Kockums Fights To Keep Prop Secrets From U.S.

Swedish submarine manufacturer Kockums Industrier AB, designer of Australia's new Collins class submarines, has taken legal action to stop Australia releasing its top secret submarine propeller design to the U.S. Navy. Kockums -- a wholly-owned subsidiary of Saab -- said it had taken federal court action to protect its intellectual property, fearing if the propeller was sent to the U.S. Navy for modifications, the design may be viewed by third parties and could leak to potential competitors. Submarine propeller technology is a closely guarded secret because it is a major factor in submarine noise emission. The quieter a submarine, the more effective it is as an attack craft. "A submarine's propeller is highly commercially-sensitive information and must be protected," Gunnar Ohlund, executive vice president of Kockums submarine division, said in a statement. "This is why propellers are covered up when they are not in the water." Ohlund also said Kockums had an obligation to protect Swedish defense, which was closely involved in developing the propeller design and technology used in the Collins class submarine. "The Collins submarine was based on technology developed by Kockums over many years working on programs for the Swedish navy. Kockums must ensure that their interests are also protected," he said. Ohlund said the legal action against the Australian government followed lengthy negotiations. Kockums wants confidentiality and license agreements in place before the propeller is sent to the U.S. Navy. "It was a tough decision to go to court against our friends, but we had no other choice," said Ohlund. Kockums court case is scheduled for March 15. In the interim Australia will go ahead and ship the propeller to the U.S. navy base in Norfolk, Virginia, but has agreed not to release the propeller until April 30. "If licensing agreements, etc don't work out then it will come back, but we think things will work out," said a defense spokesman. The United States is Australia's major defense ally. - (Reuters)