09V/09VI (095/096) Nuclear Submarine Thread

[by78]

A confirmation that China is currently developing X-tail rudders for submarines. Images below show a procurement document from the China Ship Design & Research Center (a.k.a. 701 Institute). The document asks manufacturers to submit bids for a set of 55kN-m electro-hydraulic steering gear (with

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), to be used to actuate X-shaped stern rudders. The steering gear must be able to deflect all four rubbers at the same time up to 35 degrees to either side (i.e. 70 degrees total). The steering gear must weigh ≤1350kg.

 

[Blitzo]

^ May not be directly related to 09V/VI given the likely size of the above, but thought would be useful to have here, thus copied from the breaking news thread.

 

[Cloud_Nine_]

^ May not be directly related to 09V/VI given the likely size of the above, but thought would be useful to have here, thus copied from the breaking news thread.

Both Columbia & Dreadnought classes use X-tail rudders according to their latest renders so I guess it's not entirely unlikely .)

 

[Blitzo]

Both Columbia & Dreadnought classes use X-tail rudders according to their latest renders so I guess it's not entirely unlikely .)

Yes the application of X tail rudders on submarines in general is well long established, just to name a few existing in service classes:
- Type 212/214
- Collins/A17 class
- Soryu/Taigei
- new Suffren SSN of France

And the next gen Columbia and Dreadnought SSBNs will both use X tails, and chances are the next gen SSNX and SSNR of the US and UK respectively will use X tails too.
USS Albacore tested it fairly extensively back in the 1960s.


To clarify -- what I meant with regards to me not being sure if the procurement document is related to 09V or 09VI, is I'm not sure if the specs of the control rudder system is suitable for a proper submarine, or if it may be for something like a large UUV instead.
That's why I copied it over for a record just in case.

 

[hellodarknez]

What's the benefit of X-tail rudders?

 

[para80]

Walrus class is another prominent older example.

There are various advantages. Hydrodynamic flow over control surfaces is improved as they sit free of the centreline and eg the sail influencing flow. This also frees up the centreline to eg haul a sonar. They make unintentional grounding in shallow waters somewhat less likely and are useful if the design designed to sit on the seabed (A26 and 212A are examples). On the downside they are a more complex control mechanism. Thanks to modern tech they appear to establish themselves as a bit of a standard now.

 

[by78]

This might be of some relevance here.

A procurement document from Huludao shipyard that seeks thermal insulation claddings (made of silicate composites?) for submarine steam turbine and other equipment. The claddings are to be fabricated according to engineering drawings. The total surface area to be covered is around 100 square meters of magnesium-steel alloy weighing some 800kg(?). The winner of the bid will also be responsible for installing the claddings.