShadow 730 devices by special operations of Ireland, Spain and the US Marine Corps. In addition, according to some sources, a total of about two dozen countries acquired such equipment.
A pair of swimmers with Rotinor tugboats. Photo Copybook.com
Some sources mention that Rotinor does not have a full-fledged and constantly operating mass production of underwater vehicles. The similar equipment is issued as a part of batches of a certain volume ordered by buyers. According to various sources, the cost of one unit is 60-80 thousand euros. If necessary, modifications to the design in accordance with the wishes of the customer cost may increase.
Thanks to the latest statements by the chief designer of underwater technology, it became known that among the customers of Rotinor products there are also Russian military. The first Russian-German contract for the supply of tugs, according to available data, appeared in 2013 year. Later several more similar agreements were signed. The next contract should appear next year. The details of the existing contracts, however, are not disclosed due to secrecy: the recipient of the new imported equipment is the structure, the characteristics of which should not be made public.
The cooperation of the Russian Ministry of Defense and the German commercial company is of some interest, but this is the reason for the emergence of certain questions concerning the reasons for the purchase of foreign products. Availability of orders for special equipment shows its necessity. At the same time, the domestic industry, as far as is known, is still unable to offer the military special-purpose underwater scooters with the required characteristics adapted for use by special forces. In this situation, the military department was forced to order the necessary products of foreign production.
Combat swimmers of the special operations forces of Spain and their tug. Photo Hisutton.com
However, according to some sources, the development of such equipment is already underway, but so far such a project is at the design stage. In September of this year, Andrey Kurnosov, deputy chief designer of the Malakhit for armament, said that at present the bureau's specialists are developing a promising scooter that can move in surface and submerged positions. However, it was noted that we are talking about the development of civilian use. Perhaps, in the future, new ideas and solutions will be used in the military sphere, but so far it is too early to talk about it.
As a result, the situation is ambiguous. The army, having resorted to the help of foreign experts, was able to obtain the required samples of equipment for combat swimmers. The existing task was successfully solved, and, as E. Simmonds' latest statements show, cooperation in this area will continue. At the same time, there is an unsatisfactory situation with our own developments of a similar class. As far as we know, domestic enterprises have not yet proposed to the Ministry of Defense projects of underwater scooter-towers suitable for use in special units.
It remains to hope that the existing needs of the armed forces will be drawn up in the form of technical specifications for the domestic industry, thanks to which new own projects of the required technology will appear. The army needs new equipment of various types, part of which is not yet produced in our country. In the existing realities, mastering the production of samples of completely new types and classes for our country is the most important matter and therefore should have an appropriate priority.
On the materials of the sites:
https://ria.ru/
https://rg.ru/
https://utro.ru/
http://rotinor.com/
http://hisutton.com/
http://armyrecognition.com/
http://copybook.com/
http://survitecgroup.com/
November 3 news agency RIA News published information announced by the management of the German company Rotinor. This company develops and produces movement systems for scuba divers. Such equipment is of interest for various structures, including special units of the armed forces. Among others, as it turned out, underwater scooters, towers, buys and the Russian army. Anthony Simmonds, the chief designer of Rotinor, told about such cooperation between a foreign enterprise and the Russian Ministry of Defense.
Scuba divers use the Seabob BlackShadow 730 machine. Photo Hisutton.com
Curious information was announced during the international exhibition Indo Defense 2016, held in Indonesian Jakarta. E. Simmonds said his company has been cooperating with the Russian military with 2013. Over the past three years, several contracts have been signed for the supply of equipment proposed for use by combat swimmers. The last contract at the moment was signed this year. In 2017, it is planned to conclude another agreement for the supply of certain equipment. The chief designer of underwater scooters did not disclose the details of the contracts, citing the delicacy of the topic.
At the same time, the designer mentioned a model of equipment supplied by the Russian military. Special units of the customer country receive underwater towing vehicle model Seabob BlackShadow 730 (SBS 730). Machines designed for towing two or four swimmers are manufactured and delivered to the customer. Other details of the agreements, such as the number and delivery time of equipment, are not yet subject to publication for obvious reasons. In addition, both parties to international treaties do not specify which units become the operators of the equipment received.
General view of the scooter SBS 730. Rotinor Company Photo / Rotinor.com
Rotinor is a renowned scuba tug manufacturer. It produces several models of such technology, differing in some design features and characteristics. In this case, all samples of scooters are based on the same ideas, as well as unified for some nodes and assemblies. The main developments and products underlying the company's products are patented, which gives the manufacturer certain advantages over its competitors.
