Non-atomic does not mean second-rate. Directions for the development of non-nuclear submarines in the fleets of foreign states
Swedish nuclear submarine "Gotland" at sea.
- Do you have the same one, only without wings, do you have it?
- No.
- Will seek!
- No.
- Will seek!
The long-term lack of information about the progress of the construction of our Project 677D Lada nuclear submarines and about the progress of another Project 777A Kalina nuclear submarine makes sailors worry about our shipbuilders. This is all the more relevant given the ongoing fleets foreign states of qualitative changes in the construction of submarines of this type.
Therefore, I propose to see what our "incredible" partners and counterparts are doing in this direction.
A bit of history
The fact that non-nuclear submarines in capable hands are formidable weapons, has been proven in practice during the combat training of NATO naval ships.
The first bell sounded when, in 1999, the Valrus nuclear submarine of the Netherlands Navy, during the ITFEX-99 international exercises, photographed 9 security ships and the CVN-71 Theodore Roosevelt AVM from close range through the periscope. In this case, the boat remained unnoticed. Then it was considered an unfortunate accident.
In 2003, Swedish submariners confirmed the high combat capabilities of the NNS when their Stirling-diesel-electric submarine of the A19 Gotland project, during the exercises of the joint NATO naval forces in the Mediterranean Sea, won the underwater martial arts first from the Spanish SSN, and then sequentially from the French nuclear submarine of the " Rubis", and then the American nuclear submarine SSN-713 Houston of the Los Angeles type.
And in 2005, the Gotland nuclear submarine during the Joint Task Exercise 06-2 exercise was able to unnoticed break through the outposts of the American Ronald Reagan AVM and carry out its conditional torpedoing. The photo report presented by the Swedes convincingly confirmed the complete fiasco of the ASW system of the aircraft carrier formation. This forced the Yankees to seriously study the combat capabilities of the NNS as a subclass of submarines.
The Americans approached this issue very seriously and for two years signed a contract with the Swedish side for leasing the Gotland nuclear submarine for its detailed study at the US Navy anti-submarine warfare center (ASW). The submarine was delivered to San Diego on a transport ship, where it confirmed its high tactical qualities and technical characteristics 6 times during the exercises, breaking through anti-submarine guards and conditionally destroying the main targets from the AUG of the US Pacific Fleet.
In 2007, the lease term ended, and the Swedes returned to the Baltic. But the Americans continued to study and train their anti-submarine forces (PLS) to detect and conditionally destroy the potential “aggressor” nuclear submarines. They began to regularly involve submarines of the navies of Latin American countries in the exercises of their submarines. So, submarines of the Chilean Navy are participating in exercises of the DESI type of the US Pacific Fleet submarine forces. Until 2001, they used submarines built according to the German project 209 (DPL "Thomson" and "Simpson"), and then submarines of the Skorpen "O'Higgins" type.
In 2018, the submarine O'Higgins visited the port of San Diego and for five months participated in the exercises of the submarine forces of the US 3rd Fleet. And since 2019, the PLB service of the 3rd Fleet has created a special “squadron” of aggressor submarines (or AGGRON) to prepare its submarines to fight enemy low-noise submarines (NAPLs).
The Americans were forced to study non-nuclear submarines by the presence in the PLA Navy of non-nuclear submarines of type 039A with an air-independent power plant, as well as the presence in the Russian Navy of no less dangerous and low-noise submarines of project 636 and plans to create even more advanced non-nuclear submarines of project 677 "Lada", the development of nuclear submarines project 777A "Kalina".
In addition, the fleets of other states, deprived of the opportunity to build nuclear submarines, became very interested in submarines with air-independent power plants (VNEU or AIP). Offers from manufacturers of submarines with VNEU appeared on the arms market, which dramatically expanded the range of fleets seeking to have modern submarine forces - inexpensive, compact, with high combat capabilities in their operational zones.
Submarines with air-independent power plants in the fleets of foreign states
To date, NPLs with VNEU are independently built by: FGR, France, Sweden, Japan, China, and the Russian Federation. As well as NNSs with full electric propulsion are now being built for the fleets of Japan and South Korea.
So, Japan since 2009, it has been building SORYU-type nuclear submarines, a series of 14 units.
(W=2900/4200 t, L=84,0 m, d=9,1 m; V=12/20 knots, under VNEU - 6,5 knots; D under RDP = 6200 M; 6 NTA x 533 mm, BZ = 30 units; crew - 65 people, autonomy - 45 days).
