Swarms of Chinese Mini-UUVs Threatening Aussie Submarines

On October 29, 2019 news came to hand in Australia's Blue Moutains Gazette (see https://www.bluemountainsgazette.com.au/story/6465062/new-sub-could-be-google-maps-for-the-ocean/?cs=9397 )

of a mini-unmanned undersea vehicle (UUV) that can operate in swarms "Not only...to discover new species of marine life and track climate change, but in time...to optimise search and rescue operations, locate wreckages and black boxes, and much more."

Melbourne (Australia) mini-UUV.  (Photo courtesy Blue Moutains Gazette )

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Pete Comment

This invention could carry small sonars. This invention and others like it, being developed in China, Japan, the US, UK and Europe could operate in swarms to detect submarines - making submarines an obsolete, increasingly vulnerable technology. 

Think of a flotilla 20 low cost Chinese "trawlers" all peacefully "catching fish", but actually acting as a "mother-ship" each for 200 Chinese low-cost mass produced mini-UUVs. So that equals 4,000 UUVs per flotilla. 

These flotillas can be assisted by the fixed seabed and tethered anti-submarine sonar sensors China is already stringing across East Asian seas.

Such a flotilla can operate in entirely flexible reconfigurable ways, particularly to track very slow moving (when fully submerged) Australian conventional submarines (SSKs) eg. by being strung in front of, behind and even around an Australian SSK in a tightening sonar net.

Or consider several 4,000 UUV flotillas all mothered by plausibly fishing low cost Chinese trawlers being strung in-line across the East China Sea or South China Sea for months to track and ensnare Japanese, Singaporean or South Korean SSKs.

The possibilities are endless, cheap and can occur in peacetime - no need for expensive naval assets. 

They can "cue" naval assets to easily destroy our submarines, if and when conflict breaks out.

Pete 

Naval Group's 2nd Generation Fuel Cell AIP "ready to be marketed"

A French friend drew the following to my attention. Here is part of Vincent Groizeleau's Mer et Marine (all the maritime news), September 27, 2019, article (which I have translated from French and bolded some bits) at https://www.meretmarine.com/fr/content/sous-marins-le-nouvel-aip-de-naval-group-tient-ses-promesses :

“Submarines: Naval Group's new AIP delivers on its promises”

Naval Group's development of an Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system for submarines based on a new generation of fuel cells passed a crucial milestone this year. The ground system of the Naval Group's, installed at its Indret site, close to Nantes [in France], indeed worked for 18 days in conditions representative of a real patrol. "It was a question of closely checking the functioning of the system with a profile of operational use, as well as the autonomy of diving. For 18 days, the system, connected to batteries (to be representative of actual use on a submarine) produced electricity from diesel fuel, operating at high pressure, which means that it does not limit diving depth.

[The were simulations of] Transits, very slow speeds, accelerations, fast surface rises, stops of the AIP followed by restarting, management of a possible breakdown or damage ... As on a real submarine, the system was confronted with situations to validate its performance and reliability.

...Called AIP FC-2G (Fuel Cell Second Generation - FC-2G), this system has required a decade of research. Technologically, it includes two main innovations. First, the hydrogen used for fuel cell operation is manufactured directly on board, via a chemical reforming process from diesel fuel used by diesel-generators. This process provides increased security through the absence of hydrogen storage on board. The exhaust fumes are discarded discreetly, since they dissolve instantly in the water. In parallel, Naval Group has designed a patented system to produce air by injecting nitrogen into the oxygen inlet of the cell, this oxygen is stored in cryogenic form in a tank. Synthetic air reacts with hydrogen in the fuel cell to produce electricity, which powers the submarine's batteries and the electric propulsion motor. The battery is confined in a closed and ventilated enclosure to control a possible leakage of hydrogen or oxygen.

