The U212 NFS new Battery System (Lithium based) successfully completed its System Design Review (SDR). This milestone marks a mandatory step forward in the development, possible production and integration on board of the U212 NFS fleet. SDR core objectives were safety and the increase of the operating capacity of the Lithium Battery System. The SDR was achieved through a joint effort by all stakeholders such as the OCCAR U212 NFS Programme Division, Submarine experts of the Italian Navy and the whole small and medium-sized enterprises led by Fincantieri. Next significant step will be the Critical Design Review that completes the design of this innovative as well as strategic energy storage system in line with the Italian Navy operational requirements.
The U212 NFS (Near Future Submarine) Programme is the most ambitious and innovative Submarine project undertaken by Italy. Italy was very keen that OCCAR manage the Programme on its behalf. OCCAR (with 20 years’ experience of programme management since its founding) has a proven track record of meeting and exceeding the demands of its Participating States in establishing new Programmes and delivering new defence capabilities. OCCAR will ensure that the Programme’s development is in line with the most advanced criteria of System Engineering, Through Life Management, Risk Management and Quality. This will help to bring the Programme to the forefront of international attention, enhancing its potential for future cooperation and the increase the visibility of its industrial participants.
The Programme has capitalised on the experiences of the current U212A and has exploited the cutting edge technology of the mechanical, energy and sensor, structures and projects sectors. The U212 NFS will also include a new generation combat system with Leonardo-developed command management system and weapon control, both including significant industrial and technological content provided by Italian industry, R&D and academia. The new platform will have an extended pressure hull, CIC re-designed for additional consoles, tropicalisation (operability in seawater with tropical temperatures), electric hoistable masts instead of hydraulic ones, new engineering control monitoring system and lithium ion batteries for propulsion system. Moreover, U212 NFS will be fitted for the deployment of long-range deep strike cruise missiles and Leonardo national Black Shark Advanced heavyweight torpedoes.
OCCAR (Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en matière d’Armement / Organisation for Joint Armament Co-operation) is an international organisation whose core-business is the through life management of cooperative defence equipment programmes. The organisation was established by means of the OCCAR Convention which is equivalent to an international treaty. This is underpinned by the implementation of a comprehensive business management framework, comprising a Quality Management System which attained the ISO 9001:2000 certification in July 2005. In 2017, the OCCAR Quality Management System was certified against the new ISO 9001:2015 standard. The current OCCAR Member States are: Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom.
