Yuan Class AIP & Kilo Submarine Thread

ACuriousPLAFan

Brigadier
Registered Member
I don't think UUVs will replace manned fleet subs of any nature in the coming few decades. Subs, by their nature, work with very limited data (no radar, no active sonar, sporadic communications). This means human intuition is very important for submarines which is why submarine crews get a special treatment in most navies. What they do is more art than science. AI will likely not reach that level for a few more decades.

SSNs will get roles that SSKs can't fullfill like anti-shipping patrols in the Pacific Ocean therefore they won't be available for missions SSKs are currently tasked with. There are just too many to replace in a reasonable time period. So I expect China to maintain a fleet of a few dozen SSKs for decades to come which means we are likely to see a Yuan successor at some point.
Besides, China is expected to initiate the construction of the SSK-Ns very soon, which will be a significant leap over the present-day SSKs in PLAN service in terms of speed, long-duration stealth and endurance. These SSK-Ns will first complement, before succeeding, the SSKs in their intended roles and (hopefully beyond the constrains of the 1IC).

UUVs, meanwhile, will be more viable to perform in the roles of:
- ISR and counter-ISR
- Communication relays and nodes
- Minelaying and minesweeping
- Seabed warfare (e.g. tapping onto/cutting enemy undersea communication cables)
 
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by78

General
A pair of Yuans in the same frame.

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53283069870_6c7cabb4af_k.jpg

53282882088_baabe9b0d4_k.jpg
 

BoraTas

Captain
Registered Member
Type 039C? 093B is great but this is even better.

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To be honest it was pretty obvious from the start. You would only incorporate such a shape to deflect radar and active sonar waves. And I don't think these subs are the first conventional ones with a towed array. Passive detection of good subs without a towed array is impossible nowadays.
 

gelgoog

Lieutenant General
Registered Member
To be honest it was pretty obvious from the start. You would only incorporate such a shape to deflect radar and active sonar waves. And I don't think these subs are the first conventional ones with a towed array. Passive detection of good subs without a towed array is impossible nowadays.
The Dutch Walrus class submarines have towed array. They are from the 1990s.
 
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