Submarine Warfare

Submarines: Air-Independent Propulsion

Longer, quieter underwater endurance than diesel-electric, but without nuclear complications

German Type 212 class U34 in transit. AIP driven. Photo credit: Bundeswehr-Fotos, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

I wrote recently about Russia launching Kalibr missiles from its Varshavianka (Improved Kilo) class submarines in the Black Sea. That set me off to explore the latest submarine technology and Air-Independent Propulsion, although not new as such, is certainly leading the way in the non-nuclear fleets. And in some countries with nuclear fleets too. Here’s what I discovered.

Endurance is an issue

Nuclear submarines are said to have ‘unlimited’ underwater endurance, but we know that’s not accurate. They may have unlimited power, perhaps for many years without reactor refuelling (the UK Astute class is designed for 25 years), power which can be used to make fresh water (the critical resource for any mariner) and generate oxygen from seawater.

But mariners need food too. As far as I know, nuclear submarines cannot grow food — hydroponic systems are not yet that far advanced, although they may carry dehydrated food. And I don’t think they do too much fishing either. The amount of food a nuclear submarine carries is probably classified information.