These boats were first equipped with Swedish Stirling engines (DS). But very soon, Mitsubishi made its own 600 kW DC. However, this could not turn the Japanese away from the electrical circuit of the underwater movement of their submarines. And already from the eleventh building (submarine "Oryu"), it was decided to make submarines fully electric based on powerful lithium-ion batteries (LIAB).
South Korea is building a series of NNSs from 9 units of licensed German Project 214 NNSs with VNEU based on fuel cells. But since 2019, she also switched to the construction of boats of her own design of the KSS-III type based on the LIAB.
(W=3358/3750 t, L=83,5 m, d=9,6 m; T= 7,6 m; V=12/20 knots; D at 8,0 knots = 10 M; 000 NTA x 6 mm for anti-ship missiles and maintenance, 533 missile defense missiles or SLBMs with a diameter of 6 mm; crew - 900 people, autonomy - 50 days).
India builds a series of NPLs from 6 units. "Calvari" type. In fact, this is a licensed French Scorpion-class nuclear submarine. At the same time, it is planned to install AIP, the MESMA closed cycle steam turbine unit, only on the fifth and sixth buildings.
(W = 1615/1775 t, L = 67,5 m, d = 6,2 m, T = 5,8 m; V = 11/20 knots; D float = 6500 M; 6 NTA x 533 mm, BZ = 18 units (anti-ship missiles, torpedoes, or 30 minutes); crew - 35 (8) people, autonomy - 50 days).
Turkey as well as South Korea, since 2015, it has been building a series of NAPLs of 6 units according to the German project 214.
(W=1690/1860 t, L=65,0 m, d=6,3 m, T=6,0 m; V=12/20 knots, under VNEU - 6,0 knots; D float. = 8000 M ; 8 NTA x 533 mm, BZ = 12 units (anti-ship missiles + torpedoes); crew - 27 (5) people, autonomy - 84 days).
Greece also purchased four project 214 nuclear submarines for its Navy.
China builds for itself and for export non-nuclear submarines of type 039C.
(W=1700/2250 t, L=74,9 m, d=8,0 m T=5,3 m; V=15/22 knots; H=300 m; D under RDP = 8000 M; 6 NTA x 533 mm, BZ = 18 units (6 anti-ship missiles + 12 torpedoes); crew - 60 (10) people, autonomy - 60 days).
Pakistan purchased eight NNS type 039A from China. It is also identified as type 041 of the Yuan class (Yuan-class Type-041). Pakistani designation boat received S20.
(W=1850/2500 t, L=77,6 m, d=8,4 m, T=6,7 m; V=12/20 knots; D=8000 M; 6 x 533 mm NTA, BZ=18 units; crew - 60 people, autonomy - 60 days).
Pakistan also acquired a license for the construction of 4 more submarines of the same project.
Thailand Bought three S-26T type nuclear submarines from China.
(W=1850/2300 t; L=66,0 m, d=8,0 m, T=8,2 m; V=10/18 knots, D floating at 16 knots = 8000 M; H = 240/ 300 m; 6 NTA x 533 mm, BZ = 18 units; crew - 38 people, autonomy - 60 days).
The S-26T type submarine is considered to be an analogue of the Project 039B submarines. In total, the Thai Navy plans to purchase three boats of the S-26T project, with an order for two additional ones, with their commissioning by 2026.
Singapore purchased from Germany specially designed for him four NNS pr. 218SG.
(W=2000/2200 t, L=70,0 m, d=6,3 m; V=10/15 knots, under VNEU – up to 5 knots; VNEU = 2х120 kW; under VNU – 28 days; . = 300 m; 8 NTA (6x533 mm, 2x650 mm) BZ = 24 units; crew - 28 people).
Italy. The Navy has four nuclear submarines of the German project 212A.
(W=1450/1840 t, L=56,3 m, d=6,8 m, T=7,0 m; V=12/20 knots, under VNEU - 6,0 knots; D float. = 8000 M ; 6 NTA x 533 mm, BZ = 12 units (anti-ship missiles + torpedoes); crew - 27 (5) people, autonomy - 30 days).
The boats were built at the Italian shipyard Cantieri del Muggiano by Fincantieri.
Spain It has four Agosta-type NNSs (1740 tons), and 4 S-80-type NNSs (2 tons) are under construction. Since 426, the construction of NNSs of the S2005A project, developed on the basis of French Scorpena-class submarines, has begun in Spain.
