Air-Independent Propulsion

[peterloo]

I don't know why America don't develop its own AIP... Even Russia, which is relatively poor after her dissolution, got her AIP technology ready. It seems that America is relying on her sucking (noisy + expensive) Los Angels Class, which can be a huge DISADVANTAGE when she wants to use it in shallow seas. China might get one, by buying one Russian sub (just like Kilo)

[baggygreen]

I thought that the virginia class was designed for more 'littoral' work. At least, thats what i read when having a look into it recently

[Kapitan]

The new virginias are good but they are still large submarines thier draft alone wont allow them into realy shallow waters where say a kilo can go or a 212 which puts the virginia at a disadvantage but only a slight one.

Despite being very quite the nukes have always been alot louder than a conventional submarine so in shallow waters with a conventional your basicaly not existing at slow speeds.

i have no doubt that the type 212 is alot quieter than a virginia.

[Perilscope]

Originally Posted by Kapitan

i have no doubt that the type 212 is alot quieter than a virginia.

The 212 at the moment, is the quietest submarine in the world. So no doubt it's quieter than the Virginia's.

[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.

[ASWnut101]

plus, it has to refuel very often, meaning it can't do littorial work for very long. Virginia can stay there for ~15 years, food supplies limiting it only.

[CCIP]

Originally Posted by ASWnut101

plus, it has to refuel very often, meaning it can't do littorial work for very long. Virginia can stay there for ~15 years, food supplies limiting it only.

The next step after AIP is clearly FIP - Food-Independent Personnel system :rotfl:

[JSLTIGER]

Originally Posted by ASWnut101

plus, it has to refuel very often, meaning it can't do littorial work for very long. Virginia can stay there for ~15 years, food supplies limiting it only.

Actually, Virginia was designed to go without nuclear refueling for the duration of the 33 year career planned for her, so if one eliminates the necessity of food, she could theoretically stay on station for that duration.