He Ministry of National Defense of Chile indicated in his Public Account 2024 the progress status of the projects Pillan II, Antarctica I and Hatch IVhighlighting that in addition to strengthening the capabilities of the Defense sector, these initiatives allow promoting scientific-technological development in the country and safeguarding the well-being of citizens through joint work with other State actors.
According to the portfolio, the execution of strategic projects, for the benefit of the development of the Force, not only reinforce Chile’s response capacity in safeguarding its sovereignty, but are also a great boost in national research and technological advancement. diversifying the productive matrix and reducing the strategic dependence of our country.
In the field of shipbuilding, Shipyards and Shipyards of the Navy (Asmar) is in the completion and equipping work afloat of the icebreaker AGB-46 Admiral Viel. The ship is the first of its kind built in the South Pacific and will allow logistics, search and rescue, scientific research and resupply of Chile’s bases in Antarctica.
The project Antarctica Ithe name given to the construction of this unit, is currently in the testing stage that will allow its performance to be verified and parameters to be analyzed, such as speed, maneuverability and operation of electronic systems, before its delivery to the Chilean Navy which is scheduled for July 3 of this year.
Multipurpose vessel
The second strategic project that is currently underway at the Asmar industrial plant Talcahuano is Hatch IV Phase I which contemplates the construction of the first of two multipurpose vessels out of a total of four that will allow the institution to reinforce its work and carry out tasks in its different mission areas, both in military and humanitarian operations.
The progress of this initiative constitutes a milestone within the framework of the Continuous National Naval Construction Plan of the Chilean Navy and consolidates a development and innovation program in this area that will generate a great social and economic impact, especially in the Biobío Region.
The vessels will be 110 m long, 21.8 m wide, have a displacement of 7,987 tons and will be able to operate 187 days a year. In addition, they will have a hangar and flight deck for helicopters and unmanned vertical takeoff and landing vehicles. (VTOL) and will have the capacity to move cargo with a crane and transport containers and heavy and passenger vehicles.
The progress status of the project Hatch IV Phase I It is going according to plan and the delivery date for the first multipurpose ship will be 2027 and for the second amphibious ship it is projected for 2030.
Pillan II
The project Pillan II which is led by the National Aeronautics Company (Enaer) and its subsidiary Development of Technologies and Systems (DTS). it’s a Integrated Flight Training System composed of aircraft and peripheral subsystems that help the teaching-learning process and the maintenance of flight equipment with state-of-the-art technological means.
The project Pillan II It is part of one of the most relevant strategic objectives of the Strategic Plan 2023-2027 by Enaer. Furthermore, it is a key part of the positioning as a reference for aeronautics in Latin America, being a clear alternative for the design and development of aeronautical equipment, both civil and military.
Pillan II It will allow the pilot-student, who begins his flight learning process, to be placed in an environment that facilitates his progression in more sophisticated aircraft. Additionally, it includes instances of research and technological innovation in areas of priority interest such as generative design and topological optimization, additive manufacturing, special composite materials processes, predictive maintenance, extended reality and the generation of qualified jobs.
In 2023, Enaer completed the preliminary design that was approved by the Chilean Air Force (FACh). Regarding the development of peripherals, such as planning, simulation, debriefing and other complementary tools to the Instruction System which are the responsibility of DTS, also have the approved preliminary design.
A preliminary review of the detailed design will be carried out in the third quarter of 2024 (Pre-CDR), both in its aerial platform and in its land component, and in March 2025 the CDR will be carried out for the complete release of the manufacturing plans. Once these milestones are approved by the FACh, the manufacturing and assembly of the prototype aircraft will begin, to carry out the roll-out ceremony in December 2025.
