March 26, 2021

Japan's Lithium Battery Submarines Becoming Operational

Derek Woolner and David Glynne Jones have kindly provided information that Lithium-ion Battery (LIB) submarines are now becoming operational. This is with the commissioning of Japan's Soryu-class JS Oryu on 5 March 2020 and JS Toryu 24 March 2021. Derek and David have also put together new details of Japan’s Taigei-class LIB subs. Pete has  summarised the info Derek and David have sent. 

NOTE: 

1. All references to subs below apply to naval subs of many 100s of tons (ie. not tourist or scientific minisubs or SEAL/diver delivery vehicles).

2. Info below without [...] brackets is by Derek and David from published sources. The parts in [...] brackets are by Pete or expert on Japanese submarines "Anonymous". 

3. Japan's efforts are the first of three instalments on LIBs Becoming Operational. 

After more than 100 years of lead-acid battery (LAB) use LIBs for submarine have been under development since the early 2000s. This has occurred at uneven rates between countries/companies with Japan at the forefront. LIB submarines are now becoming operational and it is expected that by the early 2030s more than 30 LIB subs could be operating in the Indo-Pacific. It is also expected that many autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) (often synonymous with unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs)) will use LIBs in the Indo-Pacific.

First-generation LIB subs will typically have submerged patrol endurance about twice that of LAB subs and around 3 times the submerged high speed endurance.

LIB tech is evolving rapidly and submarine planners expect that LIB capacities could double by 2030. This would provide submerged patrol endurance 4 times that of LAB subs and  around 5-6 times the submerged high speed endurance.

The substantial increases in stored energy provided by LIBs will also enable future subs to support more advanced sensor, combat and autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) systems.

The following is public info on the current status of development and adoption of advanced battery systems for subs.

JAPAN’s LIB-EQUIPPED SUBS

Soryu [Mark 2]-class

The two final Soryu-class subs [the Soryu Mark 2s] have LIBs and are now operational. They are.

- JS Oryucommissioned on 5 March 2020, the world’s first operational LIB sub. All previous Soryus used LABs and Stirling air independent propulsion (AIP). Oryu is serving in the Japanese Navy’s Submarine Flotilla 1, at Kure naval base.  

- JS Toryu was commissioned on 24 March 2021.

[1.  To see the incremental sequence of the subs, by many measures, see Pete and Anonymous'  "SORYU-TAIGEI TABLE" by scrolling down.

2.  Anonymous advised March 27, 2021 that Considering buoyancy and space of subs, 27SS (Oryu) and 28SS (Toryu) do not have the volume to fit 960 LIBs. The LIB capacity of 29SS (Taigei) is larger. Based on various data (purchase price and the version of Japan’s SLH LIB for submarine, space and weight of submarine, magnetic balance, etc.), the number of batteries is estimated as follows:
-  For the Soryu Mark 1s (16SS-26SS): AIP and 480 LABs
-  For the Soryu Mark 2s (27SS-28SS): 640 LIBs (SLH type)
- 1st and 2nd Taigeis (29SS-01SS): 672LIBs (SLH type)
- 3rd Taigei onwards (02SS): 672LIBs (Improved SLH type) ]

Taigei-class

JS Taigei (first of class) was launched on 14 October 2020 and is scheduled to be commissioned in March 2022. While similar in general design to the Soryus class, the Taigei class subs will have more advanced systems [eg. combat systems and snorkel] and LIB capacity may be around 30% larger than the Oryu-Toryu Soryus. After commissioning, JS Taigei will be converted into a test submarine, to provide a dedicated operational and platform for accelerated research and development. [It will also aid in crew training and  familiarisation.]

Japan also has an unnamed Taigei-class sub (SS-514) [see Table below] being built. It was laid down on 25 January 2019, scheduled to be launched 2021 and commissioned in March 2023.

[Japan continues its tradition of building around 10 subs of each class.] So 10 Taigei-class LIB subs are planned (starting with JS Taigei and SS-514) with the 10th of class scheduled for commissioning in 2031. See here and here.

Derek Woolner is co-author of the classic (2008) [on Pete's bookshelf!] and still very relevant The Collins Class SubmarineStory: 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.

Their blog-website is Woolner and Jones.

Pete, Submarine Sherlock-like gentleman amateur, dabbles. Once in gov, many moons ago, kemosabes.
______________________________

SORYU-TAIGEI TABLE 
as at March 26, 2021. 

(also some old, but still operational, Oyashio-class details).