Principle of the device [above] (© NAVAL GROUP)

1: the reformer is used to produce hydrogen from diesel fuel

2: the component is used to increase the hydrogen yield and eliminate the carbon monoxide produced

    by the reformer

3: Purification membranes feed fuel cells with ultra-pure hydrogen

4: Fuel cells produce electricity from hydrogen and oxygen

5: the tank stores oxygen in liquid form

...Standalone operation or in tandem with batteries

Designed for a lifespan of 10,000 hours, the fuel cell has a capacity of 250 kW. It feeds the electrical plant when the submarine is in AIP mode, thus allowing the electric propulsion motor to run and provides for the [submarine's hotel load power needs]. The submarine can rely on this AIP system alone at a speed of up to about 5 knots, knowing that to obtain a range of three weeks in diving, the use profile varies between 2 and 4 knots. To do this, the power required for the AIP FC-2G is between 130 and 180 kW. Beyond that, you have to tap into the batteries, the passage from one energy source to another being done without interruption. 

Many advantages over other systems

Architecturally, the Naval Group AIP FC-2G has a considerable advantage over existing AIP systems (that store hydrogen in external tanks, posing weight problems (ie. 130 to 160 tons of hydrides of which less than 2% is usable hydrogen) and other AIP systems refueling problems). Fuel cells currently in service use, in addition, pure oxygen, which generates high wear, with filters and membranes needing to be replaced very regularly. AIP FC-2G is more efficient, according to Naval Group, as AIP FC-2G offers (according to its designers) duration of use between each major maintenance approximately five times higher than that of its foreign competitors. "Our system really fits into the operational scheme of a submarine. It only requires a short interruption of three weeks each year - the only equipment to be changed during this maintenance period being the catalysts. In the meantime, there is nothing to do! Says Marc Quémeneur [AIP product manager at Naval Group].

Finally, the choice of hydrogen production from diesel fuel facilitates refueling and storage (single fuel on the submarine) while improving safety compared to systems using, for example, methanol, which are more flammable and introduce toxic products in case of leakage.

The device fully integrated in a standalone module

Like MESMA, (the first AIP developed by the French group and which equips Pakistan’s Agosta 90Bs) the entire AIP FC-2G system is grouped in a single module, autonomous from the rest of the submarine. The system is housed in a hull section about 8 meters long integrated into the submarine  from the beginning or added after overhaul with a minimum of modifications to the submarine. AIP FC-2G is adaptable to submarines with a diameter of at least 6 meters, such as Scorpene or the conventional propulsion version of the Barracuda. AIP FC-2G is obviously designed not to impact overall performance, starting with diving depth and acoustic discretion.

...AIP FC-2G is therefore "ready to be marketed" and already proposed by Naval Group to a number of navies. 

...While AIP FC-2G has been tested with traditional lead-acid batteries, Naval Group is also working on integration with submarines using lithium-ion battery technology, which will expand operational performance. ENDS
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See Vincent Groizeleau's full Mer et Marine report, with more illustrations, here https://www.meretmarine.com/fr/content/sous-marins-le-nouvel-aip-de-naval-group-tient-ses-promesses 

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Pete Comment

Naval Group may well have timed this article with a view to India's Project 75I competition for 6 submarines with AIP. Also the Dutch Walrus submarine replacement competition may require AIP. Australia, building 12 conventional propulsion versions of the Barracuda (known as the Attack class) may also decide on AIP for the first or later batches.

Current users of Naval Group Scorpenes (Chile, Malaysia, India and Brazil) might perhaps also decide to retrofit their Scorpenes with AIP FC-2G.

Indonesia May Buy 4 to 6 Regionally Superior Type 214 Submarines

Indonesia is undergoing a quick and efficient submarine expansion program. Indonesia has 2 aging German built Type 209s, 2 South Korean new build 209s and 1 209 built in Indonesia (see Table below). Three more 209s are being jointly built by South Korea and Indonesia with delivery to the Indonesian Navy by around 2026. That totals 8 209s by 2026.

Some naval, political and industrial factions in Indonesia understandably see a need for a total of 12 submarines to defend Indonesia’s huge archipelagic sea space. Twelve also happens to equal the number of 12 future submarines planned by Indonesia’s southern neighbour Australia for the Australian Navy. Indonesia’s healthy economic growth (just over 5% a year) can afford it. Indonesia is forecast to have the world’s fourth largest economy by 2030.

