Monday, December 2, 2013

Arihant SSBN Reload Nuclear Core Goes Critical

Arihant SSBN at the time of its launch in 2009

On December 2, 2013, Deccan Herald reported that the replacement core of Arihant’s nuclear reactor had attained criticality on October 11, 2013 at the secretive P4 facility  inside the Bhabha Atomic Research Center in Mumbai.

“The reload core would be fitted into the Arihant at the time of refueling, which may come after 7-8 years depending on the journey the submarine undertook. At the time of refueling, the entire core will be changed,” a nuclear scientist told Deccan Herald.

The core of a nuclear reactor is the component where controlled nuclear fission takes place producing heat, which is used to generate steam and, in turn, drive generators to produce electrical power to propel the submarine and meet its other energy requirements.

In November 2013, CNS DK Joshi told NDTV that INS Arihant would soon set sail for her sea trials and would be commissioned by end 2014.

In September 2013 Frontier India reported that diving trials of the sub have been deferred awaiting the arrival of a Bester-1 Deep Submergence Rescue vehicle (DSRV) ordered from Russia's Admiralty Shipyard.

Earlier in December 2010, the Indian Navy had initiated procurement of 2 free Swimming DSRVs by floating request for information. Russia's Admiralty Shipyards (Bester-1 rescue submersible) and Britain's James Fisher and Sons PLC are in contention for the contract.

The reactor of the submarine went critical on Friday, August 9, 2013. ( PTI )

For additional details on the Arihant please visit the link

INS Arihant SSBN (IDP Sentinel)

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