The Seabob BlackShadow 730 project was created at the end of the last decade. In 2010, Rotinor introduced its new development for the first time. For more successful promotion in the market, full-fledged samples, layouts and promotional materials regularly appeared at various exhibitions of weapons and military equipment. The result of such advertising was the receipt of several orders for the supply of equipment to the armed forces of different countries. It is known about the purchase of such equipment by special units of the USA, Spain, Ireland and other countries. In addition, a significant number of submersibles in the appropriate configuration was purchased by various organizations or individuals.
The product Rotinor SBS 730 is a relatively large underwater vehicle, equipped with a set of various equipment for one purpose or another. The main task of the scooter is towing swimmers, allowing you to quickly get to the desired point. To do this, it is equipped with a jet propulsion of the original design and navigation tools. In the base configuration, the Seabob BlackShadow 730 is able to tow two divers. Declared the possibility of revision of those or other elements of the towing vehicle in accordance with the wishes of the customer. In particular, the device can use the navigation system of the desired type.
View from above. Rotinor Company Photo / Rotinor.com
SBS 730 has a streamlined body, which allows to reduce the resistance of the medium when driving at all acceptable speeds and depths. The nose of the body is made in the form of a unit of complex shape, formed by several curved planes. In this case, the lower part of the nose has a narrow area, which passes into the corresponding protrusion of the bottom. In the central part of the nose two recesses are provided for mounting the headlights. Another characteristic ledge is higher. A large nose cone occupies about a third of the total length of the apparatus.
Onboard nose cone units receive a cut-off back that is necessary for accommodating a swimmer driver. At the same time, the central part of the fairing retains its height, after which it smoothly passes into the unit, above which the diver should be placed. The aft of the hull has a cross section close to rectangular. On the stern wall there is a round jet prop nozzle. The Seabob BlackShadow 730 project provides for an unusual bottom construction. The narrowed part of the nose goes into a unit of rectangular cross section, passing under the center of the hull and serving as a keel. Under the place of the diver on the sides of the hull there are protruding entrances of the jet propulsion unit. To improve the basic parameters of the hull received side elongated elements connecting the wide bow with the stern. Near the entrance windows of the propeller they have holes of the required size.
The layout of the towing vehicle. Photo Copybook.com
The nasal and central parts of the hull are allocated for the placement of batteries, parts of control systems, navigation equipment, etc. It is noteworthy that the high requirements for the stroke range led to the use of a large battery compartment. The volume for their placement begins in the forward part of the hull and proceeds almost to the diver’s place. The narrow stern of the scooter accommodates the engine and jet propulsion devices.
All controls are placed on the outer surface of the case. To control the operation of the systems, it is proposed to use an instrument panel with indicators placed directly on the upper surface of the body. Next to it there is a small additional remote control. The main controls are the two handles, placed on the sides of the central unit, in the niches behind the fairing. These knobs also have a set of buttons. Some samples of the scooter are equipped with an additional transparent visor placed in front of the dashboard.
In the stern of the SBS 730 apparatus, an E-Jet propulsion unit is placed. This device is another version of the electric propulsion jet. In its design, some original ideas are applied, which allowed the company to obtain a patent for such an invention. The assembled E-Jet is a device consisting of two main parts. The nose compartment, made in the form of a cylinder with a head and tail fairing, is a casing of the traveling engine. A rotor placed inside the annular channel is attached to the tail fairing.
Use of the device by one swimmer. Photo Copybook.com
The propeller E-Jet assembled is placed in the longitudinal channel of the aft hull of the towing vehicle. It is proposed to take the surrounding water by means of side entrances, after which it enters a single pipe. The central part of the pipe has an enlarged section, which is associated with the propulsion arrangement and the location of the engine. Behind the engine cover, the channel narrows to the diameter of the rotor. To improve the flow parameters and obtain the maximum possible characteristics, there is another conical fairing behind the rotor, and the nozzle channel is made tapering.
Through control systems that control the parameters of its work, the engine is connected to a battery of lithium-ion batteries. The control system of the scooter-tow allows you to stepwise adjust the engine power. Maximum engine power is 7 HP and may change in increments of 10%. From the selected power of the electric motor depends on the speed of movement and energy consumption of batteries, affecting the range of navigation.
Scheme E-Jet propulsion from the patent for an invention. Figure Hisutton.com
The total length of the Rotinor Seabob BlackShadow 730 is 1,76 m, width - 0,47 m. The weight of the towing vehicle on the air - 110 kg. The maximum movement speed reaches the 6,2 node. Maximum cruising range is 11 nautical miles. The design of the product allows you to dive to a depth of 60 m. However, this requires the appropriate training of personnel. When the engine is running on 50% power, the scooter can work for 3 hours 15 minutes. Increasing power to 70% reduces the running time to 2 hours 10 minutes. After this time has elapsed, the batteries need recharging.