Indonesia appears to have a requirement beyond 2024 for 4 (to make up 12) or 6 more submarines (to make up 12 owing to any replacement of Indonesia’s 2 aging "Cakra" 209s (delivered in 1981)). Janes advises Turkey's ship and submarine builder STM [with German backing] gave a presentation to the Indonesian Navy on 12 February 2019. This was to market German designed Turkish built 209s and Type 214s submarines to the Indonesian Navy.

Type 214 submarines feature air independent propulsion (AIP) technology allowing them to remain fully submerged longer than the plain diesel electric (only) submarines that Australia envisages for the future Attack class. In that sense Indonesian Type 214 submarines would be regionally superior to Australia’s current and future submarines. Australian submarines have poorer fully submerged performance than submarines with AIP or Lithium-ion Battery technology because our current and future submarines will lack those technologies.

Germany appears to be supporting Turkey’s bid to export submarines to Indonesia. In 2011 a joint German/Turkish bid to sell 209s to Indonesia had been unable to compete with South Korea (which had 209 export rights) to export 209s. Anonymous advises this would have caused some German resentment.

Now in 2019 a German (TKMS)/Turkish (STM) bid to sell 4 Turkish built 209s would still be likely to be outbid by South Korea’s technology transfers, continuity of supply and soft loans all effectively meaning a cheaper price and benefits for Indonesian industry.

However if Germany/Turkey instead managed to sell Turkish built 214s to Indonesia Germany/Turkey would have a complete advantage over South Korea. This is because Germany has given Turkey rights to export 214s while South Korea has been given no such rights.

Indonesia, with the last of 8 209s to be received by 2026, may want to receive the first of 4 x 214s by 2027. This may mean Indonesia would need to secure a 214 contract with Turkey in 2021-2022.

So by 2030 Indonesia may have 12 submarines possibly including 4 regionally superior Type 214s with AIP and perhaps 2 more 214s by 2032.   2030 will be a year that Australia will still only have 6 aging (hence regionally inferior) Collins class submarines. According to current schedules (likely to slip) Australia will be operating its first Attack class submarine only by 2035. However having no AIP nor Lithium-ion batteries Australia’s Attack class will be inferior to the Type 214s of Australia’s nearest submarine neighbour and strategic competitor, Indonesia.
-----------------------------------------------

Indonesian Submarine Table (1981 – 2035)

Class/Sub Name/No.	Launched/ Delivered	Details – Comments
KRI = Ship of Republic of Indonesia.
Cakra class Type 209s		Two sub Cakra class German HDW (now TKMS) built in Kiel. Are Type 209/1300s. 8 x 533mm tubes with 14 x AEG torpedoes. Specs last refurbished 2012.[18]
KRI Cakra 401	1981	Specs   Old at 2019 may be for training only.
KRI Nanggala 402	delivered 1981	Specs  Old, still operational 2019.
Nagapasa class – Batch 1 of Type 209s		3 submarine contract signed with South Korea's DSME, December 20, 2011. US$1.12 Billion total to build 3 x Improved Chang Bogo Type 209 variants of the Type 209/1400 (beating Russian, French and German/Turkish bids with greater South Korean technology transfer and soft loans)
KRI Nagapasa 403	Delivered 2017	1st Nagapasa
KRI Ardadedali 404	Delivered 2018	2nd Nagapasa
KRI Alugoro 405	Launched April 2019 Surabaya	3rd Nagapasa, Commissioned 2019? PT PAL assembled.
Nagapasa class – Batch 2 of Type 209s no submarine names so far, ie:		US$1 billion contract with DSME signed April 12, 2019 in Bandung, Indonesia, to conclude in late March 2026. for contract with South Korea’s three Type 209/1400  submarines.
KRI ?????????  406	Probably 2024.	4th Nagapasa PT PAL to build 2 modules  to be sent to Okpo, South Korea (SK) where sub will be assembled with DSME’s 4 modules.
KRI ?????????  407	Probably 2025.	5th Nagapasa PT PAL to build 4 modules to be sent to Okpo SK, to be assmbled with DSME's 2 modules
KRI ?????????  408	By 2026.	6th Nagapasa may be assembled by PT PAL Surabaya, Indonesia.
Possible 4 to 6 more Nagapasa Type 209s (409 to 414) OR 4 to 6 Type 214s (409 to 414)	By 2030	Possible 4 to 6 (with the 2 aging Cakras retiring) future Nagapasa Type 209s. First likely built in South Korea. Final 3 or 5 may be assembled by PT PAL, Surabaya, Indonesia. OR German designed, Turkish built Type 214s  (with AIP)

