On January 15, the government adopted a resolution on the construction of the lead nuclear icebreaker, project 10510 "Leader". The project is already ready, and financing for construction is opening this year. In a few years, the vessel will be operational and will give our economy new opportunities in the Arctic. All these results will be obtained through the use of modern technologies and promising solutions.
Participants and dates
The design of the prospective atomic icebreaker project 10510 / "Leader" / LK-120Ya started several years ago and was carried out by several organizations. Central Design Bureau "Iceberg" became the lead developer. OKBM them. I. I. Afrikantova was responsible for the development of a nuclear power plant. Part of the research and design work was undertaken by the Krylov State Scientific Center. This is not the first time these organizations have united to create a new vessel, but this time they had to develop a particularly large-scale project.
By now, almost all major work has been completed. Various tests and designs have been carried out over the years. For example, since 2017, KGNTs has repeatedly tested an icebreaker hull model simulating various conditions and different ice thicknesses. The prototypes successfully coped with the task and followed the tanker models.
In accordance with government decree No. 11 of January 15, 2020, the state customer of the new construction is the state corporation Rosatom. FSUE Atomflot, which is responsible for the operation of the entire Russian fleet of nuclear icebreakers, was appointed as the developer. The vessel will be laid down at the Zvezda shipyard in Bolshoy Kamen.
Budget investments in the construction of the head "Leader" will begin this year. The funding schedule is planned for 2020-27. Accordingly, the date of delivery of the vessel is set in 2027. The total cost of the icebreaker is 127,577 million rubles.
Technical features
The task of the "Leader" will be year-round work on the Northern Sea Route in order to ensure navigation and pilotage of military, merchant or scientific vessels. This is associated with a number of characteristic technical requirements, the fulfillment of which is associated with the use of modern and promising technologies.
In accordance with the terms of reference, the icebreaker project 10510 must overcome ice at least 4 m thick in constant motion at a minimum speed. For ice 2 m thick, the constant speed is set at 12 knots. The need for pilotage of large vessels has led to high requirements for the width of the hull. It was also required to ensure high autonomy in terms of reserves and a service life of 40 years.
According to the project, the new nuclear icebreaker should have a length of 209 m with a maximum width of approx. 48 m. Full displacement - more than 71 thousand tons. Like other ships of its class, "Leader" gets a characteristic high superstructure. The bow deck is closed. A helipad is organized at the stern; there are also places for the installation of special equipment or weapons.
The power plant for project 10510 is being built on the basis of two pressurized water reactors RITM-400 with a thermal power of 315 MW each. The new type of reactor was created on the basis of the RITM-200 product for icebreakers of the LK-60Ya type. With maximum unification with its predecessor, RITM-400 has twice the power. Service life - 40 years, if it is necessary to replace the fuel in 5-7 years.
Electricity from the nuclear power plant will be supplied to four engines driving four constant-pitch propellers. The total power on the shafts is 120 MW. The vessel will be able to reach a maximum speed of 22-24 knots (in clear water); canals will be laid at lower speeds. The cruising range is practically unlimited.
The vessel will receive a complex of modern radio-electronic equipment ensuring efficient navigation in all latitudes and in various conditions. Also, the means of observation of the situation, communications, etc. will be used.
In the aft part of the hull, there are places for placing cargo or special equipment. To work with cargoes "Leader" will receive two cranes. Due to the payload in the aft compartment, the icebreaker will be able to solve research, rescue or other tasks. Also, the possibility of installing weapons is not excluded - if there are appropriate threats.
The ship will be operated by a crew of 130 people. If necessary, the icebreaker will be able to take on board a research group or other passengers. The autonomy for provisions stocks is set at 8 months. Like other domestic nuclear icebreakers, the new Leader will feature improved living conditions for the crew and passengers.
Project 10510 / LK-120Ya provides for the construction of the largest and heaviest nuclear icebreaker in domestic and world practice. Such a vessel will be significantly larger and several times heavier than other modern icebreakers, which will provide advantages in basic characteristics. In fact, Atomflot will have at its disposal a unique tool for solving special tasks in the harsh conditions of the Arctic.
However, the construction of the Leader icebreakers may be associated with certain difficulties. The project is highly complex and requires the combined efforts of a range of industries. In addition, it places special demands on shipbuilders. Finally, the new vessels have record prices. For comparison, the icebreakers of the project LK-60Ya currently under construction cost about 50 billion rubles.
Benefits for the economy
A few years ago, before the completion of the development of project 10510, the goals and objectives of the new icebreaker became known. In addition, its potential and impact on sea transport in the Arctic was actively discussed. According to various calculations, a nuclear-powered icebreaker of the "Leader" type will be able to significantly affect the operation of the Northern Sea Route and increase its main indicators. The emergence of several such courts will further affect the economy.
A favorable combination of the main characteristics and dimensions will allow the Leader to carry vessels up to 35-40 m wide and up to 180-200 thousand deadweight tons through the ice. First of all, ice-class tankers or gas carriers are expected to be escorted. Depending on different conditions, the passage of vessels along the entire length of the Northern Sea Route behind the icebreaker pr. 10510 will take no more than 15-20 days.
Thus, the emergence of a new heavy nuclear icebreaker will speed up transportation along the Northern Sea Route and optimize their economic component. Ultimately, this will have a positive effect on the overall cargo turnover. Our country will be able to increase its transportation and trade, as well as make money on ensuring the passage of other people's ships.
According to known calculations, the optimal performance of the Northern Sea Route can be obtained if there are three nuclear-powered icebreakers of the "Leader" type. The construction of two serial ships is still attributed to the distant future - their service will begin no earlier than the thirties. The receipt of three heavy icebreakers will allow Atomflot to realize all the advantages of both the vessels themselves and the strategically important Arctic routes.
Icebreakers of the future
"Leaders" will be able to influence the economy only in the distant future, but for now the main task of the industry is to prepare for the construction of the lead ship. This process is already being completed, and work will soon begin on assembling the first hull units of the future icebreaker. The construction will be completed in the middle of the decade, then the necessary tests will be carried out and the icebreaker will be handed over to the customer. By the time of its delivery in 2027, the industry should start building two production vessels.
As a result of this construction, by the mid-thirties our country will have three outstanding icebreakers in all respects - not counting a number of other modern ships of this class. The expected results will be based on the newest and most promising technologies and developments in various fields. They will determine the future of the Northern Sea Route and the development of the Arctic as a whole.
