March 13, 2020

Japan's 29SS Submarine Research Program - Land Attack Missiles, etc.

Based on what I've read so far, likely, but cannot be proven. The Japanese Navy has formalized its submarine testing:

- from testing new technologies on several operational Oyashio and Soryu submarines.

- to a formal testing program called 29SS (with 29SS being a Japanese Ministry of Finance to
  Ministry of Defense research funding designation, rather than an actual operational submarine).

The 29SS Program apparently begun in 2017 (see SORYU TABLE below). 29SS apparently involves testing of such new technologies as:

-  new, higher sea state (storm) snorkel system http://gentleseas.blogspot.com/2018/01/japanese-
   soryu-higher-power-snorkel.html

-  new pumpjet? propulsor

-  new 12V25/31S diesels

-  new diesel-to-LIB and LIB-to-propeller/propulsor transmissions.

further LIB testing (eg. new LIB types/formulas)

-  more broadly an updated combat system which would include:
   :  new "G-RX6" torpedoes, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type_89_torpedo which contains
      sentence "A succeeding design is in development under the development name of "G-RX6" still
      using Mark 48 torpedo technology.
   :  new mines and decoys,
   :  possible Japanese successor to the Harpoon ASM
   :  consideration of Tomahawk or more advanced Land Attack Missiles
   :  such sensors as hull and towed sonars, radars, other submarine motion detectors
   :  optronic (non-hull piercing) masts,
   :  new central processing computers.

Even though 29SS does not mean a new submarine, the technologies above could be tested on existing "training" submarines. "Training" can be a cover for "testbed" submarine.

Japan's 2 known training submarines are the 2 earliest Oyashios
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oyashio-class_submarine#Boats namely:

-  SS-590. Converted to training submarine (TSS-3608) on 6 March 2015, and

-  SS-591. Converted to training submarine (TSS-3609) on 27 February 2017.

So TSS-3608 and/or TSS-3609 could be the full scale testbeds for 29SS Submarine Research Program. Meanwhile there is a great deal of on-shore testing of 29SS technologies, eg. electronics, weapons and test pools (for miniature scale models to test the hydrodynamics of slightly altered hull shapes).

A new sail/fin, less exaggerated than the German Type 212A's, may eventially be adopted. A much lower, muc more blended sail/fin than the Soryu's is unlikely because Japanese submarines still need to be tall/perpendicular enough to operate, surfaced, without being swamped, in the higher sea states of the open Western Pacific Ocean.

As is Japan's usual practice the new technologies will be steadily incorporated into individual submarines on an iterative, continuous-build basis, rather than a US/European style batch basis.

Looking at the SORYU TABLE below, 30SS may be the first new-build submarine to begin incorporating 29SS Program features (eg. 2 x 12V25/31S diesels). Some Oyashios and Soryu's may be retrofitted - especially with updated combat system electronics and perhaps the G-RX6 torpedo.

SORYU TABLE. as at March 13, 2020 

SS
No.
Diesel Type
Motor
Build No
Name
Pennant
No.
MoF approved amount ¥
Billions FY
LABs, LIBs, AIP
Laid Down
Laun
-ched
Commi
ssioned
Built
By
5SS Oyashio
8105 Oyashio
(mythical
SS-590/ TS3608
¥52.2B FY1993
LABs only
 Jan 1994
Oct 1996
Mar 1998
 KHI
6SS-15SS
Oyashios 
10 subs
SMC-7?
8106
-8115
various
SS-591-600
¥52.2B per sub
FY1994-FY2003
LABs only
 15SS Feb
2004
15SS
Nov
2006
15SS
Mar 2008
 MHI
&
KHI
16SS
Dragon
class  Mk I
8116
SS-501
¥60B FY2004 all Soryus with
Kawasaki 
12V25/25SB diesels, see and
SMC-8 motor
LABs + AIP
Mar 2005
Dec 2007
Mar
2009
MHI
17SS
8117
Unryū
SS-502
¥58.7B FY2005
LABs + AIP
Mar 2006
Oct 2008
Mar
2010
KHI
18SS
8118
Hakuryū
SS-503
¥56.2 FY2006
LABs + AIP
Feb 2007
Oct 2009
Mar
2011
MHI
19SS
8119
Kenryū
SS-504
¥53B FY2007
LABs + AIP
Mar 2008
Nov 2010
Mar
2012
KHI
20SS
8120
Zuiryū
SS-505
¥51B FY2008
LABs + AIP
Mar 2009
Oct 2011
Mar
2013
MHI
21SS Concept
No 21SS built
But was a concept research project on LIBs. 1st LIBs sub launched is 27SS
research
in 
2010   
research
research
22SS
8121
Kokuryū
SS-506
¥52.8B FY2010
LABs + AIP
Jan 2011
Oct 2013
Mar
2015
KHI
23SS
8122
Jinryu
SS-507
¥54.6B FY2011
LABs + AIP
Feb 2012
Oct 2014
7 Mar 2016
MHI
24SS
8123
Sekiryū
SS-508
¥54.7B FY2012
LABs + AIP
KHI
25SS
8124
SS-509
¥53.1B FY2013
LABs + AIP
22 Oct 2013
12 Oct   2016
MHI
26SS
8125
SS-510
¥51.7B FY2014
last SMC-8 motor
LABs + AIP
2014
6 Nov 2017
KHI
27SS SoryuMk II due to 1st with LIBs
8126
Oryū

