Japan starts developing next-generation Stirling submarines
Soryu - the "most advanced" submarine in the world
As pointed out by Navy Recognition, Soryu has been widely recognized in the world as one of the best submarines and is often regarded as the most advanced and quietest. The diesel-electric ship using Stirling engines weighs approximately 4 tons and is the country's largest post-war submarine, "providing an important tactical and strategic advantage over competitors." Currently in Japanese fleet there are 10 submarines of this type. Three more units are under construction and should be commissioned before 2023.
Recently, the Soryu type has been upgraded. The new lithium-ion batteries will be installed on the new submarines as a low-noise power source, being one of the main technological breakthroughs expected to be inherited by the 29SS class.
29SS is a worthy successor
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, a leading Japanese submarine manufacturer, presented a preliminary draft of the 29SS type. Allegedly, his first representative should be put into operation at the end of the 2020s. The R & D phase will take place from 2025 to 2028 a year, and the first ship of this class will probably be commissioned around 2031 of the year.
The 29SS is expected to retain the overall shape of the Soryu hull, but the new ships will have a number of design changes, including a significantly reduced sail [previously, the so-called control tower]. It is assumed that it will be shifted into the inside of the submarine, which will reduce the hydrodynamic resistance. This will have a positive effect on the submarine noise signature. In this case, the fins will be moved from the sail to the hull.
In addition, it is planned that 29SS will be equipped with an ejector (jet pump), which will replace the traditional screw used for the movement. However, this innovation is already expected on the future Australian submarines of the Attack class.
The 29SS is likely to retain the same armament as the Soryu submarines, which have six nasal 533-mm torpedo tubes, before the 30 89-type torpedoes or their Sub-Harpoon anti-ship missiles. Although there is a general tendency to install vertical launchers behind a submarine's sail, Japan does not have missiles designed for them.
- https://viettimes.vn/
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