4*320kW sterling engine from the post
Rumoured "mini-nuke/diesel" Submarine SSK-N(?) thread
- Thread starter ACuriousPLAFan
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4*320kW sterling engine from the post
None of those are necessarily the case, assuming this mini-nuke is real and the descriptors of it are anywhere near reality.
1. It is impossible to talk about cost effectiveness if we cannot compare like for like. This mini-nuke (if it's real) will ultimately still be much slower than a proper nuclear submarine (even if it is faster than a traditional SSK), as well as displace much less and have less capable sensors, less volume for insulation and weapons and crew habitation facilities. In other words, you cannot compare cost effectiveness between two very different platforms.
2. We have no idea whether this supposed mini-nuke will be more stealthy than a proper nuclear submarine under similar operational demands/speeds/other characteristics.
3. We don't know how many mini-nukes will be procured versus how many proper nuclear submarines will be procured.
In other words, all three of these points are doubtful at best.
Instead of viewing the "mini-nuke" as being able to do the roles of a proper nuclear attack submarine "but smaller, more cost effective, and better in every way," you should probably view the "mini-nuke" as a "SSK but with longer endurance".
It is difficult to do long endurance missions on such cramped and small submarines. And you cannot put certain kinds of weapons in them.
But they probably make sense for the Chinese Navy given it still mostly operates within the confines of the First Island Chain.
I think that is the reason why the French originally had those small nuclear submarines as well.
Another example would be the Soviet Alfa class submarine. It was built kind of like an interceptor submarine.
But they probably make sense for the Chinese Navy given it still mostly operates within the confines of the First Island Chain.
I think that is the reason why the French originally had those small nuclear submarines as well.
Another example would be the Soviet Alfa class submarine. It was built kind of like an interceptor submarine.
A battery SSKN is basically a serial hybrid. There is no need for a mechanical shaft transmission with an electric motor. In addition you gain the advantage of no longer needing a straight mechanical path to the propeller and can use more flexible wiring, saving significant space.
However, here they're using Stirling, which has some additional relevant advantages. Since the reactor is solely a heat source, you don't have a turbine, which means you can eliminate the complexities of the steam turbine loop, and only have the heat exchanger loop.
One thing to note, the batteries act as a reservoir of not just energy, but power since it can discharge fast to provide higher peak power for sprints. This decouples peak energy output from peak speed - just charge at low speed for longer. That means you can run at lower power for even lower noise generation and can rely on natural convection more.
However, here they're using Stirling, which has some additional relevant advantages. Since the reactor is solely a heat source, you don't have a turbine, which means you can eliminate the complexities of the steam turbine loop, and only have the heat exchanger loop.
One thing to note, the batteries act as a reservoir of not just energy, but power since it can discharge fast to provide higher peak power for sprints. This decouples peak energy output from peak speed - just charge at low speed for longer. That means you can run at lower power for even lower noise generation and can rely on natural convection more.
I'm thinking if it is one of those 4th gen reactor with self regulated reaction feature then you don't even need a primary cooling circuit. The system can be extremely simplified with just the reactor chamber and a couple of stirling engines attached to it, maybe a cooling circuit on the cold side of stirling engines
1. Sure, you can think of it as a SSK with nuclear endurance and high persistent speed like SSN. The cost will be certainly much lower than SSN if not simply for the weapon, tonnage, and crew size. The only question is how much cheaper.
2. It was literally claimed on the slide to be comparable noise to conventional. Yes it is steathier. See page 1.
3. It is not directly stated, but it makes logical sense a cheap powerful platform in high demand will have high number.
Again, it is not a nuclear attack sub, it dont carry VLS. I made it very clear in previous post. But the fact these "nuclear-like SSK" will help China own the ocean means 'proper nuclear sub' can be freed to do its job in less quantity.
Who knows, maybe this kind of submarine will redefine definition of nuclear attack sub, if it turn out to be the most popular type. We may retroactively rename classic version to "nuclear guided missile attack sub" or something.
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Doesnt make much sense. Nuclear subs are space efficient. No need for fuel and all. It is limited by food supply and what not.
These will not be for first island chain. China have enough convrntional sub for it. It may very well venture to hawaii, or west coast even. It is a week trip, nothing for SSN standard.
yep but there are alot of practical problems that need to be solved before we reach that point, of course.
There is another advantage for this SSKN. it will definitly not only be built at Jiagnan but also at Wuchang shipyard. Wuchang is far much more inland than the Bohai shipyard or the other Shipyards at Dalian and near Shanghai that produce the DDGs, the shipyard should be much better protected and the SSKNs themselves are probably more survivable in case of a full blown war with the US than the DDGs or the Aircraft carriers.
In a hypothetical scenario the US could target the Chinese shipyards that are nearer to the coastoal areas in the east using American SSGNs. Wuchang is far more inland so they could mass produce SSKNs that will have infinite range & can remain underwater indefinitely only limited by the amount of food carried in the submarine while the shipyard itself would be far much better protected.
In a hypothetical scenario the US could target the Chinese shipyards that are nearer to the coastoal areas in the east using American SSGNs. Wuchang is far more inland so they could mass produce SSKNs that will have infinite range & can remain underwater indefinitely only limited by the amount of food carried in the submarine while the shipyard itself would be far much better protected.