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World survey of AIP submarines
Sat 19 March 2016 By H I Sutton
There are currently over 50 AIP submarines in service around the world, with the number likely to double in the coming decade. The largest single operator is China.
Air-Independent Power (AIP) allows a submarine to run its electric motor and other electrical systems without using the batteries. It reduces the frequency with which the submarine has to put its mast above the surface to suck in air for the diesel engines to recharge the batteries. The submarine still has to snort for brief periods on most days in order to ventilate, but is much less exposed than conventional diesel-electric submarines. During operations, if the tactical situation prohibits ventilation then the submarine can delay snorting for much longer than normal. And it can revert to lighting oxygen candles (or equivalent) in dire situations. Therefore the submarine can remain submerged for much longer, giving the submarine commander much greater flexibility.
AIP is often described as Air-Independent Propulsion. This is no longer applicable as modern AIP Powers the electric motor rather than driving the propeller directly. Some historic and rare SDV systems are true Air-Independent Propulsion, but the term is outdated. As well as propelling the submarine, AIP provides lighting and electrical power for air-conditioning, refrigeration and other Hotel loads. Hence Air-Independent Power.
Initial systems were developed during World War Two but were not fielded operationally until the 1950s, and even then were mostly experimental. These early systems were often dangerous and got a bad reputation. As it transpired nuclear power held the key to unlimited endurance and first generation AIP fell from favor. It was only in the 1980s that the technology matured to the point that it could add days or even weeks to a submarine’s underwater endurance without being unacceptably dangerous or inefficient. There was never a huge appetite for AIP among the nuclear-sub equipped forces except from an export perspective (China may be the exception), but AIP promised a step-change in capability for conventional submarine forces. And AIP is not without its advantages over nuclear propulsion in some respects, particularly unit cost. AIP trades speed for stealth. On the down side it increases the size and displacement of the submarine, often involving an extra hull insert.
Today there are increasing numbers of AIP equipped submarines in service throughout the world, with more classes set to join several navies. Information on the topic is accessible but muddled with confusion between submarine types that are offered with AIP, and in-service units equipped with it. This article hopes to clarify some of these points.
http://www.hisutton.com/World survey of AIP submarines.html
Go to the page for further reading..
Sat 19 March 2016 By H I Sutton
There are currently over 50 AIP submarines in service around the world, with the number likely to double in the coming decade. The largest single operator is China.
AIP is often described as Air-Independent Propulsion. This is no longer applicable as modern AIP Powers the electric motor rather than driving the propeller directly. Some historic and rare SDV systems are true Air-Independent Propulsion, but the term is outdated. As well as propelling the submarine, AIP provides lighting and electrical power for air-conditioning, refrigeration and other Hotel loads. Hence Air-Independent Power.
Initial systems were developed during World War Two but were not fielded operationally until the 1950s, and even then were mostly experimental. These early systems were often dangerous and got a bad reputation. As it transpired nuclear power held the key to unlimited endurance and first generation AIP fell from favor. It was only in the 1980s that the technology matured to the point that it could add days or even weeks to a submarine’s underwater endurance without being unacceptably dangerous or inefficient. There was never a huge appetite for AIP among the nuclear-sub equipped forces except from an export perspective (China may be the exception), but AIP promised a step-change in capability for conventional submarine forces. And AIP is not without its advantages over nuclear propulsion in some respects, particularly unit cost. AIP trades speed for stealth. On the down side it increases the size and displacement of the submarine, often involving an extra hull insert.
Today there are increasing numbers of AIP equipped submarines in service throughout the world, with more classes set to join several navies. Information on the topic is accessible but muddled with confusion between submarine types that are offered with AIP, and in-service units equipped with it. This article hopes to clarify some of these points.
http://www.hisutton.com/World survey of AIP submarines.html
Go to the page for further reading..
