SA Icebreakers
This page contains the technical information and basic history of icebreakers built for countries of the Salidan Altiverse. (Full history can be found on respective polar program pages).
Additionaly, ground equipment and aircraft used in SA polar operations are also featured on this page, towards the bottom.
Contents
Icebreakers in service
Denton Antarctic Survey
Eitu and Alessia
- Builder: East Haven National Shipyard (Lock Haven, Denton)
- Build Date: 1982 (Eitu) / 1984 (Alessia)
- Launched: 1987 (Eitu) / 1989 (Alessia)
- Length: 133.5m
- Beam: 28.5
- Draught: 9.4m
- Max Speed: 18kt max, 3knt in 2.5m ice
- Propulsion: 6x diesel engines 3.8MW, 2x D&H gas turbine 30.2MW (outboard props), turning 3x 5.2m 4-blade props in a CODLOG configuration
- Ice Class: LL9
- Tonnage: 17,300 tons
- Endurance: 7.0 months
- Complement: 42 crew, 50 (Eitu)/ 80 (Alessia) scientists, 40 passengers, 12 (Eitu)/ 18 (Alessia) rotorcraft detachment
- Aircraft Carried: 2 Donnalley G.3 gyrodyne (both) and 1 Worth U21P (Alessia)
New IB
- Builder:
- Build Date: 2011
- Launched: 2018
- Length: 174.5m
- Beam: 34.5
- Draught: 11.0m
- Max Speed: 18kt max, 3knt in 2.5m ice
- Propulsion: 2x nuclear reactors,
- Ice Class: LL9
- Tonnage: 33,700 tons
- Endurance: 8.0 months
- Complement: 90 crew, 80 scientists, 40 passengers, 18 rotorcraft detachment
- Aircraft Carried: 2 Donnalley G.3 gyrodyne and 1 Worth U21P
Royal Salidan Antarctic Commission
Mor-Anann
- Builder: Kerrach-Rathes Co. Ltd. (Seiskin, Salide)
- Build Date: 1991
- Launched: 1993
- Length: 139.3m (142.65m to rear bumper)
- Beam: 28.2m
- Draught: 9.0m
- Max Speed: 20kt max, 3knt in 2m ice
- Propulsion: 2x nuclear reactors, 3x D&H steam turbines (14MW each) turning 3x 5.5m 4-blade props (42MW total)
- Ice Class: LL8
- Tonnage: 20,500 tons
- Endurance: 7.5 months
- Complement: 134 crew, 80 scientists, 30 passengers, 18 rotorcraft detachment
- Aircraft Carried: 2 Donnalley G.3 gyrodyne and 1 Worth U21P.
Tir-Bauth
Tir-Bauth is a medium icebreaker
- Builder: Kerrach-Rathes Co. Ltd. (Seiskin, Salide)
- Build Date: 1998
- Launched: 2000
Fuil-Etain
Fuil-Etain is a light icebreaker used for research in the north, being based in Claddagh, Salide.
- Builder: Kerrach-Rathes Co. Ltd. (Seiskin, Salide)
- Build Date: 2002
- Launched: 2003
Texas Polar Research Institute
Agustín Muñoz
Named after the first Texan to set foot on Antarctica, during the 1939 Denton-Hellas Antarctic Expedition. The Muñoz is a sister ship to the RSAC Tir-Bauth, ordered within 2 years of each other. The Muñoz is stationed in Rhone, Denton and works with the TPRI Antarctic branch. The Muñoz is Texas' first Icebreaker.
- Builder: hull built by Kerrach-Rathes Co. Ltd. (Seiskin, Salide), outfitted by San Jacinto Shipyard (Houston, Texas)
- Build Date: 2000
- Launched: 2003
- Length:
- Beam:
- Draught:
- Max Speed:
- Propulsion: 4x D&H diesel engines 2.7MW, powering two electric motors.
- Ice Class:
- Tonnage:
- Endurance:
- Complement:
- Aircraft Carried: 1 Donnalley G.3 gyrodyne and 1 Worth U21P.
Icebreakers out of service
Denton Antarctic Survey
Royal Salidan Antarctic Commission
Salide
Laid down 1960, completed in 1963. First ship to reach the north pole in 1974. Salide was accompanied to the pole by Priteni, though Priteni reached the north pole 2 hours after Salide.