Pete

Type 212NFS Submarines with Lithium-ion Batteries planned by Italy

Italy's Senate Defense Committee has approved the construction in Italy of the first 2 of a planned 4 Type 212NFS (Near Future Submarines) for the Italian Navy. 

It is envisaged these will have Lithium-ion Batteries (LIBs).

See further details at:

-  https://www.udt-global.com/__media/libraries/sensors-and-processing/116---Vincenzo-Pennino-Slides.pdf and

-  https://www.portaledifesa.it/index~phppag,3_id,2260_pubb,2_npp,16_npag,126.html
   "...the contract will be signed for the acquisition of the two new U-212 NFS (Near Future
   Submarine) for the Navy. The boats will be a little longer than [Italy's 4 Type 212A Todaro-class
   submarines and] above all, they will have a greater Italian industrial content. For example,
   electronic warfare, including the CEMS part, will be by Elettronica. The propulsion
   will be AIP, always based on Siemens PEM cells, but with lithium ion batteries of Italian
   production." 

Lithium polymer (Li-Po) Batteries "Safer" for Submarines

On October 27, 2019 Anonymous (with some editing by Pete) reported:

  

In the quest for longer term safer Lithium battery solutions for submarines it is pointed out existing Lithium ion batteries (LIBs) mostly use electrolytes in organic liquid solution, while Lithium polymer (Li-Po) batteries use electrolytes in polymer gel (semi-solid) solution.

Li-Po is safer than existing LIBs due to the properties of polymer gel. 

Li-Po is a polymer gel version of LIBs. There are many types of Li-Po, such as Li-Po NMC (lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide).

Dutch battery manufacturing company EST-Floattech is commercializing Lithium Polymer (“Green Orca”) batteries for marine applications.

Green Orca Modules use EST-Floattech partner Kokam’s Li-Po NMC pouch cells. The brochure below indicates: "The technical design choices for the Green Orca® [energy storage system] ESS started with a high performance Li-Ion battery cell and resulted in the world’s safest, DNV-GL certified Li-Ion ESS." Further down the NMC chemistry has a “high energy density and overall strong performance while the pouch shape ensures better heat dissipation resulting in excellent efficiency”. See further details in the brochure at [1].

Examples A and B are Anonymous’ estimated arrangements of Green Orca based on module and estimated sizes in a future SAAB-DAMEN modified A26 submarine. Anonymous estimates a battery capacity of 10 – 20 MW if Green Orcas are used in such a SAAB-DAMEN submarine.

[1] “Green Orca High Energy, Technical Brochure” by the EST-Floattech.com [with Kokam] https://www.est-floattech.com/app/uploads/2019/06/greenorca-technicalbrochure-144dpi.pdf 

An energy module (weighing 82 kg) consists of 14 cells, its size is W x H x D = 335 mm x 541 mm x 542 mm. Its capacity is 10.5kWh (14 cells x 200Ah x 3.7V = 10.36kWh). Capacity per weight is 126Wh/kg (10.36kWh/82kg) [with a Cycle Life of approximately "4,600 cycles"]. Capacity of Lithium Iron Phosphate is 90-120Wh/kg.