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
SS-590/ TS3608
¥52.2B FY1993
2 x 12V25/25S 
diesels for all
Oyashio class
(each diesel
2,000kW)
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 Mk.1 LAB+AIP Soryus have 2 x Kawasaki 
4,240kW)
+ 4 AIP
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 LIBs Concept
Research
Project
No 21SS built. It was an 8 year research project on LIBs. 1st LIBs sub launched was 27SS in 2018.
   


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 a Soryu
"Mk II" as it
has LIBs. 1st
Soryu Mk II 
8126
Oryū
11th
Soryu
SS-511
¥64.4B FY2015 
with 2 12V25/25SB diesels (totaling 4,240kW) 
SMC-8B motor
Soryu Mk IIs may have twice as many batteries as Mk Is, ie 960 LIB-arrays in Mk IIs, other improvements
LIBs only
(SLH type)
SLH is a
classified
technology
formula
unknown
made by
GS Yuasa

Nov
2015
4 Oct
2018
2020
MHI
28SS Soryu
Mk II, 12th &
final Soryu
8127
SS-512
¥63.6B FY2016
"2,900t" surfaced
12V25/25SB diesels
SLH
LIBs
Jan 2017
KHI
29SS
1st
3,000 tonne
(surfaced)
8128
Taigei
SS-513
¥76B FY2017 (Heisei 29)
Higher ¥76budget 
may be due to 1st of class changes & new LIBs layout maybe
30% larger. 2 x
12V25/25SB
diesels or variants
(totaling
SLH
LIBs
maybe
960
month?in 
2017

14 Oct
2020
 
Mar 2022
MHI

30SS 
2nd Taigei Class 
8129?
SS-514
SLH
LIBs
25 Jan
2019
Oct or
Nov
2021?
Mar
2023?
KHI?
01SS 
3rd
Taigei Class

SS-515
SLH
LIBs
maybe
960+
2019?
2021?
2023?
MHI?
02SS 
4th
Taigei Class 
8130?
SS-516
¥B? FY2020 (Reiwa 02)
Improved SLH LIBS. New
2 x 12V25/31S
diesels (totaling
Impro
ved SLH
LIBs
2020?
2022?
2024?

03SS
8131?
¥B? FY2021
LIBs 
2021?
2023?
2025?
04SS
8132?
¥B? FY2022
LIBs
2022?
2024?
2026?
05SS 
8133?
¥B? FY2023
LIBs
2023?
2025?
2027?

06SS
8134?

¥B? FY2024
LIBs 
2024?
2026?
2028?
07SS 
8135?

¥B? FY2025
LIBs
2025?
2027?
2029?

08SS 
8136?
¥B? FY2026

LIBs
2026?
2028?2030?
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. 
---

Table by Anonymous and Pete

16 comments:

Gessler said...

Unrelated, but still Indo-Pacific:

Indian Navy has, in my opinion quite rightly, chosen to prioritize the SSN program (Project 75 Alpha) over the 2nd indigenous carrier project.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/for-navy-6-nuclear-powered-submarines-take-priority-over-3rd-aircraft-carrier-101616564522467.html

Anonymous said...

Hi Pete

Considering buoyancy and space of submarine, 27SS (Oryu) and 28SS (Toryu) cannot physically equip with 960 LIBs. LIB capacity of 29SS (Taigei) is somewhat larger than 27SS.

Based on various data (purchase price and version of SLH, space and weight of submarine, magnetic balance, etc.), numbers of battery is estimated as follows.
16-26SS: 480 LABs
27-28SS: 640 LIBs (SLHs)
29-01SS: 672LIBs (SLHs)
02SS: 672LIBs (improved SLHs)

Regards

Pete said...

Hi Gessler [at Mar 26, 2021, 6:44:00 PM]

Thanks for https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/for-navy-6-nuclear-powered-submarines-take-priority-over-3rd-aircraft-carrier-101616564522467.html

India building 6 SSNs rather building the 3rd carrier, INS Vishal, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/INS_Vishal makes sense on a naval-threat-strategic needs basis.

BUT

https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/for-navy-6-nuclear-powered-submarines-take-priority-over-3rd-aircraft-carrier-101616564522467.html has an odd, non-credible, tone.

"The Indian Navy has informed the Narendra Modi government that the induction of six nuclear-powered submarines would take priority over a third heavy aircraft carrier..."

Usually (and in India I believe) the Navy asks its political masters (espcially Modi) whether the Navy can so radically alter its shipbuilding plan. I don't believe the Indian Navy could get away with so boldly telling Parliament what the Navy is going to do.

After all:

1. the money (defense/navy budget for shipbuilding) must be passed by Parliament, year on year

and

2. politicians would want to make sure shipbuilding yards and component factories-businesses benefit their own electorate/states.

