The German navigation system manufacturer Raytheon Anschütz has supplied an advanced gyro compass system for two 25,000 dwt polar class heavy transport vessels.
The vessels, AUDAX and PUGNAX, were built at Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI) in China for Red Box Energy Services, which specialises in high-value offshore and onshore energy services. They have been deployed for module transportation for the Yamal LNG project in Russia.
Built in accordance with the demanding DNV NAUT-AW and highest ice class notations, the vessels use state-of-the-art Anschütz instrumentation that enable year round operation in the most challenging polar conditions – including temperatures of below -40°C.
Raytheon Anschütz has supplied these high-tech vessels with a comprehensive and advanced dual gyro compass system complete with redundancy in distribution and well as a stearing gear control system. This includes the top-of-the-range NP 5500 fully adaptive autopilot for maximum precision in heading and track control steering.
The gyro system integrates two maintenance-free, strap-down gyro compasses, which use hemispherical resonator gyros (HRG) for measuring angular rates. The new technology offers superior lifetime performance and outruns the long-term stability of traditional fibre-optical gyros (FOGs).
In addition, Anschütz gyro compasses have automatic speed and latitude error correction, an individual speed error correction mode, an independent transmitting magnetic compass path and quick settling.
Raytheon Anschütz GmbH is a subsidiary of the Raytheon Company and a leading integrator of maritime systems including bridge and navigation systems.
By Anne-Marie Causer
