Archer class submarine
Encyclopedia
The Archer class submarines are the newest class of diesel-electric
submarine
s in active service with the Republic of Singapore Navy
(RSN). Originally launched as the Swedish Navy
Västergötland class submarine
s HMS Hälsingland and HMS Västergötland in 1986 and 1987, the two submarines were sold to Singapore
in November 2005 and relaunched in June 2009 and October 2010 resp. after extensive modernisation by Kockums
, which included a refit to Södermanland class
standards, the insertion of a new hull section with an air independent propulsion system, and additional climatisation for use in tropical waters.
(MINDEF) signed an agreement with Kockums
for the supply of two Archer class (formerly Västergötland class) submarines to the RSN on 4 November 2005. More than 20 years old and previously in reserve with the Swedish Navy, the submarines will be transferred to the RSN on completion of the modernisation and conversion for operation in tropical waters. RSS Archer was launched on 16 June 2009. RSS Archer will be undergoing sea trials following its launch and is expected to return to Singapore in 2010. The second submarine, RSS Swordsman, was launched on 20 October 2010. The Archer class submarines are expected to enter service from 2010 and may replace some of the Challenger
class submarines.
AIP
engines. This enables the submarines to have longer submerged endurance and lower noise signature, enhancing the stealth capability of the submarines. The advanced sonar system allows the submarines to detect contacts at a further distance, while the torpedo system has a better target acquisition capability, which allows the submarines to engage contacts at a further range.
Video links
Diesel-electric
Diesel-electric transmission or diesel-electric powertrain is used by a number of vehicle and ship types for providing locomotion.A diesel-electric transmission system includes a diesel engine connected to an electrical generator, creating electricity that powers electric traction motors...
submarine
Submarine
A submarine is a watercraft capable of independent operation below the surface of the water. It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability...
s in active service with the Republic of Singapore Navy
Republic of Singapore Navy
The Republic of Singapore Navy is the naval component of the Singapore Armed Forces , responsible for the defence of Singapore against sea-borne threats and protection of its sea lines of communications. Operating within the crowded littoral waters of the Singapore Strait, the RSN is regarded as...
(RSN). Originally launched as the Swedish Navy
Swedish Navy
The Royal Swedish Navy is the naval branch of the Swedish Armed Forces. It is composed of surface and submarine naval units – the Fleet – as well as marine units, the so-called Amphibious Corps .In Swedish, vessels of the Swedish Navy are given the prefix "HMS," short for Hans/Hennes...
Västergötland class submarine
Västergötland class submarine
The Västergötland class of diesel-electric submarines was introduced in 1987 by the Swedish Navy. The original four ships of her class, HMS Västergötland, HMS Hälsingland, HMS Södermanland and HMS Östergötland, were built between 1983 and 1988 by Kockums AB...
s HMS Hälsingland and HMS Västergötland in 1986 and 1987, the two submarines were sold to Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
in November 2005 and relaunched in June 2009 and October 2010 resp. after extensive modernisation by Kockums
Kockums
Kockums AB is a shipyard in Malmö, Sweden owned by the German shipyard Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft in Kiel. HDW itself is a subsidiary of the German ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems....
, which included a refit to Södermanland class
Södermanland class submarine
The Swedish Södermanland class of diesel-electric submarines consist of the HMS Södermanland and HMS Östergötland. These two submarines were originally launched as Västergötland class submarines in 1987 and 1990, and have been relaunched as a new class after extensive modernization 2003 and 2004 by...
standards, the insertion of a new hull section with an air independent propulsion system, and additional climatisation for use in tropical waters.
History
Singapore's Ministry of DefenceMinistry of Defence (Singapore)
The Ministry of Defence is a ministry of the Government of Singapore entrusted with overseeing the national defence needs of the Republic of Singapore. It is the headquarters of the Singapore Armed Forces...
(MINDEF) signed an agreement with Kockums
Kockums
Kockums AB is a shipyard in Malmö, Sweden owned by the German shipyard Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft in Kiel. HDW itself is a subsidiary of the German ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems....
for the supply of two Archer class (formerly Västergötland class) submarines to the RSN on 4 November 2005. More than 20 years old and previously in reserve with the Swedish Navy, the submarines will be transferred to the RSN on completion of the modernisation and conversion for operation in tropical waters. RSS Archer was launched on 16 June 2009. RSS Archer will be undergoing sea trials following its launch and is expected to return to Singapore in 2010. The second submarine, RSS Swordsman, was launched on 20 October 2010. The Archer class submarines are expected to enter service from 2010 and may replace some of the Challenger
Sjöormen class submarine
The Sjöormen class were a group of submarines built for the Swedish Navy in the late 1960s. They had a teardrop shape and were capable of diving to 150m. At the time of their deployment they were regarded as one of the most advanced non-nuclear submarine-classes in the world, incorporating many new...
class submarines.
| Ship name | Launched | Commissioned | Service | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RSS Archer (ex-HMS Hälsingland) | 16 June 2009 | Undergoing sea trials | ||
| RSS Swordsman (ex-HMS Västergötland) | 20 October 2010 | |||
Design and construction
The Archer class submarines were designed and built by Kockums AB as single-hull, double compartment submarines optimised to reduce noise and magnetic signature. The two pressure-tight compartments also enhance safety and survivability of the crew. The submarines were designed to operate in the shallow waters of the Baltic Sea and are therefore also optimised for operation in Singapore waters, which have similar depth profiles.The Archer class submarines are also equipped with StirlingStirling engine
A Stirling engine is a heat engine operating by cyclic compression and expansion of air or other gas, the working fluid, at different temperature levels such that there is a net conversion of heat energy to mechanical work....
AIP
Air-independent propulsion
Air-independent propulsion is a term that encompasses technologies which allow a submarine to operate without the need to surface or use a snorkel to access atmospheric oxygen. The term usually excludes the use of nuclear power, and describes augmenting or replacing the diesel-electric propulsion...
engines. This enables the submarines to have longer submerged endurance and lower noise signature, enhancing the stealth capability of the submarines. The advanced sonar system allows the submarines to detect contacts at a further distance, while the torpedo system has a better target acquisition capability, which allows the submarines to engage contacts at a further range.
External links
- MINDEF - Singapore Navy Launches Its First Archer-Class Submarine
- Official Kockums website on the Archer class submarines
- Kockum's AIP Sterling system
Video links