(W=3200/3426 t; L=81,05 m, d=11,68 m, T=7,3 m; ethanol AIP=3x1200 kW, 1 EM N=3500 kW; V=12/19 kt; D = 5000 M; autonomy = 30–55 days, under AIP = 28 days; H = 320/460 m; crew - 32 (8) people; 6x533 NTA (torpedoes, anti-ship missiles, CRBD).
In addition, these boats with VNEU of the MESMA type will be armed with the American Tomahawk CRBD block IV.
Israel acquired six submarines of type 800 "Dolphin".
(W=1450/1840 t, L=56,3 m, d=6,8 m, T=7,0 m; V=12/20 knots, under VNEU - 6,0 knots; D float. = 8000 M ; 6 NTA x 533 mm, BZ = 21 units (5 KR + 16 torpedoes); crew - 30 (8) people, autonomy - 50 days).
The boats were built by the German shipbuilding company HDW (Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft). At the same time, three of them carry CRBD and became part of the deterrence forces, presumably, they will carry CRBD with nuclear warheads. The last two boats will be equipped with nuclear submarines based on fuel cells, which will qualitatively increase their ability to continuously stay under water without surfacing to the sea surface.
Poland decided to purchase for its Navy NNS of the Swedish project A26, capable of carrying Tomahawk-type CRBD. The request for the purchase of boats was considered in the parliament and received the approval of the Polish parliamentarians.
This is an approximate picture of non-nuclear submarines today. But the picture does not end there, because this direction in submarine shipbuilding turned out to be very popular, and the total market demand until 2050 is estimated at about 300–400 units.
Ways of development and further improvement of the NPL
To date, there have been at least four ways to further improve this area of underwater shipbuilding.
First, the capabilities of the ship's main air-independent power plant are being improved.
So, the French Navy took a giant step in the creation and trial operation of the VNEU of the so-called second stage. The FC2G AIP installation was developed by engineers and designers of the French naval industrial group Naval Group (NG). They created a unit that, by reforming diesel fuel, receives highly purified hydrogen directly on board the submarine, while German submariners are forced to carry hydrogen reserves on board their boats. Hydrogen is the most energy-intensive fuel, so VNEU based on it is more efficient in terms of energy efficiency than all other installations. But not only.
VNEU based on ECG operate twice as quiet as a Stirling engine, because they simply do not have rotating parts of the machine.
Another advantage of such an installation is that when reforming diesel fuel (to produce hydrogen), it is not necessary to carry on board additional containers for storing hydride-containing solutions.
Such an anaerobic propulsion system is more compact and has a lower thermal footprint. All its components and systems are assembled in a separate eight-meter module-compartment, and not scattered throughout the submarine.
For a hydrogen AIP, the influence of shock-vibration loads is less critical, which reduces the possibility of its spontaneous ignition, and this qualitatively distinguishes it from a GEM based on lithium-ion batteries. In addition, such an installation is cheaper than an installation based on LIAB.
But not only the French were engaged in the improvement of VNEU for NPLs. So, to obtain high-purity hydrogen on board, Spanish engineers created an anaerobic bioethanol reformer (BioEtOH). They plan to install units for the production of highly purified hydrogen on their submarines of the S-80 type. The first such VNEU was planned to be installed on the Cosme Garcia submarine in March 2021.
The disadvantage of the Spanish installation is that, in addition to cryogenic oxygen, as well as conventional diesel fuel for ship diesel and diesel generators, it is also necessary to place on board tanks for bioethanol, which has several disadvantages compared to diesel fuel. Thus, ethanol (technical alcohol) is 34% less energy intensive than diesel fuel. This, ceteris paribus, reduces the power of the propulsion system, the cruising range of the submarine, and increases the volume of storage of variable cargo on board the submarine. In addition, ethanol is hygroscopic, has increased corrosive aggressiveness. And around - "water and iron." It cannot be used as an emergency fuel for diesel operation.
Therefore, experts prefer hydrogen VNEU based on diesel fuel reforming. Diesel fuel is always available. It does not need to allocate separate containers. It is always available in the database. It can be easily obtained at sea from another ship or civilian vessel. What can not be said about alcohol, even technical. Installing the AIP of the second stage on the NNS will naturally affect the improvement of the performance characteristics of the boat. For example, the released volumes (as an option) can be used to accommodate liquefied oxygen cylinders, and thereby increase the time and range of submarine diving.
