On June 10th , Ilya Muromets (Project 21180), a novel diesel-electric icebreaker was solemnly launched at the Admiralty Shipyard. In the last 50 years, it is the first icebreaker built for the Russian Navy and intended to support various task forces of Russian Northern Fleet in the Arctic. This ship has the displacement of 6000 tons and the endurance as high as 60 days. Ilya Muromets is designed to operate not only as an icebreaker but also as a sea-going tug and a patrol ship.
Project 21180 ice breaker is a new-generation ship with electric propulsion system developed by SET branch of the KSRC. The components of this electric propulsion system are as follows:
- 2×3500 kW propulsion motors
- 2 frequency converters
- Electric propulsion panel
- Main switchboard
- Propulsion system control unit
- Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)
- Panel of auxiliary electric drives
Electric propulsion system of this ice breaker offers high maneuverability, as well as flexibility in terms of power and torque: a critical requirement for successful operation in icy waters.
Commissioning and delivery of the ship to the Customer are scheduled for late 2017. As a result, Russian Navy will obtain a multi-purpose asset significantly enhancing the capabilities of Russian naval forces in the Arctic.