Anonymous’ Estimated Arrangements in a future SAAB-DAMEN modified A26 submarine:

Example A - Two battery sections with module arrangement of double stacking, 12 rows and 20 lines

                      of module. Total number of batteries is 960 (= 2 sections x 12 rows x 20 lines 

                      x 2 stacks). This would yield total power capacity is 9.94 MWh.

Example B  - Two battery sections with module arrangement of triple stacking, 12 rows and 20 lines

                       of modules. This would yield total power capacity 14.9 MW.

Anonymous and Pete

South Korea Looking At France's Barracuda SSN or Just the K15 Reactor

In Submarine Matters’ “South Korea seeks Submarine Reactors from US and RUSSIA” of October 22, 2019 South Korea may have concluded it is better to buy an existing submarine reactor, designs or at least a ship reactor than totally reinvent a submarine reactor. 

Since 2017 (if not earlier) South Korea has been considering France’s new Barracuda SSN with its K15 (aka K 15 aka K-15) reactor. With North Korea's buildup of nuclear weapon and missile capabilities South Korea, in October 2019, has been testing any increased US willingness for South Korea to explore nuclear propulsion options. 

"In October 2017, the [South Korean] Navy commissioned the Seoul-based Korea Defense Network to conduct a five month study on the feasibility of developing an indigenous nuclear-powered attack submarine. The think tank reported in March 2018 the results to the Navy, suggesting the service build a nuclear attack submarine along the lines of the French 5,300-ton Barracuda-class sub. The French sub is fueled by low-enriched uranium."

It is conceivable that France may want to sell a complete French built Barracuda to South Korea, supply just the Barracuda’s K15 reactor or transfer technology (including a reactor design) for South Korea to incorporate in its 4,000+ tonne KSS III Batch III building program. Thus KSS III Batch III would become the nuclear propelled KSSN or KSSX-N.

The Barracuda’s K15 reactor has the:

-  political/regulatory advantage of using LEU ie. less than 20% U-235 which South Korea sees as not being restricted by the NPT or nuclear Safeguards Agreements. This is compared to the political sensitivities and anti-proliferation regulatory restrictions placed on exporting/importing US and UK submarine reactors (with weapons’ grade HEU of 93-97 percent (see p. 20)) and Russian naval reactors (reported to use 20 to over 90 percent HEU (p. 20)). 

-  and technical advantage of the Barracuda's reactor being built for a submarine of just over 5,000 tons, ie. in the KSS III Bach III weight bracket. The Barracuda's K15 reactor stands for 150 MWt which translates to 30 MWe for Barracuda’s hotel load + propulsion.

It is significant that France, for over a decade, has been assisting Brazil in designing the non-nuclear aspects of Brazil’s future SN-BR SSN (to be called Álvaro lberto). At Submarine Matter’s 2015 article see the subheading "Brazilian Nuclear Submarine (SN-BR)” “There currently appears to be expectations that SN-BR will be around 100m long and 9m wide. This coincides with France's Barracuda SSN dimensions of: 99.5m long and beam: 8.8m.” Such non-nuclear assistance could be extended to South Korea and perhaps with a more quiet transfer of some K15 technology.

In terms of vertically launched cruise or ballistic missiles the KSS Batch I features 6 VLS tubes, each with one missile. The KSS III Batch II may feature 10 and the KSS III Batch III perhaps 12 to 16. If  the KSS III Batch III were nuclear propelled and had 12 to 16 VLS tubes this would amount to a middle naval power mini-SSN/SSBN solution. This would avoid the much higher great power expense of building separate specialised SSN and SSBN classes.

Neighbouring Japan (a part strategic competitor of South Korea) and Australia with its future conventional Barracuda (known as the Attack-class) are closely observing South Korea's interest in nuclear propulsion and ever larger submarines.

India, already having SSBNs, is interested in building 6 SSNs with specialised SSN reactors. India is naturally talking to France's Naval Group. Naval Group is helping India build the 6 Kalvari-class Scorpenes, bidding for India's 6 Project-75I SSK competition and Naval Group produces all of France's SSNs and SSBNs. So India can have far ranging discussions, on many topics, with Naval Group.

