New SSN (09X vs 09VA) thread
- Thread starter ACuriousPLAFan
- Start date
No, it seems this is new. Thanks for posting.
So this is the JN 09X hull getting ready to be launched back in late May/early June.
Not too many new details that we didn't already know about, but it further demonstrates a likely pumpjet (which is expected).
We've already had clearer pictures from other angles showing it does have a small but distinctive sail, and the Japanese report for some reason have chosen to focus on that particular satellite image of its launch seemingly without being aware of the other images since then.
So I would not read into what they've written (indeed, probably better to actively and aggressively ignore it), and to just take the satellite image for what its worth -- a nice satellite image of the launch process, but which doesn't definitively give us much which we didn't already know.
But wasn't there a debate on whether the sail is truly miniaturized?
There was debate, however we then got pictures of it from other angles which essentially settled it.
I.e. there is a slightly smaller sail relative to past PLAN nuclear submarines but it is of similar height to traditional sails, even if it is a bit shorter. Not sufficient to call it particularly miniaturised.
This satellite picture of its launch doesn't add anything new in that regard and certainly doesn't reopen the debate.
But this photo shows that the sail appears very small. Unless my eyes are fooling me, the sail of this sub is not of similar heights to traditional ones.
Why does that matter?
We have had other pictures of the submarine (from satellite and from aircraft) showing it does have a sail, from different angles. I recommend you read this thread from the beginning to end.
Because if you have read this thread and taken its contents, then I am in awe at why you would think this specific satellite image supersedes the other images we've had of it already?
As for why it looks like the "sail appearing very small" in this picture -- of image angle/sun angle and/or image quality are all obvious explanations.
I did follow the thread to remember the debate. However, I don't recall that we have settled the case whether there might be two types or two configurations of the same type of the new SSNs, one with sail of the similar heights to the traditional ones, another with a miniature sail.
For this particular one, I am using the shadows of the hull and the dry dock superstructure for reference. A sail "of the similar heights to traditional sails" would have its shadow cast on the dry dock floor extruding from the hull's shadow thus visible.
This image settled the debate for me and made all other imagery essentially redundant (including this new satellite image)
