Rumoured "mini-nuke/diesel" Submarine SSK-N(?) thread

[para80]

The opening could plausibly be part of a TAS.

 

[Tomboy]

The opening could plausibly be part of a TAS.

What's a TAS?

 

[Aspide]

Towed Array Sonar

 

[Tomboy]

Towed Array Sonar

Though it seems strange that the opening for that would be directly in the way of the propeller
Most X-tailed sub has an elevated tube on top of the hull for that

 

[Blitzo]

Though it seems strange that the opening for that would be directly in the way of the propellerView attachment 168216
Most X-tailed sub has an elevated tube on top of the hull for that

The position of that tube is elevated on top of the hull.

If we think about where the actual propeller of this submarine is, it would be well well below the waterline, keeping a good vertical gap between that housing and where the propeller itself lies.

One slightly odd aspect is actually that the structure/housing doesn't extend as far back as we may expect, but it is possible that the propeller itself also doesn't extend as far back.



In any case, among the various possibilities this thing is, I suspect being a TAS housing should be at the top of the list.

 

[Maikeru]

The position of that tube is elevated on top of the hull.

If we think about where the actual propeller of this submarine is, it would be well well below the waterline, keeping a good vertical gap between that housing and where the propeller itself lies.

One slightly odd aspect is actually that the structure/housing doesn't extend as far back as we may expect, but it is possible that the propeller itself also doesn't extend as far back.



In any case, among the various possibilities this thing is, I suspect being a TAS housing should be at the top of the list.

Actually looking at this overhead image there might be 2 x TAS - fat line and thin line?

 

[Blitzo]

Actually looking at this overhead image there might be 2 x TAS - fat line and thin line?
View attachment 168229

Yes, I recall that image as well now that you bring it up.

Definitely plausible. We'll need better images over time to clarify as always.

 

[Tomboy]

It has been purported that the X-tailed SSK (or SSKN) previously spotted at Wuhan has already conducted multiple sea trials by now. This means that if this information is true, and if that SSK (or SSKN) had indeed sunk at the pier back then, then the repair would've already been long completed.

No complete photo of the SSK (or SSKN) is available for now. Posted by @雅库茨克行都指挥使 on Weibo.

View attachment 167762

Satellite photo of the SSK (or SSKN) from 2024, for reference:

View attachment 167764

According to some sources I've found, the first picture dates back to early 2025 but was not posted until late last year.

 

[00CuriousObserver]

Allegedly related to the 041 at Jiangnan. Not sure what "YHL" is

Jiangnan Shipyard issued multiple follow-on procurement notices, and later published award results, for specialized stainless steel piping components and related support hardware under the YHL project. The items shown include:

• Nitrogen-controlled stainless steel forged pipe fittings
• Nitrogen-controlled stainless steel flanges
• Non-standard stainless steel pipe fittings
• A storage/support bracket for a coolant pump

Several notices are marked as supplementary procurements such as “first supplement” and “second supplement,” which suggests these are additional batches or follow-up purchases rather than a one-off order.

 

[Tomboy]

YHL stands for loop one likely for a two loop nuclear reactor given there are also tenders for a EHL which is loop two. No SHL or loop 3 tenders found meaning the design seems to be inconsistent with the original PPT that called for a three loop reactor so this might be for a ice breaker