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>Could >In the 1990s, submarines powered by Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) technology entered operational use. Though the concept dated back to the 19th cent
by shadilay 5y ago
>Could
>In the 1990s, submarines powered by Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) technology entered operational use. Though the concept dated back to the 19th century and had been tested in a few prototype vessels, it was left to Sweden to deploy the first operational AIP-powered submarine, the Gotland-class, which proved to be stealthy and relatively long enduring. The 60-meter long Gotlands are powered by a Stirling-cycle engine, a heat engine consuming a combination of liquid oxygen and diesel fuel.
AIP is not new and has been operational for decades.
- HPsquared 5y agoThings move pretty slowly in the world of naval architecture.
- tomjen3 5y agoThose Gotland class submarines are another tier entirely compared to other submarines, so I don't think it is fair to dismis this entirely as having been operational for decades.
- pge 5y agoThe first Gotlands were launched in 1995, and I'm fairly certain that German-made diesel subs (Type 209s) were being retrofitted with Stirling engines well before the Gotlands begin construction in 1992.
- ethbr0 5y agoThe US leased a Gotland w crew in 2005 for a year, so it's fair to say this isn't a new development. https://jalopnik.com/sweden-has-a-sub-thats-so-deadly-the-us-navy-hired-it-t-1649695984 https://jalopnik.com/sweden-has-a-sub-thats-so-deadly-the-us...