Over the past time, Japanese and Korean scientists and designers have learned to create "safe" LIAB, which forced out the DS from their new generation NNS. Therefore, they took the path of creating fully "electric" submarines, placing high-capacity lithium-ion batteries (LIAB) on board the NNS of the Oryu and KSS-III types. But the Koreans, unlike the Japanese, are in no hurry to part with the DS on their new second-series nuclear submarines. They pragmatically believe that the presence of DS will significantly increase the ability of their new submarines to continuously be under water, while recharging the LIAB.
It is known that LIABs are expensive and very high-tech. They are afraid of mechanical damage, in which they are fire hazardous, nevertheless they are lighter, more conformal. They are at least 2–4 times (compared to lead-zinc acid AB) have bоmore storage capacity. This is their main advantage.
And this is probably the second general direction for the development of NNS in the XNUMXst century. As we see, story, having made a circle, returned to the idea of \uXNUMXb\uXNUMXba completely "electric" submarine, as the Kriegsmarine shipbuilders once did. The famous XXII series of German electric submarines had characteristics that were unique for their time.
But not only this is seen as progress in the development of non-nuclear submarines.
The armament of these submarines is changing in the most significant way. And this is the third direction of improving the NPL. And the transformation of non-nuclear submarines into submarine control units drones - the fourth direction of improvement of this subclass of submarines.
In addition to the fact that Israel, China, followed by Japan, South Korea and Sweden, place long-range missile weapons (both CRBD and SLBM) on board their NNSs, Italian submariners have begun equipping their submarines with autonomous uninhabited underwater vehicles (UUVs) to solve a whole range of combat missions in the waters of the adjacent seas.
So, in February 2021, the Italian Navy signed a contract with the Fincanteri shipbuilding company for the construction of two nuclear submarines under the 212 NFS project. The boat will be 1,2 m longer (L = 59 m) compared to the base model, its surface displacement will increase to 1 tons. type) has been successfully tested.
The boat will be armed with a Deep Impact CRBD. The drawer enclosure will be enlarged to accommodate six of the seven drawers outside the rugged housing. The only "penetrating" will be the commander's periscope. The habitability inside the boat will be significantly improved, which should affect the increase in the autonomy of the ship's navigation. The degree of automation of all processes based on the new ASBU will increase. This will reduce the crew to 29 people.
But its main difference from its predecessors is that this boat is conceived as a node of an underwater network capable of controlling various uninhabited underwater vehicles, receiving information from them, and using airborne weapons on target designation from NPA. At the same time, it is noted that the mutual exchange of information between the carrier and the UUV will be carried out via a secure line of sound-underwater communication, directly with the SJSC drones, although previously it was supposed to be done via a fiber-optic communication line.
Both boats will be built at the shipyard in Mugiano (La Spezia). In January 2022, the first phase of construction was launched. The first nuclear submarine was laid down on the basis of its readiness by 2026 and transfer to the fleet after all tests no later than December 2027.
But later there was information that under the OCCAR contract, 1,35 billion euros were allocated for the construction of a training center and two NSPLs with a deadline for the delivery of the first unit in May 2030, and the second in June 2031. At the same time, the first two boats will have a diesel-electric installation with the same AIP as on the Project 212A NNS. But they will have a new energy storage and management system from LIAB. They will test the technology for changing modes of movement in a submerged position, testing the elements of a new lithium-iron-phosphate battery. A completely new VNEU will be delivered starting from the third building of the NPL.
In this way, already today, at least four areas for improving NNSs have been clearly identified in the fleets of foreign states:
1. Transition to full underwater electric propulsion (Japan, Republic of Korea).
2. Improvement of methods for producing highly purified hydrogen directly on board the NNS by reforming diesel fuel or bioethanol (France, Spain, Russia, Germany).
3. Equipping NNSs with long-range missiles capable of carrying SBPs (Israel, PRC, RK, RP).
4. Deployment of an underwater combat network based on NSVs based on NNSs capable of detecting, transferring the control center for the use of weapons of NNSs, and, if necessary, attacking enemy ships themselves (Italy, Germany).
I really wanted to write something new about the implementation of the program for the construction of our boats of project 677D Lada, project 777A Kalina, but, unfortunately, there is little material, and even then based on the stories of former colleagues. Therefore, this significant segment of the narrative remains free for coverage by other authors who are not indifferent to the construction of the country's submarine fleet.
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