Now available from Schroff is a range of 19in. subracks that can withstand the rigorous and demanding environmental conditions found in many naval applications, particularly where equipment is subjected to extreme levels of shock and vibration.

Featuring a robust aluminium construction, the europacPRO subracks are designed to provide high mechanical stability to protect the electronic systems mounted within them.

To verify their durability and stability under shock and vibration, the subracks have been thoroughly tested by an independent test house in accordance with a number of industry standards, including IEC 61587-1, and EN 50155.

These RoHS-compliant subracks are available unshielded or with EMC cover plates and contact strips to provide typical shielding levels of 40dB at 1GHz and 30dB at 2GHz.

The subracks are 84HP wide and can be specified with heights of 3U or 6U and depths of 235 or 320mm. A comprehensive range of accessories is also available, including card guides, front panels and plug-in units.

Imtech (technical services provider in Europe and the global maritime market) announces that it has been commissioned to provide solutions for platform automation, propulsion & drive, energy distribution, innovative automated bridge systems and navigation and communication on board various high-tech offshore construction vessels to be used in the exploration and exploitation of oil and gas. The total value of these special vessels contracts amounts to over 50 million euro. Moreover, these solutions will lead to significant reductions in fuel consumption and environmentally harmful emissions. The increasing global demand for energy is resulting in the deployment of growing numbers of large offshore construction vessels for the exploration and exploitation of oil and gas in deep waters.

BMT Defence Services a subsidiary of BMT Group, has supplied 15 innovative, hand-held map grid converters for use on the Royal Air Force's new Merlin HC Mk3a helicopters. These units enable Merlin pilots to convert Ordnance Survey (OS) map grid co-ordinates into latitude and longitude (WGS84) co-ordinates for the onboard flight system. BMT's grid conversion technology has proved itself over recent years. Previously, BMT supplied 70 grid converters for use on British Army Apache AH Mk1 helicopters during UK training exercises. Used to assist with navigation and enhance situational awareness, these enable pilots to convert between OS, WGS84, Universal Transverse Mercator and Military Grid Reference System (MGRS) formats.

Imtech have announced the acquisition of Van Berge Henegouwen Installaties (VBH). The total purchase price (including earn-out) is based on about five times the EBIT and will be paid in cash. The acquisition will contribute directly to the profit per share. The management of VBH will stay on after the acquisition. VAN BERGE HENEGOUWEN VBH is a specialist in the field of maritime technology for luxury yachts, such as high-tech entertainment (multimedia, audio and video), communication, security and operational systems, navigation and computer networks. Every year, VBH is responsible for these innovative technological solutions on board six or seven luxury motor and sailing yachts.

Shanghai – AKRON (China) Group has decided to use FORAN as their main ship design system after a careful selection process that has lasted more than two years. AKRON is the first commercial FORAN user in China. "FORAN is a technical leading shipbuilding software system, and is widely accepted by many shipyards and design offices in the world. Thus it is our honour to be the first user of FORAN in China, and we sincerely hope that FORAN can now be applied in more and more shipyards in China,” commented Mr Panagiotics K. Mitroulias, executive director of the AKRON (China) Group. "We chose FORAN as our main system for ship design and construction, not only because of its advanced technology and powerful capability, but also because UFC (SENER's partner in China) can provide a leading PLM system and digital shipbuilding solution as well as FORAN.

MKU, a versatile and rapidly growing defence solutions provider, has sealed a partnership with AST Security Equipment, Germany, a front-runner in ballistic protection solutions. This venture by MKU aims to conquer tomorrow's challenges with defence solutions that will redefine industry benchmarks. In a short span of two decades, MKU has emerged as a leading defence solutions provider from India with consistent supplies to the Indian Army, police and other special forces. It has also carved a niche for itself in the international arena by establishing direct customer bases in over 50 countries across the globe.

BMT Defence Services Ltd, a subsidiary of BMT Group Ltd, recently completed the Future OMAR (Operational Maintenance and Repair) Capability Options Study for the Future Business Group (FBG) of the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD). A key element of the current OMAR capability, the Forward Repair Ship RFA DILIGENCE, is due to leave service in 2014. The Directorate of Equipment Capability Expeditionary Logistics Support (DEC ELS) wished to examine a wide range of options for how the capability will be delivered after that date. The BMT study assisted DEC ELS in this task by exploring the benefits and shortfalls of acquiring the capability via a range of costed options.