Priteni
Laid down 1964, completed 1972
Belgae
Gothic
Aircraft
Donnalley G.3 Gyrodyne
The G.3 Gyrodyne was first introduced in 1963, by Donnalley Aerospace of Tramor, Salide. The initial design has seen many upgrades through the years, the most prominent of which is the silencers added to the rotor tip-jets, which reduced the noise from 115db to 95db. The implementation of more powerful engines and two forward facing propellors driven by the main engines to create quick forward movement have made the G.3 the most popular light helicopter in the United Antarctic Programme.
- Crew: 1-2
- Capacity: 7 passengers or 1000kg internally, 1200kg on external sling
- Cruise Speed: 280kmh
- Range: 600km
- Hover Ceiling: 4200m
Worth U21P
The Worth U21 is a Texan mid-size helicopter, with a capability similar to that of a Bell 412 or Kamov 27. The base aircraft model was introduced in 1980, with a polar variant introduced in 1984. It is equipped with a co-axial rotor configuration and 4 wheel landing gear.
- Crew: 2
- Capacity: 16 passengers or 3500kg internally or 4000kg on external sling
- Cruise Speed: 205kmh
- Range: 1030km
- Hover Ceiling: 5000m
Ground Equipment
Salidan and Dentonite vehicles are painted entirely in orange, while Texan vehicles are painted entirely in red or with a red and blue paint scheme. Beginning in 2006, the red and orange colours are mixed with glass to present a highly reflective surface that can be illuminated with just a handheld torch or even the moon, under optimal conditions.
Prudhomme AET Snow Tractor
The Antarctic Exploration Tractor is a mobile lab and dormitory used the DAS and RSAC. It is manufactured at the Prudhomme factory in Komoran-Piaski, Denton. The AET has been manufacturered through 4 generations spanning 60 years. The 1st generation AET was built in 1960, inspired by the Soviet Kharovchankas. The design was simple with an artillery tractor cab in front and a large box housing accomodations and laboratory spaces in rear. The 2nd generation of AETs featured an entirely enclosed cab and living area, a redesigned chassis, and a more powerful engine. This second generation design was introduced in 1968, which the Soviets eventually took inspiration from for their 2nd generation Kharkovchankas. These 2nd generation AET designs soldiered on until 1995, when they were upgraded to 3rd generation (and several new 3rd gen units were produced). The 3rd generation featured upgraded living spaces and a more powerful engine. The 4th generation upgrade took place in 2019-2020, which again added a more powerful engine, further refined living spaces and the addition of up-to-date modern technologies including remote control capability for additional support tractors.
There are three 1st generation AETs working as cargo tractors, eight 4th generation AET cargo tractors, and twenty three 4th generation AETs working with Salide, Denton, and Texas, under the UAP banner.
- Length: 9.3m
- Width: 3.8m
- Height: 4.0m
- Engine: AIW 840kW, 2300Nm V8 bi-turbo (4th generation upgrade)
- Cruise Speed: 30kmh
- Weight: 35 tonnes
- Tow Load: 70 tonnes
- Interior Floor Space: 30m2
- Accomodations: 8 bunks
With the 4th generation upgrades (2019), the AETs have built-in support for remotely controlling two Maccallan SnowTracs, allowing them to accompany an AET without requiring additional drivers.
Maccallan Beira Altrac
Named after the Salidan goddess of winter, the Beira is similar in dimensions and capability to the Sisu Nasu. It is a small articulated vehicle, primarily used for passenger transport. It is fully amphibious and able to haul 5 passengers in front (in addition to the driver) and 12 passengers in the rear unit. The rear passenger transport unit can be swapped for a flatbed with a crane, for light cargo duties.
Altrac is an acronym, All Terrain Amphibious Carrier.
The first Beira Altrac was built in 1984, and offered for purchase in 1985.
Maccallan SnowTrac
Designed and built by Maccallan Equipment Co., based in Ballyveagh, Salide and produced under license by Oshiro Motors in Denton.
Used for transporting cargo via sledges or by spanning loads between two SnowTracs. The 3rd generation (2017) SnowTracs are capable of being controlled from a neighbouring unit, with up to two additional units being controlled from one SnowTrac cabin (through a built in controller system) by either the driver or a passenger.
