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 propulsion system of Scorpene-class submarines consists of 4 x MTU 12V396 SE84 series diesel engines coupled with Kermount Industries 580kW generators. Sensors and processing will be made up of an acoustic surveillance system, digital-assisted attack, and dedicated analysis and monitoring hardware. The sonar system will be provided by Thales.

The Scorpene-class submarines are armed with six 533mm torpedo launching tubes, 18 heavy weapons, tube-launched MBDA SM-39 Exocet anti-ship missiles and precision-guided weapons. The weapons are carried in weapon launching tubes and can be easily reloaded at sea.

Static immersion was the first in a series of acceptance tests, which will take place at sea, which will be conducted from December this year.

Sea trials are scheduled to last until the first half of 2020, while submarine commissioning is scheduled for October 2020. 

Maritime Business World