AKRON (China) Group has decided to use FORAN as their main ship design system after a careful selection process that has lasted more than two years. AKRON is the first commercial FORAN user in China. "FORAN is a technical leading shipbuilding software system, and is widely accepted by many shipyards and design offices in the world. Thus it is our honour to be the first user of FORAN in China, and we sincerely hope that FORAN can now be applied in more and more shipyards in China” commented Mr. Panagiotics K. Mitroulias, Executive Director of AKRON (China) Group, "We chose FORAN as our main system for ship design and construction, not only because of its advanced technology and powerful capability, but also because UFC (SENER's partner in China) can provide a leading PLM system and digital shipbuilding solution as well as FORAN.

Luxury yachts portfolio expanded to include high-tech multimedia technology. Imtech announces the acquisition of Van Berge Henegouwen Installaties B.V. (VBH). The total purchase price (including earn-out) is based on about five times the EBIT and will be paid in cash. The acquisition will contribute directly to the profit per share. The management of VBH will stay on after the acquisition. Profile Van Berge Henegouwen VBH is a specialist in the field of maritime technology for luxury yachts, such as high-tech entertainment (multimedia, audio and video), communication, security and operational systems, navigation and computer networks.

BMT Defence Services, a subsidiary of BMT Group, has significantly upgraded the Ministry of Defence's (MoD) Systems Information Co-ordination Agency (SiCA) database and website. Managed by BMT, SiCA provides Naval Combat Systems Interface Co-ordination (NCSIC) for new or modified equipment to be installed in Royal Navy warships and submarines. The SiCA database acts as the hub of essential core data relating to: past, present and planned equipment changes and the interfaces between equipment; ownership; and approved documents and drawings. Major Improvements "The new SiCA system replaces the previous, restrictive legacy database," says Sam Dorling, an information services manager at BMT Defence Services.

BMT Defence Services has completed a costing study for a class of new submarines to replace the Royal Australian Navy's existing Collins-class submarines.

Commissioned by Australia's Department of Defence, BMT's independent study has assessed the total programme whole-life cost of owning and operating the replacements for the Collins-class submarines. The Royal Australian Navy expects the new submarines to enter service in the early 2020s.

"This study benefits from BMT's considerable experience and expertise in costing and builds on our success in Australia," says Andrew Hardwick, who heads BMT's costing capability. "In addition to our work on the Collins-class replacement project, we have assisted with costing for the Royal Australian Navy's Landing Helicopter Dock ship programme and are currently costing the Air Warfare Destroyer programme."

Schroff has announced that its range of AdvancedTCA and MicroTCA chassis systems have undergone and passed rigorous testing at an independent laboratory to confirm their stability under extreme shock and vibration conditions.

With these open computing standards beginning to attract the attention of users in the defence and transportation sectors, it has become essential for systems to be able to cope with the most demanding of environments.

The 14-slot 12U AdvancedTCA system under test was equipped with 12 dummy boards at the front, together with two operational shelf manager boards and two AMC carriers containing AMC modules of varying dimensions. The rear of the system was equipped with 14 transition modules, and the total weight of the system was 71.5kg.

The 14-slot 4U MicroTCA system under test was populated with 12 double AdvancedMC modules and two filler modules, resulting in a total system weight of 11.5kg.

The testing was carried out in accordance with IEC 60068-2-6 (vibration tests) and IEC 60068-2-27 (shock resistance tests).

The German Navy has contracted with Rheinmetall Defence to supply MASS naval protection systems for two of its minehunter vessels. MASS stands for 'Multi Ammunition Softkill System'. Under an immediate operational requirement order, one MJ 333-class vessel and one HL 352-class vessel are to be equipped with a MASS two-launcher configuration system with integrated detection unit by May 2008. The total order is worth some &uro;10 million. Following successful sea trials, the German Ministry of Defence turned to Rheinmetall in 2007 to have four of its F123-class frigates immediately equipped with this technology prior to deploying to the Eastern Mediterranean.

VICTORIA-Ship design and production engineering companies who recognize the competitive advantages of collaborative shipbuilding project development will welcome the much-anticipated arrival of ShipConstructor Software Inc(SSI) Split and Merge enterprise solution, announced today by Rolf G. Oetter, President and CEO. "Split and Merge is a critical strategic tool that makes it easy to outsource portions of a project to specialized subcontractors while main-taining overall control and concurrent engineering through periodic merges," said Oetter. "SSI's Split and Merge database manage- ment system is a very easy-to-use way to parcel out distinct design/production module development assignments to skilled teams anywhere in the world.