Pete

Type 214 submarine variant with AIP may be built for INDONESIA

Reported October 22, 2019 at DefenseNews https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2019/10/22/turkey-launches-homemade-submarine-program/

"In 2017, Turkish and German naval specialists signed a letter of intent to cooperate on a contract to build a variant of the [air independent propulsion (AIP) equipped] Type 214 diesel-electric submarine for the Indonesian Navy."

Does anyone have more details?

Pete

Nickel-Zinc Main Batteries Unsuited to Submarine Use

Lead-acid batteries (LABs) have been used for submarines for over 100 years and it appears they will unquestionably be used for Australia's future Attack-class submarines.

If replacement battery technologies were considered? There is a debate in Australia about the suitability of using 100 year old Nickel-Zinc (NiZn) battery technology for these future submarines rather than using newer technology Lithium-ion Batteries (LIBs).

Anonymous does not think NiZn is suitable for submarines.

There are two issues (A. short lifetime [1], and B. low voltage) in NiZn battery applications for submarines. 

A. The biggest issue is short battery life. Charge/discharge cycles for NiZn is only 200-300 times. 

Snorkeling of a submarine (with LABs) is conducted at least once a day. 

If the annual availability rate of submarine is 60% (ie. 200 mission days per year) then NiZn main batteries would need to be replaced once a year. This is unrealistic on cost grounds. 

NiZn's 200-300 cycles can be compared to:

-  500 cycles for Japanese LIB-NCA technology

-  7,000-15,000 cycles for Japanese LIB-NTO technology,
-  up to 4,000 cycles (10 years of use) for South Korean LIBs technology. and

-  2,000 cycles for LABs but with LAB's disadvantages compared to LIBs including lower LAB voltage (power)/weight as well as shallower and slower charging (higher LAB indiscretion ratio).

B. Also, the voltage (power) of a NiZn battery (1.6V) is lower than LABs (2V) and LIBs (3.6V).

[1]  https://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/nickel_based_batteries see Nickel-zinc (NiZn) subheading

Comment

As NiZn batteries have been around since 1901 one would have thought NiZn would have been adopted well before now if LiZn were a serious contender.

Anonymous and Pete

Submarine Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors (PMSM) and Australia

On October 22, 2019 Anonymous commented:

Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) technology is applied to propulsion motors to reduce the power of propulsion [1, 2]. 

Jeumont Electric and Siemens both manufacture PMSM, i.e., MAGTRONIC and PERMASYN, respectively. The structures of MAGTRONIC and PERMAYN are completely different. While MAGTRONIC presumably consists of two armatures [3], PERMASYN currently has one armature. 

From the viewpoint of redundancy, PMSM with two armatures or a tandem combination of PMSM [4] with one armature is desirable.

[Pete added further details about Permanent Magnet Motors [5]. Note that it was announced today that Jeumont Electric had won a major contract to install the electrics of Australia’s future Attack-class submarines [6]. Jeumont will almost certainly supply PMSMs for the Attack-class [7].]

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armature_(electrical)

[2] According to Toshiba, PMSM reduced power consumption by 50% . In Anonymous calculations by using the data of Victoria-class submarines (DC motor) and Soryu submarines (PMSM), nearly the same result was obtained.

[3] One armature is used at low speed range, and two armatures are used at middle and high speed ranges. Even if one armature has failed, another armature can be used.

[4] Siemens seems to be developing tandem PERMASYN.

[5] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synchronous_motor#Permanent-magnet_motors

[6] on October 23, 2019 Naval Group announced https://naval-group.com.au/2019/10/23/subcontract-awarded-for-future-submarine-main-electric-propulsion-equipment/ “Subcontract Awarded For Future Submarine Main Electric Propulsion Equipment” “Naval Group has signed a subcontract with Jeumont Electric (France) for the design of the Main Electric Propulsion Equipment for the Attack Class Submarines. The Main Electric Propulsion Equipment converts electrical power using Converter Cubicles into mechanical power and then propels the Submarine through the water...”

