The Navy and Navantia are making satisfactory progress in defining the next generation of Coastal Hydrographic Vessels (BHC), which will replace the current ‘Antares’ class. Officials from the Navy and the company held a meeting at the Navantia Training Center (NTC) in which the progress of the program was confirmed.
The Ministry of Defense and Navantia signed last December the execution order for the construction of these two shipswhich will allow the Navy to renew its Hydrographic Flotilla, also advancing in the green transition, since the new ships will be able to operate with biofuels.
In these meetings The director of the Corvette and Maritime Action Vessel Business, Alberto Cervantes, participated, along with the head of this program, Juan Carlos Carrascal; and, on behalf of the Navy, the head of Naval Programs, CN Pedro Sánchez; and the head of the Hydrographic Flotilla Program, CNI Ángel Arrazola.
Representatives of the Navy Hydrographic Institute (IHM) and other Navy departments also attended. Its objective is to reach the preliminary design review phase, whose approval is expected to the first months of next year.
The BHCs have main mission the publication, dissemination and maintenance of the official nautical cartography of the State, in Spanish waters and coasts, a task of the Navy Hydrographic Institute (IHM), responsible for operating these vessels and guaranteeing the fulfillment of said missions.
Characteristics
The ships will be 47 meters long and have a displacement of around 900 tons. With a reduced staff of 30 people, due to its high degree of automation, they will have a 3,000 mile range to keep operating in shallow waters for 15 days.
These vessels will be built at the Navantia shipyard in San Fernando (Cádiz). Over the next four years, the work will sustain 700 jobsincluding direct, indirect and induced jobs.
The BHCs will be capable of carrying out hydrographic surveys that allow the preparation of cartography, support to the Fleet with geographical, environmental and meteorological information and protection of underwater archaeological heritage.
To do this, they will be equipped with hydrographic equipment such as echo soundersside-scan sonar or positioning systems that will contribute to the study of the water column and the seabed.
In addition, they will have autonomous media such as an ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle), a USV (Unmanned Surface Vehicle) and a hydrographic boat, which will work autonomously to compile and record data and have the ability to perform hydrographic and ocean work
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