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

[escobar]

12 VLS?

 

[escobar]

A new 093B SSN (possibly 8th - Or maybe even 9th?!) getting launched at Huludao Shipyard just recently, if this is indeed a new boat. Posted by @foolsball on Twitter.

View attachment 144946

 

[ACuriousPLAFan]

12 VLS?
View attachment 145189

Then I suppose this confirms that the 093B SSNs do in fact have VLS tubes.

Also, it looks like the 093B SSNs have notably fewer VLS tubes per boat than what we've been expecting so far (16-24 VLS tubes per boat), if that 093B SSN in the satellite photo has indeed opened all of its VLS tube covers.

Though, the number is somewhat understandable, given that there is no notable increase in overall length of the SSN itself. All of the Los Angeles Flights 2 and 3 SSNs and the Virginia Block 1 till 4 SSNs have only 12 VLS tubes/cells per boat.

 

[Maikeru]

I suppose this confirms that the 093B SSN does in fact has VLS tubes then?

Seems like the 093B SSNs have notably fewer VLS tubes per boat than what we've been expecting so far (16-24 VLS tubes), if this shows all of the VLS tube covers being opened.

Though, if the number is indeed true, then it is somewhat understandable, given that there is no increase in overall length of the submarine itself. The Los Angeles Flights 2 and 3 SSNs and the Virginia Block 1 till 4 SSNs all have only 12 VLS tubes/cells per boat.

There appears to be sufficient room for a further 12 VLS between the fin and the exposed 12. At least confirmed is 3 abreast.

 

[ACuriousPLAFan]

Interesting to note in that deleted article link is the assertion that the 093B is about the same length as a 093/093A which begs the question of whether it actually has a VLS setup. If it is 110m as estimated the chance that it has a VLS IMO is somewhere in the neighborhood of zero.

This is of course FAR easier said than done. It's not like "optimization" can all of a sudden magically provide additional space for EIGHTEEN VLS tubes and associated interfaces, power, cooling, wiring, etc. in a space that's already being used for something else. It would be far easier to simply insert a new section into the middle of the hull, for example like in the Block V Virginias.


Yes, this is what I was alluding to when I said "In which case you have to take away a significant amount of space from the interior of the sub which is already in use by something else".


How are you reasonably sure this is a graphic of the 093B rather than some other hypothetical design, such as the 095 or even a "093C"?

^^^ The above posts by @escobar should be answering your questions.

 

[ACuriousPLAFan]

There appears to be sufficient room for a further 12 VLS between the fin and the exposed 12. At least confirmed is 3 abreast.

Am afraid not.

Notice the shadows of the sail structure and the scaffolding extrusions around the VLS section on the top SSN. The rear edge of the base of the sail structure that gradually tapers to the hull looks to be pretty damn right in front of the forward edge of the VLS section.

In the meantime, the section that is directly behind the rear edge of the VLS section doesn't seem to resemble having VLS tubes either, but that might just be me.

 

[ACuriousPLAFan]

In the meantime, @foolsball on Twitter mentioned that the (shaping of the) wrapping on the tail section of the 093B SSN inside the drydock very much resembles that of a pump-jet propulsor.



Here's one from a Virginia SSN for reference.

 

[tphuang]

I don't know why people were expecting more than this. 093B is quite space constrained. 093B doesn't appear to be noticeably longer than 093A. You need space for all the propulsion equipments, sonar, computation/control platform and living quarters. I would assume maybe greater automation allowed them to save on crew size & living quarter space.

3 across. I wonder what size the VLS tubes are.

 

[Maikeru]

I don't know why people were expecting more than this. 093B is quite space constrained. 093B doesn't appear to be noticeably longer than 093A. You need space for all the propulsion equipments, sonar, computation/control platform and living quarters. I would assume maybe greater automation allowed them to save on crew size & living quarter space.

3 across. I wonder what size the VLS tubes are.

Why? Because of the model (18 VLS) and poster (24 VLS).

 

[ACuriousPLAFan]

3 across. I wonder what size the VLS tubes are.

Perhaps having information on the width of the base of the sail structure could be helpful in estimating the rough sizes of the VLS tubes.