So there will likely be much more navy-political and corporate industry horse-trading, below the surface, than navy just telling Parliament.

Regards

Pete

Pete said...

Hi Anonymous [at Mar 27, 2021, 3:49:00 AM]

Thank you for the information on LIBs.

I've placed it, in slightly modified form, in the article above http://gentleseas.blogspot.com/2021/03/japans-lithium-battery-submarines.html

Regards

Pete

Gessler said...

@Pete [Mar 27, 2021, 9:30:00 AM]

Ever since the Govt of India created the post of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) in late 2019, the CDS (who is the former Chief of Army Staff) has been pushing the Navy to prioritize its purchases, and, only a few months after taking office, specifically pushed for submarines as opposed to carriers in general:

https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2020/feb/17/approval-for-third-aircraft-carrier-may-not-come-soon-indicates-cds-rawat-2104718.html

And SSNs in particular:

https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/up-front/story/20201221-the-navy-runs-into-a-budget-boulder-1748812-2020-12-11

In between (just a few days after comments on Navy prioritization) the Indian Navy's brass came out in defense of their Carrier plans:

https://theprint.in/defence/indian-navy-will-push-ahead-with-plan-for-3rd-aircraft-carrier-despite-cds-reservations/368930/

This internal conversation went on for little over a year. (and in the civilian domain, the general back-and-forth regarding the eternal discussion of Carriers v/s Submarines, including several retired Admirals & other Navy officers writing op-eds about what they thought was right.) With the conversation also going to the lengths of accusing the CDS of Land-centrism (though in reality there's nothing land-centric about a fleet of nuclear attack submarines), and some even defending said accusation, and even making a case for Land-centrism:

https://swarajyamag.com/defence/dont-knock-general-bipin-rawats-land-centrism-it-is-exactly-what-india-needs

Meanwhile, the internal conversation finally culminated in the Combined Commanders Conference earlier this month...where Navy finally made the decision to abide by the CDS' call for prioritization.

Now, the CDS in question, Gen. Bipin Rawat served as Chief of Staff of the Indian Army from 2016-2019, then was appointed as India's first CDS, a position who's creation was recommended by several Defense Committees for almost two decades (still a Four-Star rank, but sort of 'First Among Equals' status among the other Service Chiefs). All this would not have happened if the General in question did not have a lot of favor with the Modi administration to include the National Security Advisor Ajit Doval (reorganized into a very powerful Cabinet-level position in 2019) and Narendra Modi himself.

So, when they say that Navy informed Parliament that would be prioritizing the SSN program over the 3rd Carrier, they weren't simply telling the Govt that they made this internal decision, but that they were now willing to abide by the call made by the CDS over a year earlier - a call that had the full backing of the Govt.

In summary, the national security strategy devised by the Govt, NSA & CDS which called for prioritizing SSNs over another Carrier has now tided over the internal resistance to said plan within the Indian Navy.

wispywood2344 said...

Hi Pete.

According to the disclosed JMSDF documents, Toryu's sonar system "ZQQ-7E" has progressed from Oryu's "ZQQ-7D-2" in the following ways;

A) Improved acoustic signal processing algorithm
B) Improved mechanical strength of the TASS

The latter is worthy of note, because it strongly suggests an increase in patrol speed.

In my opinion, one the reason why the JMSDF abandoned AIP & LAB and adopted LIB is to expand the hourly patrol area by increasing the patrol speed.
The AIP system on the Soryu Mk.1 allows 14 days of continuous diving at speeds of 4kt or less, but the JMSDF may not have been satisfied with that low speed.
The fact that increased patrol speed is one of the development goals of the sonar system currently under development reinforces this speculation.[1]

[1]Reiwa02 administrative review ; Development of the future submarine sonar sysytem.
https://www.mod.go.jp/j/approach/hyouka/rev_suishin/r02/rev_fin_r03/03-0011.xlsx

Regards

wispywood2344

Anonymous said...

Hi Pete

As Stirling AIP generates carbon dioxide, efficiency of AIP becomes 0% at 20 atmospheric pressure (=200m of dive depth). So, Stirling AIP is operated at much shallower depth. I think this depth limitation is also one of the reasons for abolishment of Stirling AIP in the latest Japanese submarine.

Regards

Pete said...

Hi Gessler [at Mar 27, 2021, 10:56:00 AM]

Thanks so much for your response - complete with succinct commentary and links.

I'll turn it into an article tomorrow.

Regards

Pete

Pete said...

Hi wispywood2344 [at Mar 28, 2021, 7:46:00 AM]

Thanks for the update on Toryu's sonar system. I've added it to https://gentleseas.blogspot.com/2021/03/japanese-navy-commissions-js-toryu-last.html

Regards

Pete

Pete said...

