Air-Independent Propulsion

[tycho102]

Well, that article isn't real informative. And the "specifications" listed are highly misleading (50 days "underwater" because you're running with a snorkel at 15 meters) .

AIP's, if I remember, are just a Sterling engine and compressed oxygen. The system is "air-independent" like the Space Shuttle is air-independent -- until it's next refueling. It is a good idea if you used your nuclear reactor to generate the oxygen, then shutdown and run on the Sterling. The pump noise would disappear during the 6 or 7 days the oxygen supply lasts. These AIP's are diesel boats. Once the AIP runs out of oxygen it's just a regular old diesel boat. Much cheaper to build than a nuke. Quiet when it's running on batteries, loud as hell when it's time to recharge.


They're a good idea if you're going with a zerg rush. Which is pretty much what America is going to have to re-tool to defend against. I personally think pebble-bed reactors and these AIP's would make for one quiet, small boat.