"Leader" for the Northern Sea Route. What is interesting about the new icebreaker?
Atomic "Leader" at work. Graphics by the State Atomic Energy Agency Rosatom / rosatom.ru
On January 15, the government adopted a decree on the construction of the lead atomic icebreaker, project 10510 Leader. The project is already ready, and this year construction financing is opening. In a few years, the ship will go into operation and give our economy new opportunities in the Arctic. All these results will be obtained through the use of modern technologies and promising solutions.
Participants and Dates
The design of the promising atomic icebreaker, Project 10510 / Lider / LK-120Ya, was launched several years ago and was carried out by several organizations. The lead developer was Iceberg Central Design Bureau. OKBM them. I.I. Afrikantov was responsible for the development of a nuclear power plant. The Krylov State Scientific Center took over part of the research and design work. These organizations are not the first to unite to create a new vessel, but this time they had to develop a particularly large-scale project.
To date, almost all major work has been completed. For several years, various tests and design have been carried out. For example, since 2017, the KSCC has repeatedly tested the model of the icebreaker hull with imitation of various conditions and different thicknesses of ice. Pilot products successfully coped with the task and carried out tanker models.
In accordance with Government Decision No. 11 of January 15, 2020, the State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom was appointed the state customer for the new construction. FSUE Atomflot, responsible for the operation of all of Russia, has been appointed the developer fleet nuclear icebreakers. The ship was laid at the Zvezda shipbuilding complex in Big Stone.
Power plant architecture. Graphics by the State Atomic Energy Agency Rosatom / rosatom.ru
Budget investments in the construction of the leading Leader will begin this year. The funding schedule is planned for 2020-27. Accordingly, the deadline for the delivery of the vessel was 2027. The total amount of expenses for the icebreaker is 127 577 million rubles.
Technical features
The Leader’s task will be year-round work on the Northern Sea Route with the goal of ensuring navigation and escort of military, commercial or scientific vessels. A number of characteristic technical requirements are associated with this, the implementation of which is associated with the use of modern and promising technologies.
In accordance with the statement of work, icebreaker Ave. 10510 must overcome ice with a minimum speed of at least 4 m with constant movement at a minimum speed. For ice 2 m thick, the constant speed is set at 12 knots. The need for large-tonnage vessels led to high requirements for the width of the hull. It was also required to ensure high autonomy in reserves and a life of 40 years.
According to the project, the new nuclear icebreaker should have a length of 209 m with a maximum width of approx. 48 m. Total displacement - more than 71 thousand tons. Like other vessels of its class, the Leader receives a characteristic high superstructure. The bow deck is closed. A helipad is organized at the stern; there are places for the installation of special equipment or weapons.
In the ice. Graphics by the State Atomic Energy Agency Rosatom / rosatom.ru
The power plant for project 10510 is built on the basis of two water-cooled reactors RITM-400 with a thermal capacity of 315 MW each. The new type of reactor was created on the basis of the RITM-200 product for icebreakers of the LK-60YA type. With maximum unification with its predecessor, the RITM-400 has twice as much power. Resource - 40 years, if necessary, replace the fuel in 5-7 years.
Electric power from the nuclear power plant will be supplied to four engines, driving four constant-pitch propellers. The total power on the shafts is 120 MW. The vessel will be able to reach a maximum speed of 22-24 knots (in clean water); the laying of channels will be carried out at lower speeds. Cruising range - almost unlimited.
The ship will receive a complex of modern electronic equipment providing efficient navigation in all latitudes and in various conditions. Also, means of monitoring the situation, communications, etc. will be used.
In the aft part of the hull there are places for cargo or special equipment. For work with cargoes “Leader” will receive two cranes. Due to the payload in the aft compartment, the icebreaker will be able to solve research, rescue or other tasks. Also, the possibility of installing weapons is not ruled out - in the presence of appropriate threats.
Tests of the icebreaker model, 2017. Photo by OSK JSC / aoosk.ru
The ship will be managed by a crew of 130 people. If necessary, the icebreaker will be able to take on board a research team or other passengers. The autonomy for provisions was set at 8 months. Like other domestic nuclear icebreakers, the new Leader will be distinguished by improved living conditions for the crew and passengers.
Project 10510 / LK-120Ya provides for the construction of the largest and heaviest nuclear icebreaker in domestic and world practice. Such a vessel will be significantly larger and several times heavier than other modern icebreakers, which will provide advantages in basic characteristics. In fact, Atomflot will have at its disposal a unique tool for solving special problems in the harsh conditions of the Arctic.
However, the construction of the Leader icebreakers may be associated with known difficulties. The project is very complex and requires the joint efforts of a number of industries. In addition, he makes special demands on shipbuilders. Finally, new vessels have a record cost. For comparison, the icebreakers LK-60Ya, currently under construction, cost about 50 billion rubles.
Economic benefits
A few years ago, before the completion of the development of Project 10510, the goals and objectives of the new icebreaker became known. In addition, its potential and impact on shipping in the Arctic were actively discussed. According to various estimates, the Leader-type nuclear-powered icebreaker can significantly affect the operation of the Northern Sea Route and increase its main indicators. The appearance of several of these vessels will further affect the economy.
An advantageous combination of basic characteristics and dimensions will allow the Leader to navigate through the ice vessels with a width of up to 35-40 m and a deadweight of up to 180-200 thousand tons. First of all, ice-class tankers or gas carriers are expected. Depending on different conditions, the passage of vessels along the entire length of the Northern Sea Route behind the icebreaker Project 10510 will take no more than 15-20 days.
Layout of the future "Leader". Photo by the Central Design Bureau "Iceberg" / iceberg.sp.ru
Thus, the emergence of a new heavy nuclear icebreaker will speed up transportation along the Northern Sea Route and optimize their economic component. Ultimately, this will positively affect the overall cargo turnover. Our country will be able to increase its transportation and trade, as well as earn money by ensuring the passage of foreign ships.
According to well-known calculations, the optimal indicators of the Northern Sea Route can be obtained in the presence of three atomic icebreakers of the Leader type. The construction of two serial ships so far belongs to the distant future - their service will begin no earlier than the thirties. The receipt of three heavy icebreakers will allow Atomflot to realize all the advantages of both the ships themselves and strategically important Arctic routes.
Icebreakers of the future
“Leaders” will be able to influence the economy only in the distant future, but for now the main task of the industry is to prepare for the construction of the lead vessel. This process is already being completed, and work will soon begin to assemble the first units of the hull of the future icebreaker. The construction will be completed in the middle of the decade, then they will carry out the necessary tests and hand over the icebreaker to the customer. By the time it was commissioned in 2027, industry should begin the construction of two serial vessels.
According to the results of this construction, by the mid-thirties, our country will have three outstanding in all respects icebreakers - not counting a number of other modern ships of this class. The expected results will be based on the latest and most promising technologies and developments in various fields. They will determine the future of the Northern Sea Route and the development of the Arctic as a whole.
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