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BNS Riachuelo (S40)

2020 MODERN NAVY

History

BNS Riachuelo (S40) is the lead ship of the modern Brazilian Navy's emerging four-class diesel-electric attack submarine. The vessel is currently under construction at the new Itaguai shipyard in Brazil and will be joined by her sister ships Humaita (S41), Tonelero (S42) and Ango Stura (S43).

Riachuelo is expected to enter service with the Brazilian Navy around 2017.

Riachuelo and her sisters are descended from the French Scorpene class, which is also the basis for several attack boats in the navies of Chile, India and Malaysia. The Brazilian product will be a 75-foot vessel capable of 21 knots underwater (about 12 above water), powered by 220 battery propulsion and a host of auxiliary systems.

Like other diesel-electric hybrid designs, Riachuelo will use its diesel thrusters for surface cruises and its electrical systems for subsea cruises to the surface (near the depth of the snorkel) to charge oxygen reservoirs and expel deadly gas buildup and charge its battery.

The propulsion system will consist of 4 MTU 12V396 SE84 series diesel engines and Kermount Industries 580kW alternators. Sensors and processing include acoustic monitoring systems, digitally assisted attacks, and specialized analysis and monitoring hardware. The sonar system was provided by Thales.

As an attack submarine, the ship will be equipped with 6 torpedo tubes for launching the widely accepted 21-inch torpedoes as well as French SM-39 "Exocet" Block 39 Mod.2 anti-ship missiles. The torpedoes chosen will be the French "F21" model series, a dual-role torpedo weapon with high-speed (up to 50 knots) and long-range (up to 50 km) characteristics.

The SM-39 missile will initially be used for a torpedo-type body surrounding the missile itself. That body would then find its way to the surface and release the missile itself, which would then fire up and guide itself to its intended target.

The arrival of Riasullo marks a step forward in Brazil's power projection in the South American region. Furthermore, building a viable shipyard for the construction of warships will help establish Brazil as an independent naval-military power in this part of the world.