SENER, together with Navantia and others partners, were present at the presentation of the Intership Project results to the European Commission (EC) and the medium and small companies of the marine industry. The sessions took place during the last December in Delft (Holland). In addition to the presentations of each Intership Subproject, leaded by the main project partners (Navantia, Fincantieri, Aker Yards, Meyer Weft, etc), six discussion tables were arranged in order to show and debate the results exposed. SENER took part in one of these tables carrying out presentations of the new Ship Spaces Management Tool (SSMT), aim of the Subproject I-4 (Early Design Methods and Tools).

Situated for over 40 years on its original site in Lugano, in the south of Switzerland, Trasfor has developed a global reputation for the design and manufacture of custom-built dry-type transformers and inductors. As an independent company the spirit of Trasfor comes from the heart and traditions of Switzerland. This affinity is shared by the owners, employees and all parties associated with the company. The reputation for providing quality and guaranteeing reliability has lead to many of the world's more demanding industries becoming regular users of Trasfor's transformers and inductors and transformed the company into the global business that we are today.

Princetel is a US manufacturer of Fiber Optic Rotary Joints (FORJs), slip rings and connectors. The company offers single-channel, dual-channel, and multiple-channel fiber optic rotary joints. All FORJ products have excellent insertion-loss and return-loss performances. Crosstalk is extremely low for multiple-channel FORJs. Single-mode and multi-mode fibers are both standard choices. They can both be used in the same device for dual and multiple channel fiber optic rotary joints. Princetel also offers high-performance multiple-channel fiber optic connectors for both surface and underwater applications. SINGLE-CHANNEL FIBER OPTIC ROTARY JOINTS Single-channel fiber optic rotary joints are extremely rugged devices designed to handle environmental extremes such as low temperature of -40ºC, water emersion, high pressure and unusual vibration and impact.

Dinrack Modular Systems manufactures floor-standing racks, sub-racks and their accessories to IEC 297 and DIN 41494 standards. We serve both the defence and civil industries. ELECTRONIC WARFARE SYSTEM RACKS Our most prominent products for the defence industry are ruggedised and EMI / RFI-protected racks for electronic warfare systems. They are suitable for naval, air force and army applications. Dinrack has supplied: Submarine racks for navies which enter through 600mm submarine-hatches Ship racks customised for individual naval requirements Racks for tracked vehicles (including shelter racks and tank-mounted racks) ATR racks for air forces Ground-control racks RUGGEDISED MILITARY RACKS Our latest rugged military rack for electronic warfare systems has dimensions of 500mm x 320mm x 1628mm, and can enter a submarine hatch 2ft in diameter.

Between 1980 and 1989, 13 Hunt Class minesweepers and minehunters of the UK's Royal Navy were commissioned. Eight remain in service with the Royal Navy and are being significantly upgraded. "Hunt Class are the largest warships of Glass-Reinforced Plastic (GRP) construction." HMS Ledbury (M30), Cattistock (M31), Brocklesby (M33), Chiddingfold (M35), Atherstone (M38), Hurworth (M39) and Quorn (M41) were built by Vosper Thorneycroft at Woolston. HMS Middleton (M34) was built by Yarrow Shipbuilders in Glasgow. The vessels are based at Portsmouth and Faslane. Two vessels, Bicester (M36) and Berkely (M40), have been transferred to the Greek Navy and renamed Europa and Callisto.

South Africa placed a contract for three Type 209/1400 submarines in July 2000 on Howaldtswerke-Deutche Werft (HDW) and Thyssen Nordseewerke. The Type 209/1400 displaces 1,450t surfaced and 1,600t dived. The Type 209/1400 submarines replace the French-built Daphne Class submarines, SAS Spear, SAS Assegai and SAS Umkhonto which were decommissioned in 2003. The first submarine, SAS Manthatisi (S101), was built by Howaldtswerke at Kiel. It was launched in June 2004 and commissioned in November 2005. The second and third submarines were built by Thyssen Nordseewerke in Emden. The SAS Charlotte Maxeke (S102) was launched in May 2005 and commissioned in March 2007.

In December 2001, Germany placed an order for five K130 corvettes based on the MEKO A design from the Arge K130 consortium. The Arge K130 consortium consists of ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems Blohm +Voss in Hamburg (lead yard) and Nordseewerke in Emden, with Friedrich Lurssen Werft based in Bremen. The corvettes replace the German Navy's Tiger Class and Albatross Class missile fast patrol boats which no longer meet operational requirements. The K130 corvettes will be based at Warnemunde. Keel-laying of the first of five new K130 corvettes for the German Navy began in December 2003. The first and the fourth corvette were built by Blohm + Voss, the second and fifth by Lürssen and the third by Nordseewerke.