RON II Camera System Under Review

BlueZone Group is conducting a review of the RON II Camera System installed in the COLLINS Class submarine. Originally designed by UVS in early-2000s, the RON II Camera System provides video from a Kongsberg OE14-112 Camera fitted externally to the submarine pressure hull. The camera features zoom capability (both optical and digital) plus remote focus as well as rotate and tilt functions.

The complete system design includes camera mounting bracket, underwater junction box, underwater connectors and rack mounted equipment. Materials for components in contact with sea water were selected to minimise the risk of dissimilar metal corrosion. Through hull penetrations were Souriau-type which are the standard connectors used with Collins Class wiring. Space constraints in the submarine Control Room required careful design engineering to ensure that the installation envelope was not exceed for operation or maintenance of the rack mounted equipment.

BlueZone Group General Manager Perth, Mark Musarra, said that it was pleasing to understand the RON II Camera System had become a reliable component of the COLLINS Class submarine and that there where a number of options for upgrade and improvement of the systems. “The Kongsberg Camera supplied by BlueZone Group has been very reliable”, said Mark, “and the fast-paced developments of video technology mean that improvements in the rack system will likely offer increased functionality in a smaller footprint and with a reduced power load”.

BlueZone Group repairs and maintains Kongsberg cameras for many customers and is experienced in repair of the cameras at component level.