Yuan Class AIP & Kilo Submarine Thread

[Maikeru]

Tom Shughart now saying on X that the new 041 Zhao class (if that's what it is) has twin towed arrays, a first for PLAN subs.

The one good thing to come out of this whole "dredged" up story in the high-res image above.

 

[Blitzo]

Tom Shughart now saying on X that the new 041 Zhao class (if that's what it is) has twin towed arrays, a first for PLAN subs.

The one good thing to come out of this whole "dredged" up story in the high-res image above.

Well, I would say it's the first time that we've seen two openings for what could be towed arrays above the waterline.

(Considering towed array openings can very much be below the waterline as well)

 

[vincent]

What is the point of two towed array? The array in a line will get dragged by the sub through the water, what benefits are there to have two wires dragged behind the sub?

 

[Blitzo]

What is the point of two towed array? The array in a line will get dragged by the sub through the water, what benefits are there to have two wires dragged behind the sub?

For submarines with two towed arrays they're often of different lengths and one would typically be a "thick" line and one would be a "thin" line covering different frequencies with different apertures, and my understanding is some are better for different depths (thick lines generally not suitable for shallower depths).


That said the specific roles are a bit beyond me, but it is generally well accepted that two towed arrays are the current gold standard for submarine towed array sensor fits.