On Wednesday, Chinese state Shipbuilding Corporation started to build China’s first self-developed icebreakers at the shipyards in Shanghai, which is expected to begin its first scientific expedition to Antarctica next year.
In the building berth of the shipyard Jiangnan, br / > 2 xuelong, or Snow Dragon 2, will be built by connecting different sections. Using computer simulation, the case will be divided into 114 sections, which are then assembled into 11 parts and then joined together from bow to stern and from the bottom up.
After that, the submarine will be painted and equipped with scientific equipment of the expedition at the pier.
In accordance with the schedule, Snow Dragon 2 will leave the dock in August 2018, following procedures such as interior design, equipment and control systems and mooring experiments.
It is expected to be commissioned in the first half of 2019 to ally with the only force in the country br / > xuelong icebreaker to conduct scientific research missions in the polar regions.
The recently built vessel will significantly improve performance in icy areas, as this can break the ice using either the nose or aft. This will be the first icebreaker in the world for scientific research in the polar regions, use a two-way icebreaking technology.
The ship will be able to break 1.5-meter thick ice and kept at a temperature of -30 C. it has good mobility and includes strict measures to protect the environment.
It can quickly change direction in the ice zones, which greatly enhances safety in difficult conditions of the Antarctic offshore areas.
The basic design of the snow Dragon 2 was completed in Finland, detail design, preparation of production and analysis of domestic institutions and companies.
“The project is not just the acquisition of designs and drawings from foreign companies,” Wu gang, chief designer of the Snow Dragon 2, said.
In the construction of the first in China in the domestic market built icebreaker, “this is the way that we’ve never been,” said Wu. “So we decided to work with a partner to ensure its smooth operation”.
The state Council said that in 2015 the project icebreaker “jointly developed by domestic and foreign experts, but also self-built house.” China owns the intellectual property rights Snow Dragon 2, according to Wu.
Sourse: sputniknews.com
