Yuan Class AIP & Kilo Submarine Thread

Jeff Head

General
Registered Member
That's the case with all AIP equipped submarines. Modern SSKs don't emphasize speed but rather stealth, while modern SSNs should emphasize both, along with endurance.
An SSK equipped with AIP allows for stealth and endurance, but naturally low speed compared to an SSN. In a defensive position, low speed shouldn't be as much of an issue.
The V4-275R Stirling engines which are on the Gotland and Södermanland Class subs (Sweden) and the Soryu Class subs (Japanese). Each of these submariens mount four of the Sterling Engines. Each Sterling Engine produces approximately 75 Kw of power, for a total of 300 Kw. (That 75Kw figure makes ou wonder if the Chinese are using the Sterling engine, or a derivitive thereof.)

A 2400 ton submarine would need as much as 200 kW electrical power for AIP propulsion (at something like 5 knots) and for all the other power requirements of the sub operating in that mode. So, four engines provides some theoretical reserve...however, reports indicate that the engines are actually produceing 5-10 Kw less than the 75 Kw advertised. If they produce 65 Kw, then four of them will produce 260 Kw, which leaves very little reserve.

Just the same, SSKs operating the Sterling engines are said to be able to remain submerged for several weeks operating at 5 knots.

The German Type 212 submarines which displace 1,800 tons submerged use a different technology, employing 2 HDW/Siemens Polymer-Electrolyte-Membrane (PEM) fuel cells. These PEM fuel cells make an efficient conversion of the chemical energy stored as hydrogen and oxygen into electricity for power. Each of these fuel cells is said to generate 120 Kw, for a total of 240 Kw.

For low speed, stealthy operations, some comparative studies of fuel cells and other air independent propulsion (AIP) systems such as the Stirling engines already discussed, have shown a better efficiency and other advantages of the low temperature PEM fuel cells to combustion-based solutions. This is why the newer German Type 212 submarines use the PEM technology...of course it does not hurt that this technology has been developed in Germany and is available through the German Siemens Corporation. Again, however, as with the Sterling engines, speeds are low when operating in AIP mode because of the low power availability.

Just the same, these vessels, if they can locate themselves in a position to wait for an oncoming adversary combatant, are very dangerous. This usually means in straits, or on the path of a Task force that is known due to intelligence, and in the littorals.

After conducting exercises in such conditions with Swedish Gotland subs and those subs being able to photograph US Navy aircraft carriers at relatively close range, the US leased the use of one Swedish Gotland class sub and its crew for two years. During that time the US Navy developed defenses against such technology, and developed doctrine regarding how to prosecute them. The results are highly classified.
 
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asif iqbal

Lieutenant General
Re: PLAN submarines Thread II

Type 039B

881c25376e30385c4845a48471abd21f_zps1e86c35f.jpg


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Jeff Head

General
Registered Member
Re: PLAN submarines Thread II

Type 039B

881c25376e30385c4845a48471abd21f_zps1e86c35f.jpg
Well, that's a Yuan class SSK. Is it a brand new one? An improved version?

To date, I thought they had built 7 of them. Is this number 8 then?

As to the designation. I thought all of the Songs were 039s and comprised the Type 039 and Type 039G, 039G1 and 039G2 builds.

Now, I see some sites and analysts calling the Yuan the Type 039A, and others the Type 041. Which is the official designation? Clearly, I would think that a Type 039B would be some kind of improved Yuan. Is this the case? or is it an altogether new class SSK itself?
 

Blitzo

Lieutenant General
Staff member
Super Moderator
Registered Member
Re: PLAN submarines Thread II

039A is baseline yuan, 039B is AIP yuan. I think there are about four of each put to sea. I'm not sure if that picture is recent.
 

FORBIN

Lieutenant General
Registered Member
Re: PLAN submarines Thread II

Type 039A/B/C Yuan I/II/III, number 330 - 341 : 4+7+1 the 4 last commissionned in 2012/13. All AIP.

Units equiped : Daxiedao 22 Sub Flt : 8 : 330/337
Lüshun 12 Sub Flot : 4 : 338/341, actually use also 8 ? Type 035G/Ming, the more old SS in PLAN, make sense replace them.

Built in 2 shipyards Jiangnan ( Shangai ) and Wuhan ( Wuchang ).

2 Yuan built by year, normaly this class include 20 units.

According to what we know...
 

Jeff Head

General
Registered Member
Re: PLAN submarines Thread II

Type 039A/B/C Yuan I/II/III, number 330 - 341 : 4+7+1 the 4 last commissionned in 2012/13. All AIP.

Units equiped : Daxiedao 22 Sub Flt : 8 : 330/337
Lüshun 12 Sub Flot : 4 : 338/341, actually use also 8 ? Type 035G/Ming, the more old SS in PLAN, make sense replace them.

Built in 2 shipyards Jiangnan ( Shangai ) and Wuhan ( Wuchang ).

2 Yuan built by year, normaly this class include 20 units.

According to what we know...
I did not think that there were 12 Yuans in service at this point.

Tphuang? Cirvine11? Does this look correct to you guys? I was under the impression that seven had been put in service to date. Forbin is indicating five more than that have been launched and are in service as of this year.

Comments?
 
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tphuang

Lieutenant General
Staff member
Super Moderator
VIP Professional
Registered Member
Re: PLAN submarines Thread II

I did not think that there were 12 Yuans in service at this point.

Tphuang? Cirvine11? Does this look correct to you guys? I was under the impression that seven had been put in service to date. Forbin is indicating five more than that have been launched and are in service as of this year.

Comments?

what Forbin posted is correct. I'm not sure where he got his sources from though. 341 just joined service recently I think.

Although, the 035s 12th flotilla has are 035Bs not 035Gs.
 

Jeff Head

General
Registered Member
Re: PLAN submarines Thread II

what Forbin posted is correct. I'm not sure where he got his sources from though. 341 just joined service recently I think.

Although, the 035s 12th flotilla has are 035Bs not 035Gs.
Wow! Thanks. I was way out of date on that one.

So, with 13 Songs, 12 Yuans, and 12 Kilos, that's 37 very good SSks in service for the PLAN.

Thanks for pointing it out Forbin!
 

lcloo

Captain
Re: PLAN submarines Thread II

dca971a787d513eeddaf5a新型AIP潜艇333艇.jpg

Inside Yuan class AIP boat No. 333


dca971a787d513eedd9454新型AIP潜艇333艇.jpg

Visit by USA Navy Pacific command
 
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