Quote:
Originally Posted by Chad
Very cool! 
Surprised that they're still using diesel engines.
Also, think the sailors aboard are proud to be serving on a U-boat with all of us geeks on here wishing we could spend a day on one? |
It's the MOST advanced conventional boat in the world
Battery endurance has been reduced (it's direct ancestor, the TR1700 had 960 cells / 500tons of batteries and could travel at 10kts for 300Nm) but the rather small battery complement is supplemented with a fuel cell plant.
Thanks to fuel cell technology, it can travel for 2 weeks without snorkelling and cover over 1200Nm. Since diesel electric boats have no moving parts other than the slow turning motor they're very quiet and can be positioned in ambush against surface groups or other submarines without the enemy knowing it.
In all the navies, the sailors aboard submarines are those who face the greatest perils but usually also the most motivated. An old submariner's motto says: "On a sub, everyone wins or everybody die!"