

Babcock's contribution to Spanish S-80 first of class submarine

According to a press release published by Babcock International on April 30, 2021, the Aerospace, Defence, and Security Company, has supported the delivery of a significant milestone for the Armada Española (Spanish Navy), with its customer Navantia unveiling the first in class S-80 submarine in Cartagena Spain.
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Russian Vyborg Shipyard laid the Purga ice class coastguard ship of project 23550 925 001 Isaac Peral, the first S-80 class submarine (Picture source: Navantia)

The S-80 programme is the first modern submarine of Spanish design and will deliver a state of the art underwater capability to the Armada Española. Babcock plays an integral role on the platform, bringing to bear our extensive experience and world leading proprietary technology to deliver the Weapon Handling and Discharge Equipment (WHDE) and Acoustic Countermeasures Launchers (ACM) for the four boat class.

Throughout design and build stages Babcock developed a bespoke Spanish supply chain to manufacture a significant amount of equipment for the S-80. The weapon tube Outboard Lengths and the Weapon Embarkation Equipment were the largest pieces of equipment manufactured in-country. Babcock will continue to manufacture a significant amount of equipment in Spain for the remaining boats on the programme.

The first submarine which was unveiled today, to be named Isaac Peral (S-81), is expected to be delivered to the Armada Española in 2022. This will be followed by the Nariso Monturiol (S-82), Cosme Garcia (S-83), and Matero Garcia de los Reyes (S-84).

The S-80 Plus class (or Isaac Peral class) is a Spanish class of four submarines in production by the Spanish company Navantia in its Cartagena shipyard for the Spanish Navy. Navantia expects to deliver the first S-80 Plus to the Spanish Navy in 2021.

The S-80's air-independent propulsion (AIP) system is based on a bioethanol-processor consisting of a reaction chamber and several intermediate Coprox reactors. Provided by Hynergreen from Abengoa, the system transforms the bioethanol (BioEtOH) into high purity hydrogen. The output feeds a series of fuel cells from UTC Power company.

The S-80 Plus-class submarines have a full load displacement of 3,200 tons, a total length of 81.05 m (265.9 ft), a beam of 11.68 m (38.3 ft) and a draught of 6.20 m (20.3 ft). With a cruising speed of 12 knots, the S-80 Plus-class submarines offer a range of 8,000 nm. The submarine can accommodate 32 personnel (plus 8 troops).

The S-80 Plus-class submarine is equipped with 6 × 533 mm torpedo tubes with DM2A4 torpedoes and Harpoon missiles.