[7] "November 7, 2019 Jeumont Electric is...also the preferred supplier of new generation permanent magnet motors for the Australian Future Submarine Program." https://www.asc.com.au/news-media/latest-news/asc-enters-into-long-term-collaboration-with-jeumont-electric-of-france/

Anonymous and Pete

MEDIA BACKGROUND on Lithium-ion batteries for submarine use - Australia?

The issue of lithium-ion batteries for Australia's future Attack-class submarines is becoming time critical.

The authors (Derek Woolner and David Glynne Jones) of the following MEDIA BACKGROUND, have given Pete permission to publish it:

MEDIA BACKGROUND

Release date: 20 October 2019

Major Western Submarine Designers Ready to Proceed
with Transformational Power Systems: status of lithium-ion
battery technology for naval submarine propulsion

Several countries have now revealed their intention to acquire naval combat submarines within the next decade that will be powered by lithium-ion main batteries.

The following is a collection of public information to provide the media with background on the current status of development and adoption of advanced battery power systems for naval submarine propulsion.

JAPAN

On 4 October 2018 Japan launched the JS Oryu, a Soryu-class attack submarine fitted with lithium-ion main batteries instead of the conventional lead acid batteries used in earlier Soryu-class submarines.

https://thediplomat.com/2018/10/japan-launches-first-lithium-ion-equipped-soryu-classsubmarine/  

“The lithium-ion batteries radically extend the sub's range and time it can spend underwater.”

https://asia.nikkei.com/Economy/Trade-war/Japan-s-silent-submarines-extend-rangewith-new-batteries

The JS Oryu is due to enter service in March 2020. The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) has advised that the next three Soryu-class submarines, due to enter service between 2021 and 2024, will also be fitted with lithium-ion main batteries

https://mags.shephardmedia.com/Show%20Daily/IMDEX_Asia_Day_Two/IMDEX%20Asia%202019%20Day%20Two.pdf  [p7]

The JMSDF has also indicated that some earlier Soryu-class submarines may be refitted with lithium-ion main batteries.

Initial development of the next generation of Japanese attack submarines – the 29SS class – has commenced, and it is expected that these submarines will also use lithiumion main batteries. The 29SS class will be developed and launched in a similar timeframe to Australia’s new Attack-class submarines.

https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/stealth-suprise-japans-new-submarine-gamechanger-65611

1

SOUTH KOREA

Commencing in 2016, South Korea undertook an intensive 30-month Technology Readiness Assessment (TRA) to evaluate the suitability of commercially-available lithium-ion battery technology for naval submarine propulsion.

https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/rok/kss-3-2.htm

The outcome of the TRA process, which involved South Korean defence agencies, the prime battery system contractor and 11 research institutes, was a decision to incorporate lithium-ion main battery systems in Block 2 of South Korea’s new KSS-III class attack submarines. The KSS-III Block 2 submarines will be built and commissioned in the midlate 2020s.

https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/rok/kss-3-unit.htm

In the second quarter of 2019 Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) launched the lead boat of South Korea’s next generation advanced midget submarine design, currently known as the HDS-400. While not confirmed, it is believed that the HDS-400 will use a lithium-ion main battery system similar to that developed and evaluated for the KSS-III Block 2 large attack submarine.

http://www.hisutton.com/HDS-400_Midget-Submarine.html

GERMANY

In October 2018 Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) announced that they had developed a new type of lithium-ion main battery system for submarines together with SAFT, a manufacturer of advanced battery systems for industry.

Dr. Rolf Wirtz, CEO of Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems said "The use of the new battery technology has enormous tactical advantages. We are entering a new era of submarine construction."

https://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/news/naval-exhibitions/2018/euronaval2018/6606-euronaval-2018-tkms-showcasing-li-ion-battery-prototype-for-ssk.html

Following the completion of extensive testing in 2019, TKMS intends to fit the new battery system to Type 212CD submarines to be supplied to the Norwegian Navy.

