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

[Biscuits]

The 688i still represents about half the US Navy's active SSN fleet. If the Type 093B matches (or exceeds) the quietness of the 688i, the US Navy would be engulfed in panic and hysteria right now. But they do not appear to be particularly concerned. And I think that says a lot about their internal assessment of the Type 093B. Regardless of what they say in public, I just don't believe they perceive the 093B as a genuine threat. They certainly don't act like it.

That's just pure cope. We haven't seen the PLAN in panic and hysteria over latest virginia either, by the same logic, it should be presumed ASW, 093Bs and SSKs render those into complete non-genuine threats?

 

[snake65]

Let's stick to facts.
US Navy SSNs are the main threat, both by quality and numbers. There's just a handful of top-notch British and French subs and Russians are no longer considered enemies (anyway only 5 Yasen-M). There are 24 Virginias built so far and with SSN-X significantly delayed (as expected) and 688i being phased out, we'll probably see another 25 added in the next 10 or so years. Block IV boat takes 4-5 years from keel laying to commissioning, Brits, French and Russians are slower - 8-10 years.

If 093B indeed is mass produced I see two possibilities:
- 095 is still a decade away from mass production and Navy needs numbers (both boats and personnel)
- 093B is at least as good as 688i and, if some components from 095 are introduced, on level with early VAs and Astutes.

Otherwise mass production does not make sense.

 

[Hub]

Let's stick to facts.
US Navy SSNs are the main threat, both by quality and numbers. There's just a handful of top-notch British and French subs and Russians are no longer considered enemies (anyway only 5 Yasen-M). There are 24 Virginias built so far and with SSN-X significantly delayed (as expected) and 688i being phased out, we'll probably see another 25 added in the next 10 or so years. Block IV boat takes 4-5 years from keel laying to commissioning, Brits, French and Russians are slower - 8-10 years.

If 093B indeed is mass produced I see two possibilities:
- 095 is still a decade away from mass production and Navy needs numbers (both boats and personnel)
- 093B is at least as good as 688i and, if some components from 095 are introduced, on level with early VAs and Astutes.

Otherwise mass production does not make sense.

Based on almost decade observations, my opinion is:

1, We will see the first 095 soon, very likely in this year. The significance of 095 is closer to that of 055 in terms of surface ships, and its positioning is more like that of the Seawolf class;

2, The 093B is more like the 052D, with all the functions, but limited by the original design and size, the performance still has some limitations. As for its most critical quietness, I think it is definitely better than all LA class, and may have reached the level of the early VA. This is a conclusion based on the reading and understanding of a large number of relevant papers.