Home News STM Describes its Design and Engineering Capabilities in Naval Platforms

STM Describes its Design and Engineering Capabilities in Naval Platforms

by Can Kılınç

The news article that is in the  NSS 2019 Special Dossier published in the 76th issue of MSI Turkish Defence Review is here:

 

STM described its engineering and design experience in naval platforms to the participants of the seminar through presentations. The focus of the company presentations were the engineering studies that go into the design of ships and submarines, and the emerging technologies in the naval platform field. The experience shared in the presentations once again demonstrated the engineering level reached by STM in naval platforms.

 

The six REİS-class submarines being constructed at Gölcük Shipyard Command of Naval Forces Command will be the first Turkish submarines to incorporate an air-independent propulsion system.

The six REİS-class submarines being constructed at Gölcük Shipyard Command of Naval Forces Command will be the first Turkish submarines to incorporate an air-independent propulsion system.

 

STM Develops Unmanned Naval Vehicle for Firefighting at Sea 

In parallel with the technological advance, rapidly developing unmanned systems brings many different solutions for naval platforms. In his presentation entitled “Different Usages of Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs)” at NSS 2019, Çağhan Pekin, Leader Machinery Outfitting Design Engineer at STM, stated that they are working on a USV that can perform firefighting duties at sea.

He said that the USV developed by STM for firefighting duties offers several advantages. First of all, since there is nobody aboard, the USV can be positioned anywhere during the firefight, regardless of the wind direction. More USVs can be deployed to respond to a fire aboard a vessel than traditional fireboats, in that USVs are smaller in size. Furthermore, since USVs are manufactured from durable steel and pose no risk for firefighters, they can take up position closer to the vessel. The most significant feature of firefighting USVs is their speed of 30+ knots, which enables them to reach the scene of the fire faster than fireboats, which operate at speeds of approximately 10.5 knots, and thus to prevent the spread of the fire.

Pekin said that the system is currently in the design phase, and that they would be designing another USV for use in different tasks.

 

New Type Submarines Powered by Air-Independent Propulsion Systems

In his presentation entitled “Air Independent Propulsion System Alternatives, Preference and Sizing Criteria”, Eray Yalçın, Leader Submarine Design Engineer at STM, gave information about the past, present and future trends in air-independent propulsion technologies for submarines, the modernisation of conventional submarines in the inventory of navies around the world with air-independent propulsion systems, and applications in the New Type Submarine (YTDA) Project.

The six REİS-class submarines being constructed at the Gölcük Shipyard Command of Naval Forces Command will be the first Turkish submarines to incorporate air-independent propulsion system. The project, in which STM is serving as a subcontractor, will feature an air-independent propulsion system that makes use of Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell technologies. This type of air-independent propulsion system stands out with its modular and compact structure, its low weight–volume ratio, and its low thermal and acoustic footprint. STM announced on May 21, 2018 that the LOX (Liquid Oxygen) Tank – one of the main components of the air-independent propulsion systems to be used in this project – had been manufactured in Turkey for the first time.

 

TCG KINALIADA (F-514), as the fourth and last of the ADA-class corvettes, was delivered to Naval Forces Command with a ceremony held on September 29.

TCG KINALIADA (F-514), as the fourth and last of the ADA-class corvettes, was delivered to Naval Forces Command with a ceremony held on September 29.

 

Indigenous Coding for 3D Modelling Programs

Mert Oğuz, Senior Machinery Outfitting Design Engineer at STM, made a presentation entitled “Usage, Contribution and Efficiency of 3D Modelling Program in Ship Design”. In his presentation, Oğuz informed the participants about the practical solutions used by the company in this field.

In vessel modelling processes, applications that are constantly repeating themselves, or that cannot be fully satisfied by modelling software, are the most challenging issues for engineers. Such types of applications increase the modelling time when performed manually, and possibility of mistakes by engineers is increased. 3D modelling programs have emerged as cost-effective solutions that reduce man-hours spent, are can therefore be used effectively in vessel design. STM makes use of these programs in the vessel designing stage. The cost of the preferred 3D modelling programs in Turkey, however, varies between 1,000–1,100 Euros per month, which means an average hourly cost of 5.5–6.5 Euros. STM engineers wrote nearly 150 customisation codes for the 3D modelling software they use, reducing the work time from, for example an average of 39 hours as less as one hour, achieving up to 95 percent efficiency in some of the more time-consuming modelling applications. This resulted in significant savings in both cost and time.

 

New Experience in Each Project

In her presentation entitled the “General Layout Of Ship And Design Process”, Gülce İnci, Senior Hull Outfitting Engineer at STM, informed the participants about STM’s experience in this field. İnci stated that the primary goal in creating an accurate general layout is to satisfy the technical requirements with minimum volume and with maximum efficiency. She said that all systems and equipment are planned and functionally placed down to the last detail, and that in this way, they minimise the possibility of the vessel and personnel being affected by internal or external factors. İnci said that the new experiences acquired in each project benefit the subsequent projects, based on correct identifications and analyses.

 

Fast Attack Craft (FAC 55)

Fast Attack Craft (FAC 55)

 

STM Engineers in Pursuit of High Speed

Emre Öztürk, Expert Hull Outfitting Engineer at STM, made a presentation on “Ship Speed Losses and Power Requirement Increase in Different Weather and Marine Conditions”. STM carries out many different analyses aimed at minimising the loss of speed by vessels in different weather and sea conditions, making use of the experience gained from previous projects. Various factors, such as route, weather, fallout, wave, pressure and friction, are examined in these analyses, and based on the results of the analyses, arrangements are made in the design of the vessel and in the layout of the systems and equipment.

With its experience in this field, STM aims to make its mark in the Turkish Type Fast Attack Craft Project, which are planned to serve at higher speeds than such larger naval platforms as corvettes and frigates.

 

 

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