11th
Soryu
SS-511
¥64.4B FY2015
12V25/25SB diesel SMC-8B motor ?
LIBs only
(NCA type)
2015
4 Oct
2018
2020
& see
Janes
MHI
28SS Soryu
Mk II

8127
Toryu
12th &
final
Soryu
SS-512
¥63.6B FY2016
"2,900t" surfaced
LIBs only
Jan 2017
Mar 2021?
KHI
29SS may be the 1st of a New class
¥76B FY2017 New features research may include: a further blended fin for noise reduction-better water flow, new propulsor, new diesels, new snorkel system. G-RX6 torpedoes replacing the Type 89s? May be using 
TSS-3608 and TSS-3609 as testbeds. 

research
in 
2017
pro-gram
began

research

research
MHI
assisted
by
KHI
JMoD
30SS New Class?
8028?
SS-513
¥71.5B FY2018

LIBs only
2018?
2020?
2022?
MHI?
31SS New Class ?
8029?
SS-514
¥B?FY2019

LIBs only
2019?
2021?
2023?
KHI?
32SS New Class ?
8030?
SS-515
¥B?Y2020

LIBs only
2020?
2022?
2024?
MHI?
33SS New Class ?
8031?
SS-516
¥B? FY2021

LIBs only
2021?
2023?
2025?
KHI?
34SS New Class ?
8032?
SS-517
¥B? FY2022

LIBs only
2022?
2024?
2026?
MHI?
35SS New Class ?
8033?
SS-518
¥B? FY2023

LIBs only
2023?
2025?
2027?
KHI?
36SS New Class ?
8034?
SS-519
¥B? FY2024

LIBs only
2024?
2026?
2028?
MHI?
37SS New Class ?
8035?
SS-520
¥B? FY2025

LIBs only
2025?
2027?
2029?
KHI?
38SS New Class ?
8036?
SS-521
¥B? FY2026

LIBs only
2026?
2028?
2030?
MHI?
Key to Table: Table information exclusively provided to Submarine MattersLABs = lead-acid batteries, AIP = air independent propulsion, LIB= Lithium-ion Batteries. ¥***B = Billion Yen. MHI = Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, KHI = Kawasaki Shipbuilding Corporation of Kawasaki Heavy Industries. 
---

Pete

11 comments:

  1. Hi Pete,

    Attack-Class Submarine Main Storage Batteries Contract Awarded

    "Contracts for the design of the Main Storage Batteries Stages 1 and 2 for the Attack Class submarines have been awarded, another major milestone for the program.

    PMB Defence, based in Adelaide and Sunlight, based in Greece have been contracted to provide design, prototyping and qualification activities for the Main Storage Batteries. Both organisations will provide Naval Group with the data necessary to select one as the preferred MSB design for the Attack Class program in 2022."


    /Kjell

    ReplyDelete
  2. Possible use of pumpjet propulsion is not unexpected. Everyone thought that this was only an option on a SSN. Attack class changes all that. Naval Group is one of the worlds major (let’s face it there is not many anyway) submarine designers/builders & also happens to build both SSN & SSK. Their insistence that it is possible would have not gone unnoticed.

    As to Japanese Harpoon replacement on submarines. Are you sure it is a Japanese design? Japan is known to be looking at JSM for it’s F35 fighters. Konsberg are also considering a sub launched JSM version (along with a mk41 vls version). JSM is all about stealth. Not only is it low observable, both it’s seekers are passive. What better to be firing rom a SSK?

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi Pete,

    I assume that you have seen Australia's Future Submarines - Time for Plan B? if not you have until 1:30pm on 10 Apr 2020 to see it.

    "SA Senator Rex Patrick, ANU Emeritus Professor of Strategic Studies Hugh White and ASPI Executive Director Peter Jennings speak at the Press Club on the topic Australia's Future Submarines - Time for Plan B?"

    /Kjell

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks /Kjell

    I looked for the National Press Club video "SA Senator Rex Patrick, ANU Emeritus Professor of Strategic Studies Hugh White and ASPI Executive Director Peter Jennings speak at the Press Club on the topic Australia's Future Submarines - Time for Plan B?"

    too early, on the day it was broadcast on ABC TV.

    So thanks for alerting me that it is now on ABC (computer) iView for a limited time.

