LONDON, Sept. 1 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news:
The NATO Submarine Rescue System (NSRS) has taken part in an exercise to prove it can be flown,by the Royal Air Force, toanywhere in the world.
A tri-national government capability jointly owned by France,Norwayand the UK, the NSRS is one of theworld'sleading submarine rescue capabilities.
Developed to be fully air-mobile, thisglobalcapability can evacuate stricken submariners from a submarinedisabled on the seabedat depths down to 610 metres.
With350 tonnes of unique equipment that needs 27 lorries and severalaircraftto mobilise, this exercisewas key to proving thesystemcan respond quickly.
An important part of the rapid response needed for a submarine emergency is transporting thesystemby roadtoanairport, which on this occasion was RAF Brize Norton.
A police escort was practised during the event, withevery police force between Glasgow and Brize Nortonused toprovide a constant blue light presencetothe convoy.
Once at Brize Norton,theSubmarine Rescue Vehicle, effectively a mini-submarine,was loaded ona simulator with the exact dimensions and deck arrangement of a C-17A Globemaster. Some of theheaviestsupport equipmentwasalsoloaded onto asimilar simulator for the A400MAtlasmilitarytransport aircraft.
Thiswas the first use oftheA400MAtlas for NSRStransportandmeans the aircraft can now be used by UK and NATO partner nations' air forces for future mobilisation, enhancing the ability for rapiddeploymentof NSRS. Both loading events were conductedby the specialistRAF team attheJoint Air Delivery Test and Evaluation Unit.
Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard MP said:
This is a piece of specialist equipment we hope never to have to use, but the ability to mobilise the NATO Submarine Rescue System at short notice to anywhere in the world is reassuring for the UK and our allies.
If a submarine is in trouble we will need to respond fast. Ensuring we have a tried and tested response is how we can be ready for any eventuality.
Captain Lyons RN, Operating Duty Holder fortheNSRS, who witnessed the operation, said:
Rescue of the crew from a stricken submarine will require numerous agencies to operateefficiently as one team, and this loading exercise on to a militaryaircraftis a vital aspect tomaintaintraining and currency for our RAF colleagues.
I was delighted to see them maintain efficient and close control of this unique vehicle that is relied upon by so many nations.
The exercise tempo for all parts of the system is relentless, as it must provide assurance to all our partner nations that the NSRS remains rescue ready.
The NSRS is delivered on behalf of the Royal Navy, Marine Nationale, and Norwegian Navy by the DNE's Submarine Delivery Group, with JFD Global as the service contractor.
Exerciseslike thishelpensure theNSRS teamremain qualifiedand provide assurance to our partner nations that the NSRS remains rescue ready.
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
