09III/09IV (093/094) Nuclear Submarine Thread

Blitzo

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According to a recent UK defense media, China hasn't really construct the next gen SSN, SSBN is China still lacking in certain technical areas.
For one, current China's sub diameter is 1/3 less than western or Russia counterpart. The reason is China hasn't master the single hull , wide diameter and its associated welding tech yet. Such new technique with wider diameter will enable it to get rid of its hump of 094.
Even the recent 093G has same diameter as the 093 only with added length.

... which defense media outlet is this?
It is true that the 094 is quite a bit smaller than the other larger SSBNs of other more established SSBNs (especially the USN and Russian Navy's), the 093's measured dimensions and hull diameter from places like google earth, indicates that 093 does not seem to be that much smaller than other SSNs. Of course, 093 and other Chinese nuclear submarines uses a double hull design, meaning the actual pressure hull which is able to accommodate various noise dampening systems are less than single hull submarines... but Russian SSNs are also double hulled and the latest Russian SSN designs are also considered to be quite competitive.
So I am quite curious as to what this source means when it refers to "1/3 smaller" -- because the 093's overall hull diameter is definitely not 1/3 smaller, and if they're talking about the pressure hull, then I'm not sure how they know how large 093's pressure hull actually is, and also how they can compare that to other SSNs with double hull designs such as that of Russia, to ultimately make the 1/3 smaller statement.

Also, the pressure hull has nothing to do with 094's hump, because they could easily have developed a larger outer hull to remove the hump if they really wanted to but it would not be very useful. Russian SSBNs such as the "Typhoon" class SSBN is also a very unique double hull class, yet it still has no hump, so it isn't correct to necessarily assume that a single hull design means one will have a hump-less SSBN.


1/3 less diameter? That is substantial. So maybe thats why PRC SSN/SSBN are considered noisier. At another forum I read that the larger the sub the more room it has to dissipate internal noise.

It may be part of the reason, but it probably isn't as major as one thinks..
UK and French SSNs and SSBNs are quite a bit smaller than their Russian and US counterparts, yet are considered to be quite competitive.
It is probably more important to have good manufacturing, and good noise dampening mechanisms in place, than simply having greater internal volume.
 

Scratch

Captain
Hi guys, since it's been a little quite lately on the sub-front, can anyone help me with a latest picture on what is known / rumored about the 093?

Is there a consensus how many 093B/G hulls are currently in the water? (I get the impression it should be [almost?] 4)

What is the current status of these vessels? Testing, trials, in comission? I understand the first was spotted in 2011?

Dimensions are, if at all, just a little bigger. But with it's hump I exspect it to be somewhat heavier (than 7.000t?).

Thanks
 

SinoSoldier

Colonel
Hi guys, since it's been a little quite lately on the sub-front, can anyone help me with a latest picture on what is known / rumored about the 093?

Is there a consensus how many 093B/G hulls are currently in the water? (I get the impression it should be [almost?] 4)

What is the current status of these vessels? Testing, trials, in comission? I understand the first was spotted in 2011?

Dimensions are, if at all, just a little bigger. But with it's hump I exspect it to be somewhat heavier (than 7.000t?).

Thanks

There are currently 4 Type 093Bs in the water. Three have either been undergoing sea trials or have already entered service.

However, as per Henri K., some suspect that the fourth Type 093B is actually the first unit of the Type 095 class.

Can somebody post the picture (dated November of 2013) of the fourth Type 093B?
 

Blitzo

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There are currently 4 Type 093Bs in the water. Three have either been undergoing sea trials or have already entered service.

However, as per Henri K., some suspect that the fourth Type 093B is actually the first unit of the Type 095 class.

Can somebody post the picture (dated November of 2013) of the fourth Type 093B?

Four 093Bs? As far as I was aware, there were only three in the water that have been confirmed by pictures... and I'm not sure if all of them are at sea trials or entering service -- some of them may still be fitting out.
 

SinoSoldier

Colonel
Four 093Bs? As far as I was aware, there were only three in the water that have been confirmed by pictures... and I'm not sure if all of them are at sea trials or entering service -- some of them may still be fitting out.

Another boat was spotted behind a Type 094, at Huludao, in 2013. Henri K. posted a picture but unfortunately the link is dead. The submarine is speculated to be either the 4th 093B or the 1st 095.
 

Hyperwarp

Captain
These appeared in 2012 IIRC. I don't think there are any pics of the 093B sail anywhere :(

093_2.jpg
 

tphuang

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There are currently 4 Type 093Bs in the water. Three have either been undergoing sea trials or have already entered service.

However, as per Henri K., some suspect that the fourth Type 093B is actually the first unit of the Type 095 class.

Can somebody post the picture (dated November of 2013) of the fourth Type 093B?
I have a couple of blog entry on this, but you can measure using google earth. I don't think Henri K is giving anything other than what he reads on Chinese bbs.
 
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