SSK Diesel/Electric Sub Thread (AIP too)
- Thread starter Jeff Head
- Start date
Zool
Junior Member
There is no confirmation of what type sub was tracking the USS Ronald Reagan; that it was a Chinese Kilo is just speculation. If you read some of the reports out of CNN you can have a laugh at the carrier being stalked by a 'Kilo Class Fast Attack Sub'.
I would not be surprised if it was actually a 093 variant in order to keep pace with the CBG. Otherwise it was less stalking and more passing by.
plawolf
Lieutenant General
If the sub really did shadow the carrier for half a day, it couldn't have been a Kilo unless the Regan decided to drop anchor and chill for the afternoon.
For a sub to have been able to keep up with a carrier strike group, it has to be nuclear, or at least something with AIP like a Yuan. But even an AIP Yuan will probably not be able to run several hours on AIP at 30+knots.
For a sub to have been able to keep up with a carrier strike group, it has to be nuclear, or at least something with AIP like a Yuan. But even an AIP Yuan will probably not be able to run several hours on AIP at 30+knots.
SamuraiBlue
Captain
AIP doesn't have the power to run the motors at full speed.
Brumby
Major
I understand even with the Soryu (with AIP) it can only deliver 6 knots. It is overrated and not worth the negatives that the newer Soryu's have gone to LIB's instead.
I do not think any AIP sub is capable of running at 30 knots at all.
Generally the AIP unit is not for high speed use...rather, for slow speed use to extend submerged time significantly.
The submerged speed for almost all Diesel/Electrics, including AIPs is 20 knots max. Most surfaced speeds are 10-12 knots.
This includes the:
Type 212
Type 214
Yuan
Dolphin
Scorpion
Gotland
Kilo
S80
There are reports that the Dolphin II and the Lada may be capable of 25 knots...but to date, those are just reports, and I would have to see pretty darn good proof of it to believe even that.
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Brumby
Major
Jeff,
I understand AIP's provide the capability to operate at slow speed for extended periods. I don't believe high speed and AIP are even compatible. Can you confirm that. For example, I read that the Soryu's optimal speed is 6 knots using AIP for three days (source : Submarine matters).
I will look for documentation...but I believe that is correct.
Used for slow speed underwater transit so as to extend submerged time significantly.
Exact, the more fast SSK are Argentinians Type Tr 1700 a big customized Type 209.
Except them max 22 kn in general 17/20.
AIP systems allow a speed of ~ 4 kn during 2/4 weeks possible the SSK move more fast but then energy lost in some days.
Move in AIP mode is mainly usefull for a SSK which patrol near of the coast in shallow water
in a defensive mission mainly and in this waters SSN are less comfortable the best AIP SSK can have a noise also low as the best SSN.
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