The test was carried out in the southern area of Itacuruçá Island, about 4 nautical miles from the ICN (Itaguaí Construções Navais) shipyard, built by Brazilian company, Construtora Norberto Odebrecht (CNO), with assistance from Naval Group.
Launched on December 14 2018, the Riachuelo started its trials in September this year.
Static immersion of the Riachuelo consisted of the controlled intake of water into the submarine’s ballast tanks until it was completely submerged without the use of its propulsion. The procedure was designed to ensure not only the sealing and longitudinal and transverse stability of the submarine while underwater, but also to record the volume of water that was admitted to the internal tanks. These values were used to accurately determine the displacement of the Riachuelo while submerged.
Static immersion was the first in a series of sea acceptance tests, which will be conducted from December this year. The purpose of the assessments is to verify the performance of the submarine’s platform, equipment and systems, both on and offshore, to be conducted by the receiving crew, under the supervision of the Nuclear Propulsion Submarine Development Program General Coordination. and the responsibility of Itaguaí Construções Navais (ICN) and Naval Group.
The test campaign will culminate with the test-firing of a F21 heavyweight torpedo and a MBDA SM39 Exocet Block 2 Mod 2 anti-ship missile. This will validate the effectiveness of the combat system.
Sea trials are scheduled to last until the first half of 2020, while submarine commissioning is scheduled for October 2020. The Riachuelo will be followed by the Humaitá submarine (S41), scheduled for launch in 2020, the Tonelero (S42) in 2021 and the Angostura (S43) in 2022.
Scorpène Submarine
Scorpène is the conventional submarine designed by Naval Group for the export market. It demonstrates both Naval Group’s ability to deliver best in class submarines and to conduct successful transfers of technology. Today 14 Scorpène submarines are in operational service or being built, for the Chilean Navy (2 units), the Malaysian Navy (2 units), the Indian Navy (6 units) and the Brazilian Navy (4 units).
The Scorpène design is adapted to fit each navy’s specific requirements. Thus, the Brazilian Scorpène will be slightly longer to carry a larger crew, almost double the patrol range, and be able to cover greater distances.
Scorpène is ideally suited for action and operational effectiveness. Robust and enduring, it’s an ocean-going submarine also designed for shallow waters operations. Multipurpose, it fulfils the entire scope of missions such as anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare, special operations, offensive minelaying and intelligence gathering. Integrating improvements from French Barracuda-Class fast-attack submarine, Scorpène has cutting-edge capabilities.
Brazilian Scorpène’s characteristics
- Surfaced displacement: 1,600 – 2,000 t
- Length, overall: 72 m
- Submerged speed > 20 kts
- Diving depth > 300 m
- Autonomy > 45 days
- Crew: 35
- Weapons total payload: 18
- Weapon tubes: 6
- Operational availability at sea > 240 days per year
