USC has begun sea trials of the nuclear-powered icebreaker Siberia It will take three weeks to check the mechanisms and equipment of the icebreaker. This was announced on Tuesday by the United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC).
The tests will check the operation of the ship's main systems. In particular, specialists will test the steam turbine plant, the ship's electric propulsion system and deck mechanisms. The USC noted that an important stage of testing will be the verification of the helicopter complex, navigation and communication systems.
The message stressed that the ships of Project 22220 are the largest icebreaking ships in the world. They are designed for year-round navigation in the Western Arctic.
Earlier, US Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mallorcas noted the lack of icebreakers in the country. There are two aging ships left in the United States. The head of the department emphasized that the administration of US President Joe Biden is working on a budget request to increase the icebreaker fleet.
In October, the deputy chief of the logistics staff of the Russian Armed Forces, Andrei Efimov, spoke about the development of the auxiliary fleet. According to him, five icebreakers will be built in the country by 2033.
The Siberia nuclear icebreaker was laid down in May 2015, and the ship was launched in September 2017. The ship can break through the ocean ice and work in the riverbed.