Maccallan QuadTrac Polar
The Maccallan QuadTrac is a standard agricultural tractor. The DAS expressed interest in a large sledge tractor to haul components and supplies to and from its Bentley Station and Dome A Station and Telescope. Maccallan responded with an adaptation of the QuadTracP for use in the extreme Antarctic climes, with the primary changes being a larger fuel tank (bringing total capacity to 3000l), optimisation to run on the DAS Biofuel Blend, and a new heavly insulated cab that can hold up to 3 people. The new cab contains a fold down table along the back wall, with some small cabinets behind, which contain food stores, as well as small basic kitchen appliances. A self-contained toilet system is located underneath the folding table. The seats for the driver and passengers can fold down almost flat, providing a temporary bunk, allowing for drivers to switch without stopping.
While Maccallan does not offer its standard agricultural models with remote control, the QuadTrac Polar model was retrofitted with remote control capabilities in 2017, as is equipped in the SnowTrac. However, only one QuadTracP can be operated from the cab of another. Two SnowTracs can be controlled remotely from the cab of a QuadTracP, though not in conjunction with another remote QuadTracP.
The QuadTrac was introduced in 1992 and a Polar variant introduced in 1994.
- Length: 7.4m
- Width: 3.5m
- Height: 3.8m
- Engine: Maccallan 500kW I6 bi-turbo
- Cruise Speed: 20kmh
- Weight: 26 tonnes
- Fuel Capacity: 3000 litres
LeTourneau Antarctic Overland Train
The LeTourneau Antarctic Overland Train is an off-road, over-land articulated cargo carrier. It is the longest off-road vehicle in the world, able to reach a length of 192m through the use of a leading front unit, 10 cargo trailers, and two independent power units (placed in the middle and at the end).
The first AOTs were to be delivered to Siple Island Station to assist in the construction of the stations which would make up the Bentley Traverse in Marby Land in 1963. However, issues with transportation and some issues that arose from testing delayed the arrival of AOT-1 until 1964, and AOT-2 until 1965. AOT-1 and AOT-2 are owned by the Denton Antarctic Survey.
The third model, AOT-3 was purchased by the Denton Antarctic Survey, but given on permanent loan to the United States Antarctic Program in McMurdo. This was done to first assist in construction of the geodesic dome station at Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station and later for the elevated station beginning construction in 1999.
A fourth AOT, AOT-4 was purchased by the United Antarctic Programme as a joint venture and deployed to Novak Station, in the Larsemann Hills, in 1998, to assist in construction of the Dome A Observatory Station. It was at this time that AOT-2, at Siple Island, was shipped to Novak Station.
Due to the massive size of the Antarctic Overland Trains, they are continuously based at their home Antarctic station, with select units or components being packed and shipped to Texas only when an overhaul or major maintenance is required. The AOTs may go through multiple seasons in which they are not used, except for when they need to be repositioned to prevent being snowed in place.
Second generation upgrades were completed on all units between 2005 and 2013. These upgrades included the removal of the original Caddo V12 engines and their replacement with brand new Caddo V8 bi-turbo engines, which were lighter, produced more power, and used less fuel, therefore increasing the range of the AOTs. Other life extension upgrades were done, which included new electric motors and control systems, new tyres which were reformulated and optimised for the Antarctic conditions (using computer modelling), and a completely redesigned cockpit.
Front Unit Specifications
- Length: 14.6m
- Width: 5.0m
- Height: 5.5m
- Engine: 2x Caddo 520kW V12 turbo; 2nd generation upgrade - 2x Caddo 640kW V8 bi-turbo
- Cruise/Max Speed: 30kmh/40kmh
- Weight: typical 35 tonnes; 45 tonnes with internal fuel tanks at full capacity for increased range (at reduced speed of 20kmh to prevent tyre overheating)
- Crew: 3 - driver, mechanic, co-driver
Power Unit Specifications
- Length: 13.1m
- Width: 5.0m
- Height: 4.4m
- Engine: 2x Caddo 520kW V12 turbo; 2nd generation upgrade - 2x Caddo 640kW V8 bi-turbo
- Weight: typical 25 tonnes; 35 tonnes with internal fuel tanks at full capacity for increased range (at reduced speed of 20kmh to prevent tyre overheating)
Trailer Specifications
- Length: 13.1m
- Width: 5.0m
- Height: 4.2m
- Weight: empty 10 tonnes; typical load - 15 tonnes; max load - 30 tonnes (at reduced speed of 20kmh to prevent tyre overheating)