The SBS 730 submersible tugboat is operated by one person. While driving, he should hold onto the control handles, while his body is above the aft part of the hull, without interfering with the operation of the jet propulsion unit. At the same time, it provides good visibility of the dashboard and its indicators. It is also possible to use a scooter to tow two scuba divers. The second person in this case should hold on to the driver. Maneuvers should be carried out by changing the mutual position of the diver and tug. Such actions lead to a change in the direction of the thrust vector and the execution of the required maneuver.
The project proposed the use of a developed set of navigation tools. In accordance with the wishes of the customer, SBS 730 can be equipped with an electronic compass and satellite navigation tools. The type of satellite system used is determined by the buyer. In addition, an active hydroacoustic station with digital data processing can be mounted in the forward part of the hull. An additional means of simplifying navigation in the underwater position are the headlights. The proposed set of tools allows you to control the towing vehicle in various conditions, including when visibility is poor.
SBS 730 at AAD 2010 in South Africa Photos by Armyrecognition.com
In terms of general characteristics, the Seabob BlackShadow 730 scooter is a good representative of its class of equipment. At the same time, some advantages of such a development over peers are stated. The main advantages of the project are associated with the use of the original jet propulsion. The E-Jet product creates increased pressure behind the rotor, which allows more efficient use of engine power. In addition, the correct architecture of the engine allows to eliminate the formation of a bubble trace behind the nozzle. The absence of such unmasking features and physical fields makes it possible to ensure that the towing vehicle and its “passengers” are unobtrusive. Thus, combat swimmers have the opportunity to secretly move to the area of the task.
Underwater towing vehicle SBS 730 is positioned by the manufacturer as a development adapted for use by special units of the armed forces, while other products from Rotinor can be used by other operators. According to reports, to date, German-made scooters have already managed to interest potential customers and become the subject of several contracts for the supply of serial products. It is reliably known about the purchases of Seabob BlackShadow 730 devices by special operations of Ireland, Spain and the US Marine Corps. In addition, according to some sources, a total of about two dozen countries acquired such equipment.
A pair of swimmers with Rotinor tugboats. Photo Copybook.com
Some sources mention that Rotinor does not have a full-fledged and constantly operating mass production of underwater vehicles. The similar equipment is issued as a part of batches of a certain volume ordered by buyers. According to various sources, the cost of one unit is 60-80 thousand euros. If necessary, modifications to the design in accordance with the wishes of the customer cost may increase.
Thanks to the latest statements by the chief designer of underwater technology, it became known that among the customers of Rotinor products there are also Russian military. The first Russian-German contract for the supply of tugs, according to available data, appeared in 2013 year. Later several more similar agreements were signed. The next contract should appear next year. The details of the existing contracts, however, are not disclosed due to secrecy: the recipient of the new imported equipment is the structure, the characteristics of which should not be made public.
The cooperation of the Russian Ministry of Defense and the German commercial company is of some interest, but this is the reason for the emergence of certain questions concerning the reasons for the purchase of foreign products. Availability of orders for special equipment shows its necessity. At the same time, the domestic industry, as far as is known, is still unable to offer the military special-purpose underwater scooters with the required characteristics adapted for use by special forces. In this situation, the military department was forced to order the necessary products of foreign production.
Combat swimmers of the special operations forces of Spain and their tug. Photo Hisutton.com
However, according to some sources, the development of such equipment is already underway, but so far such a project is at the design stage. In September of this year, Andrey Kurnosov, deputy chief designer of the Malakhit for armament, said that at present the bureau's specialists are developing a promising scooter that can move in surface and submerged positions. However, it was noted that we are talking about the development of civilian use. Perhaps, in the future, new ideas and solutions will be used in the military sphere, but so far it is too early to talk about it.
As a result, the situation is ambiguous. The army, having resorted to the help of foreign experts, was able to obtain the required samples of equipment for combat swimmers. The existing task was successfully solved, and, as E. Simmonds' latest statements show, cooperation in this area will continue. At the same time, there is an unsatisfactory situation with our own developments of a similar class. As far as we know, domestic enterprises have not yet proposed to the Ministry of Defense projects of underwater scooter-towers suitable for use in special units.
It remains to hope that the existing needs of the armed forces will be drawn up in the form of technical specifications for the domestic industry, thanks to which new own projects of the required technology will appear. The army needs new equipment of various types, part of which is not yet produced in our country. In the existing realities, mastering the production of samples of completely new types and classes for our country is the most important matter and therefore should have an appropriate priority.
On the materials of the sites:
https://ria.ru/
https://rg.ru/
https://utro.ru/
http://rotinor.com/
http://hisutton.com/
http://armyrecognition.com/
http://copybook.com/
http://survitecgroup.com/
Information