FRANCE

At Euronaval 2014 DCNS (now Naval Group, lead supplier for the Australian Attackclass submarines) announced three new submarine propulsion technologies including “a hull plug equipped with new-generation high-capacity lithium-ion batteries. Easy to operate, the technology offers high submerged speeds on demand and improved response to power ramp-up and variations.”

2

“The (submerged) endurance of a Scorpene-type submarine is increased to seven days resulting in a significantly enhanced tactical capability.”

https://www.naval-group.com/en/news/major-dcns-innovations-improve-submarinecapabilities/

“DCNS has also announced new generation lithium-ion batteries offering a week's submerged endurance thanks to their increased capacity.”

“In addition to increased submerged endurance, the new-generation lithium-ion batteries offer improved response to power ramp-up and variations as well as deep discharge. Overall, the new batteries allow a submarine to maintain a submerged speed of 12kts for 24 hours, marking a significant new milestone in SSK performance.”

https://www.meretmarine.com/sites/default/files/pdf/MM2014_pp42-55.pdf  [p49]

In October 2018 Naval Group announced that it had developed a high performance and highly secure Li-ion battery system (known as LIBRT) to provide its conventional submarines with outstanding operational capabilities. The LIBRT main battery system also uses lithium-ion battery cells developed and manufactured by SAFT.

https://naval-group.com.au/2018/10/24/naval-group-presents-librt-its-new-generation-oflithium-ion-batteries-system-for-submarines/

Alain Guillou, Senior Executive Vice-President at Naval Group said “The successful development of the LIBRT Li-ion batteries systems is a huge technological stride for the new generation of submarines developed by Naval Group. It provides utmost security guarantees as well as operational and technological superiority to all our clients worldwide.”

Naval Group advised Australian industry media representatives in October 2018 that it intended to present the Australian Government with the option to integrate the LIBRT lithium-ion battery system into Batch 2 of the Attack-class program.

https://www.manmonthly.com.au/news/naval-group-presents-new-generation-lithium-ionbatteries-submarines/

In July 2019, in anticipation of a Dutch Navy requirement for an expeditionary submarine able to be deployed worldwide, Naval Group announced that it “is working on a Barracuda derivative that is very close to the SMX Ocean conceptual design displayed at Euronaval 2014. This conventional submarine of around 4,700 tons shares the dimensions and external design of the Suffren and Shortfin Barracuda (Australian Attack-class) with a totally different propulsion system.”

“The SMX Ocean displayed both an AIP (air independent propulsion) module and lithium-ion batteries instead of acid-lead batteries commonly used today. A configuration that could allow transoceanic deployment at high speed followed by a full month of underwater low-speed operation.”

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“Lithium batteries offer more power and faster charging than previous generation (lead acid) batteries. If some accidental fires occurred in the civilian uses of this type of battery, Naval Group representatives stress the fact that acid-lead (batteries) are intrinsically even more dangerous. Military security applied to lithium-ion batteries is making them a safer solution.”

“Naval Group already uses lithium-ion batteries underwater, including in the training variant of the F21 torpedo and on UUVs. Recently, Naval Group simulated an 18-days dive using both their new generation AIP and lithium batteries. The final proposition to the Netherlands could use a similar propulsion configuration in order to meet the requirement of projection in the Caribbean.”

https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2019/07/more-details-on-suffren-the-frenchnavy-next-gen-ssn-on-its-export-ssk-variants/  [sub-heading - A Barracuda derivative for the Dutch Navy]

END

This media background is provided by Derek Woolner and David Glynne Jones from published sources.

Derek Woolner is co-author of The Collins class submarine story: steel, spies and spin. He is a previous director of the Foreign Affairs and Defence Group in the Parliamentary Research Service.

David Glynne Jones is an independent advocate for the adoption of renewable energy technology across all sectors of the Australian economy. He is currently assessing the implications of emerging advanced battery technology for electrification of the Australian transport sector.

Media contact:      Derek Woolner
                               Mobile: 0415 510 028
                               Email:  woolner.jones.21@gmail.com

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