A photonics mast (or ''
optronics
Optoelectronics (or optronics) is the study and application of electronic devices and systems that find, detect and control light, usually considered a sub-field of photonics. In this context, ''light'' often includes invisible forms of radiatio ...
mast''
[ BBC News Scotland, ]
A vision of evolving technologies
' 30 August 2007, 13:06 GMT) is a sensor on a
submarine
A submarine (or sub) is a watercraft capable of independent operation underwater. It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability. The term is also sometimes used historically or colloquially to refer to remotely op ...
which functions similarly to a
periscope without requiring a periscope tube, thus freeing design space during construction and limiting risks of water leakage in the event of damage. A photonics mast replaces the mechanical,
line-of-sight viewing system with digital equipment, similar to a
digital camera array, and it has fewer locational and dimensional constraints than a traditional periscope.
Unlike a periscope, it need not be located directly above its user, and it requires only a small
pressure hull penetration for cabling. This allows the photonics mast to fit entirely within the
sail
A sail is a tensile structure—which is made from fabric or other membrane materials—that uses wind power to propel sailing craft, including sailing ships, sailboats, windsurfers, ice boats, and even sail-powered land vehicles. Sails may ...
of the submarine and means the control room need not be placed directly below the sail.
A photonics mast operates by rising above the water in a manner similar to a
telescoping antenna and provides information through an array of sensors, such as
high-definition low-light and
thermographic cameras. Images and information can appear on display panels for analysis. The photonics mast can also support the
navigation,
electronic warfare, and
communications functions of a conventional optical-periscope mast.
Photonics masts by country
Chinese Navy
At least the Type 039B/C submarines are fitted with photonics masts.
[
]
French Navy
The
Marine Nationale's new nuclear attack submarines, the
''Suffren'' class, comes with an optronics mast with the following sensors:
* High resolution day camera
* 3rd generation
MWIR camera in 3-5 µm band
*
Low light level camera (LLLTV) for night use in the visible spectrum with anti-glare system
*
Laser rangefinder
A laser rangefinder, also known as a laser telemeter, is a rangefinder that uses a laser beam to determine the distance to an object. The most common form of laser rangefinder operates on the time of flight principle by sending a laser pulse in ...
The mast is manufactured by
Sagem (now
Safran
Safran S.A. is a French multinational company that designs, develops and manufactures aircraft engines, rocket engines as well as various aerospace and defense-related equipment or their components. It was formed by a merger between SNECMA and ...
). The same mast can be found on the export oriented conventional attack submarines made by
Naval Group.
Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
The
Sōryū-class submarine is equipped with the CM010 optronics mast.
Royal Navy
The
Royal Navy tested an optronic mast on the in 1998.
nuclear attack submarines are equipped with two
Thales CM010 optronics mast similar in capabilities to the
Sagem model in French use.
Russian Navy
The
Yasen and
Borei-class submarines are fitted with photonics masts developed by
Shvabe
Shvabe Holding (russian: Швабе) is a holding company within the Russian state-owned Rostec group responsible for development and production of high-tech optical-electronic systems both for military and civil purposes, manufacturing of optical ...
, a subsidiary of
Rostec
Rostec ( rus, Ростех, p=, r=Rostekh), officially the State Corporation for Assistance to Development, Production and Export of Advanced Technology Industrial Product Rostec (russian: Государственная корпорация по ...
.
[
] The Elektropribor Central Research Institute has also developed the ''Parus-98'' photonics mast for the conventional
Lada-class submarines and the export market (''Parus-98E'').
[
][
]
United States Navy
In 2004, the
United States Navy began fitting photonics masts to s.
[How Photonics Masts Will Work]
According to the US Navy:
[
]
In ''Virginia''-class boats, traditional periscopes have been supplanted by two Photonics Masts that house color, high-resolution black and white, and infrared digital cameras atop telescoping arms. With the removal of the barrel periscopes, the ships’ control room has been moved down one deck and away from the hull’s curvature, affording it more room and an improved layout that provides the commanding officer
The commanding officer (CO) or sometimes, if the incumbent is a general officer, commanding general (CG), is the officer in command of a military unit. The commanding officer has ultimate authority over the unit, and is usually given wide latitu ...
with enhanced situational awareness.
References
External links
US Navy Fact Sheet, Attack Submarines
- from HowStuffWorks
{{DEFAULTSORT:Photonics Mast
Submarine design
Optoelectronics
Submarine components