ANPA "Surrogate-V". New version of a promising concept
The proposed appearance of the ANPA "Surrogat-V"
Over the past years, the Rubin Central Design Bureau has been actively engaged in the topic of autonomous uninhabited underwater vehicles (AUVs) and has already developed a number of similar projects. At the recent Army-2022 forum, the bureau presented a new model of this class - the Surrogat-V apparatus. It was created on the basis of an already well-known project, but due to a number of innovations, it was possible to expand the functions of the complex and the range of its tasks.
Autonomous slave
At the Army-2022 forum last week, the Rubin Central Design Bureau of MT showed materials on a number of its developments, both already known and completely new. In particular, a model of a new AUV called "Surrogate-B" or Surrogate-W was demonstrated. The letter "B" in the name means "slave" or "wingman" and reflects the main feature of the project.
The new project "Surrogat-V" provides for the construction of a heavy multifunctional AUV, designed to be placed on submarines and able to work together with them. The developer organization said that such a device would take on some of the tasks of full-fledged submarines. Its use will allow you to effectively carry out various activities without risk to the carrier ship.
AUVs are proposed to be used for reconnaissance using active search tools, for communication, etc. With such work, the device can unmask itself and give out its location, but the submarine, which plays the role of "leader", will remain safe.
The Surogat-V apparatus looks like a small submarine. It has a streamlined body with several protruding elements, planes and rudders. In the bow and on most of the sides there are hydroacoustic instruments under a characteristic strip of skin. In the stern there is an annular water jet channel.
The intended appearance of the first "Surrogate" with a towed antenna
Some characteristics are disclosed. The displacement of the product remained at the level of the previous project - 40 tons. Due to the introduction of new solutions and components, the functions of the device are expanding. In addition, new lithium-ion batteries increase the cruising range to 800 miles. A new power plant based on electrochemical generators is being developed. The AUV will be recharged both on board the carrier and using bottom charging stations.
The model of the Surrogat-V ANPA was shown on the same stand with the model of the promising Arktur nuclear submarine. The latter can be the carrier of various underwater vehicles, including heavy class products. For their placement in the aft part of the hull, special compartments are provided.
The prospects for the Surrogat-B project have not yet been specified. How soon he will reach the construction and testing of experimental equipment is unknown. The Ministry of Defense also does not comment on this topic. However, models of the new technology were presented at the stand of the High Command of the Navy, which indicates the presence of interest in such developments. Apparently, the details of the work will be announced as certain events are held.
New modification
It should be noted that the current project of the Surrogat-V AUV was not developed from scratch. It was based on the project of the same name, the existence of which became known a few years ago. So, in 2016-17. it became known that the Central Design Bureau of MT "Rubin" on its own initiative launched a project with the code "Surrogate". Its goal was to create a special underwater vehicle for conducting exercises fleet.
According to the information of that time, the Surrogate product will be an unmanned submarine with a length of 17 m and a displacement of 40 tons. An all-electric power plant based on lithium-ion batteries was created for it. The propeller motor was supposed to give a cruising speed of 5 knots, which made it possible to obtain a range of up to 600 miles. Maximum speed - 24 knots with range restrictions.
An autonomous control system with a number of basic functions was created for the Surrogate. She had to control the movement and ensure the passage of a given route, as well as apply a target load of one type or another.
The device was intended to be used as a training target for practicing anti-submarine defense tasks. In this regard, it was proposed to install the necessary devices on it, as well as built-in and towed antenna devices. With their help, the Surrogate, justifying its name, had to imitate the physical fields of a full-size submarine. The possibility of simulating ships of various types, domestic and foreign, was mentioned.
The research work "Surrogate" was completed by mid-2020, and the documentation on it was transferred to the Ministry of Defense. The military had to study the initiative development and draw conclusions. Upon receipt of a positive opinion, the project could be developed and in the future reach full operation.
A year later, in September 2021, the Rubin Central Design Bureau of MT announced the continuation of work on the Surrogate topic. This time, the ability of AUVs to imitate submarines was mentioned as a way to deceive the enemy. It has been argued that recent technological advances already make it possible to mislead ship and aviation detection complexes. In the future, the same effect will be obtained for stationary systems.
Function expansion
The original project of the training AUV "Surrogate" was developed, and this process led to the emergence of a new interesting development. Unlike its predecessor, "Surrogate-B" is intended to work incl. in a combat situation. At the same time, both projects are of great interest - both at the level of basic ideas and due to the solutions found.
The concept of a special simulator capable of participating in PLO exercises as a conditional target is very interesting and has obvious advantages. At present, the role of a mock enemy is assigned to the submarines of the Navy and their crews. For all its advantages, this approach has some disadvantages. The main one is the fundamental impossibility of a full-fledged imitation of foreign submarines by domestic technology.
ANPA "Surrogate", in turn, is simpler and cheaper than combatant submarines. Organization of exercises with its application is much easier. At the same time, it can carry any suitable equipment and simulate the physical fields of various underwater objects, primarily submarines of a potential enemy. Exercises of this kind will be much more useful for PLO forces.
In the new project "Surrogat-B" it is proposed to use the same AUV capabilities not in a training, but in a real environment. Such a device should imitate not the enemy, but our submarine - and mislead foreign forces. Such a substitution will reduce the probability of detecting a carrier ship and drastically reduce the risks for it.
Two submersibles with similar functions, but different roles, can be maximally unified in terms of design and means of operation. At present, this greatly simplifies the development of two promising complexes, and in the future it will have a positive effect on the production and operation of equipment in the Navy. In addition, the customer may generally abandon the "Surrogate" of the first model. The new "Surrogate-V" has all the necessary functions, and it can also be used in exercises.
promising direction
Thus, TsKB MT "Rubin" continues to develop the direction of autonomous uninhabited underwater vehicles and now presents another development of this kind. The Surrogat-B project clearly shows what existing technologies and technical solutions can do. It also demonstrates the potential of an interesting concept proposed several years ago.
Central Design Bureau MT "Rubin" presented a new AUV project and disclosed some information about it. Now it's up to the Department of Defense. It should study the proposed concept and determine its value to the navy. If a positive decision is made, "Surrogat-B" will be further developed and, possibly, even come to testing and subsequent operation.
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