    For other Submarine Matters users. The video It is at https://iview.abc.net.au/show/national-press-club-address/series/0/video/NC2011C007S00

    Regards

    Pete

    ReplyDelete
  5. Kind of ironic watching the debate stating that the interim solution of buying F-18 super hornets as a stop gap waiting for the F-35s was a success nobody even mentions the mere possibility of purchasing off the selves sub stop gap solution.
    Australia can purchase three to four subs like the Soryu while waiting for the French finally develop Australian sub in the 30-40s.LoL

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks /Kjell

    For https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2020/03/attack-class-submarine-main-storage-batteries-contract-awarded/

    No real surprise PMB Defence won the main Lead-acid battery contract for Attack class.

    PMB being mention in 2015 here https://www.defencesa.com/upload/media-centre/publications/fac/3295/Techport%20Australia%20Brochure%20June%202015.pdf

    "PMB Defence is a leading manufacturer of high-quality submarine battery systems,
    involved with the Collins class submarines since their inception. PMB Defence has been
    engaged by Defence in initial Future Submarine capability studies and continues to grow
    its broader energy and engineering capabilities."

    and at https://gentleseas.blogspot.com/2015/11/look-at-japans-next-generation.html

    Regards

    Pete

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi Anonymous [March 14, 2020 at 4:38 PM]

    Interesting to see if the other 2 countries that build SSNs and SSKs (ie. Russia and China) start to seriously develop pumpjets for SSKs.

    Japan, of course, use the US designed Harpoon ASM (designated UGM-84 in submarine mode) see Japan at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harpoon_(missile)#Operators

    Japan's https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kawasaki_P-1#Specifications_(XP-1) use the Harpoon AGM-84

    Australia's old Oberon class sub used the Harpoon https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oberon-class_submarine#Regional_variations as does the Collins today https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collins-class_submarine#Armament

    Thanks,very interesting that "Konsberg are also considering a sub launched JSM version (along with a mk41 vls version). JSM is all about stealth. Not only is it low observable, both it’s seekers are passive. What better to be firing rom a SSK?"

    Regards

    Pete

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi Tri-ring [at March 16, 2020 at 4:46 PM]

    A very bold, farsighted Australian Defence Minister, Brendan Nelson, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brendan_Nelson#Minister_for_Defence_(2006%E2%80%932007) made the correct decision to buy the Super Hornet as an interim fighter - against RAAF advice!

    But. it is notable the Super Hornet did not need major modifications for Australian service.

    Japan's Soryu WOULD need major modifications, for Australian service:

    - including: twice the diesel fuel load (for 12,000nm range) with major buoyancy tank adjustments

    and

    - integration of AN/BYG-1 Combat System (about 30% of the submarine build) see https://www.defence.gov.au/spi/Docs/Public-AIC-Plan-SEA-1000-ASCS-CSI-LMA.pdf

    So a Soryu for Australia would take at least 7 years to build. Then 2 to 3 years to fully test and commission - a very non-interim prospect.

    Also Japan may be unwilling to launch such a project for just 4 subs.

    Regards

    Pete

    ReplyDelete
  9. Pete

    Looks as if you still do not understand what,"AIP endurance (est.): 6100 nautical miles" means.
    The sterling engine is a massively energy inefficient engine since most of the combustion power is lost and not utilized to power the engine.Energy efficiency rate would probably be around 10%, an internal combustion engine has around 40% efficiency rate at peak performance because the heat and combustion power is released within a closed chamber to thrust directly against the piston unlike the sterling engine which heats a medium outside the chamber and only utilizes the temperature difference to move the piston requiring to burn more fuel to gain present efficiency rate to power the sub hindering range (endurance) when utilizing the AIP.
    Since Australia does not require sterling AIP the range of the Soryu class will naturally increase and weight of the sub will decrease with that configuration.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Giddy Tri-ring

    As you say "Looks as if you still do not understand" that "AIP endurance (est.): 6100 nautical miles" is an uninformed typo at Wikipedia and GlobalSecurity about the Soryu Mark I's whole range (on diesel fuel and AIP) being 6,100nm.

    And in any case:

    - Australia has shown no interest in AIP (on diminishing utility of AIP for Australia's longer submarine mission grounds), and

    - since 27SS Japan is no longer building Soryu's with AIP. Instead LIBs are providing extra submerged performance.

    There's no "natural increase" in doubling the range of a Soryu without major redesigning.

    Cheers

    Pete

    ReplyDelete
  11. Still not understanding it;
    IF the sterling engines are removed and the diesel fuel is used to power the diesel engines instead of sharing it with the Sterling engines then the fuel will be used more efficiently resulting to more range.

    It's simple math;

    X*Y=XY Range running on diesel engine alone
    (X*Y*40%)+(X*Z*60%)=XY/60+XZ/40 Range running diesel engine 40% and sterling engine 60% of the overall journey.

    X=amount of diesel fuel in gallons
    Y=Miles per gallon utilizing diesel engine
    Z=Miles per gallon utilizing sterling engine
    Y>Z At ball park estimate Y=2Z
    X*3Z/40+X*Z/60=13XZ/12
    XY=2XZ

    So if you remove the sterling engines from the Soryu and run on the diesel engines alone it will naturally extend the range by a considerable distance with the same amount of diesel fuel.

    ReplyDelete

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