Pick a nuc, any nuc

LoBlo · 07-26-06, 10:25 AM

A lot of people are choosing the Astute, but not mentioning why. Why the Astute class over the others. Just how much do those subs cost anyway? I think I remember reading 1.8 billion apiece, but can't be sure.

EDIT2: OK. Found a link that states that each Astute is 1.2 BILLION pounds apiece about the cost of a Virginia. (2 billion dollars)

That being the case. With the cost of an Astute = to a VA, is an Astute the better deal?.....

aaken · 07-26-06, 11:58 AM

Quote:

You mean nuclear electric like the French subs? Interesting choice, especially with the developement of the next generation nuke-electric systems in the coming years, it will probably become the standard in the coming decades

Don't know what Drebbel meant but I think he meant a completely electric boat, since also a nuclear-electric power plant has a steam engine. It has synchronous electric generators instead of the reduction gear but the steam turbines are still there.

Slightly OT: it is often stated that the Virginia is able to perform missions in a littoral environment. But isn't it a little too long to be a good littoral boat? I mean it can eventually go in a coastal environment but then would not be able to manouver that much due to its length. Plus it has a pumpjet which is a machine with high dynamic inertia compared to an unshrouded propeller, so it has higher response times to changes of speed. Is it sufficient to have good sensors to qualify a boat as coastal?

LoBlo · 07-26-06, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aaken

Quote:

You mean nuclear electric like the French subs? Interesting choice, especially with the developement of the next generation nuke-electric systems in the coming years, it will probably become the standard in the coming decades

Don't know what Drebbel meant but I think he meant a completely electric boat, since also a nuclear-electric power plant has a steam engine. It has synchronous electric generators instead of the reduction gear but the steam turbines are still there.

Slightly OT: it is often stated that the Virginia is able to perform missions in a littoral environment. But isn't it a little too long to be a good littoral boat? I mean it can eventually go in a coastal environment but then would not be able to manouver that much due to its length. Plus it has a pumpjet which is a machine with high dynamic inertia compared to an unshrouded propeller, so it has higher response times to changes of speed. Is it sufficient to have good sensors to qualify a boat as coastal?

Actually Littoral missions are exactly what the VA was intended for. Spying off coastlines and SoF insertions. But its not going to be doing somersaults while its in shallow water no.

View Poll Results: You need to buy nuc subs (see thread) which do you go with?
The Russian Akula	5	14.71%
The US Virginia	3	8.82%
The US Seawolf	10	29.41%
The British Astute	7	20.59%
The French Barracuda	3	8.82%
The Chinese Han....?	0	0%
Something else that hasn't been mentioned...	6	17.65%
Voters: 34. You may not vote on this poll

07-26-06, 10:25 AM	#1
LoBlo Subsim Diehard Join Date: May 2006 Location: Texas! Posts: 971 Downloads: 78 Uploads: 3	A lot of people are choosing the Astute, but not mentioning why. Why the Astute class over the others. Just how much do those subs cost anyway? I think I remember reading 1.8 billion apiece, but can't be sure. EDIT2: OK. Found a link that states that each Astute is 1.2 BILLION pounds apiece about the cost of a Virginia. (2 billion dollars) That being the case. With the cost of an Astute = to a VA, is an Astute the better deal?..... __________________ "Seek not to offend or annoy... only to speak the truth"-a wise man Last edited by LoBlo; 07-26-06 at 10:58 AM.