Hi Anonymous [at Mar 29, 2021, 9:29:00 AM]

Thankyou for your comment. I have used it at https://gentleseas.blogspot.com/2021/03/japanese-navy-commissions-js-toryu-last.html .

Regards

Pete

Anonymous said...

Stirling or PEM fuel cell.

In the nineties, the Dutch RDM Submarines company designed the Moray 1400 and 1800 export boat.
The Moray 1800 was to be equipped with an AIP. The engineers specified a 10 knots cruise speed via the AIP. Thus this 1.800 tonnes submerged boat needed 300 - 400 kW.
The design team looked at the Kockums Stirling AIP. RDM found them very interesting machines.

However, when you dive deeper than 200 meters, you will need a very noisy compressor to expel the exhasut gas overboard. The thermal efficiency of a Stirling engine at roughly 25 % is considerably lower compared to fuel cells and diesels. The Kockums Stirling delivers 75 kW. Three Stirlings gives 225 kW, that's enough for a 1.925 tonnes A26 Blekinge cruising at approx 5 - 6 knots. This slow cruise speed is okay when your Area of Responsibility (AoR) is relatively small. But for a large AoR, or if you want to track your opponont for a while. You will need a higher cruising speed of around 10 knots.

Why not just build a larger and thus stronger Stirling ? Well, the problem is that the size or volume of your Stirling will increase disproportionately. The German engine manufacturer MAN once built a 600 kW Stirling. However, that became a gigantic unruly beast.
Those arguments meant that the Moray design team ultimately went for German built PEM fuel cells.

Locum,

Anonymous said...

Folkes, what does the abbreviation SLH after Lithium-Ion Battery means ?
Locum,

Pete said...

Hi Locum [your Apr 5, 2021, 4:02:00 AM]

Anonymous-J1 may be able to correct me but SLH appears to be a confidential Japanese Navy-MoD designation for the LIBs used aboard the Soryu Mark 2s (Oryu and Toryu) and the new Taigeis. SLH apparently doesn't spell out the chemical formula.

However looking back on old SubMatts' articles Japan was only (or initially) looking at NCA LIBs.

see "Japan’s NTO aka TNO (2nd Generation LIB) for Submarine Tables" of Dec 17, 2018 at https://gentleseas.blogspot.com/2018/12/japans-nto-aka-tno-second-generation.html

"...There are rumours that the Japanese Navy my eventually replace its NCA LIBS with LTO [maybe operational in the 2030s]

...The two main First Generation LIBs for submarine that Japan has been developing are:

NCA – (Lithium Nickel Cobalt Aluminum Oxide) produced by Japanese company GS Yuasa. This is the LIB type in the Oryu. Oryu is a Soryu Mark 2 (aka Mk. II) (see TABLE 1. and 2. below). NCA has high energy density, but has a relatively short cycle life and less stability, and

LTO (Lithium Titanate Oxide) produced by Toshiba. Following Japan’s policy of continual evolution in submarines the Japanese Ministry of Defence (MoD) is developing a next generation LIB known as LTO. LTO LIBs will be smaller and more efficient than current NCA LIBs. Studies are being made in FY2017 and 2018. LTO’s are being developed in a Aus$1 billion program 2019 to 2023"

PETE COMMENT

I'm about 70% sure "SLH" = NCA, for Oryu and Toryu.

About 50% sure SLH for the first Taigei is NCA or

50% it is to be LTO.

Regards

Pete

Anonymous said...

Hi Pete

According to purchasing list of MoD, Oryu (27SS), Toryu (28SS) and Taigei (29SS) equip with SLH, a model name of lithium-ion battery for submarine, and fourth ship of Taigei-class (02SS) equips with improved SLHs (SLHbs?).

R&D of efficient energy storage and supply system for Japanese submarine is conducted in 2019-2023. A new battery which is more efficient than SLHb may be developed and LTO does not seem to be applied for Japanese submarine. At earliest, FY2024-submarine or 29SS Taigei might equip with new batteries.

Regards

Pete said...

Hi Anonymous [at Apr 6, 2021, 9:05:00 AM]

Thanks for clarifying the possible evolution of Japanese J-LIBs for submarine.

Clearly the J Navy/MoD for J national (natsec) and commercial security reasons don't want to reveal the exact chemical formula of the LIBs concerned.

I would say China's MSS and PLA intelligence would be attempting all intelligence collection methods and sources to try to reveal J-LIBs formula and operational (on Soryu and Taigeis) performance. This would reduce costs and risks for developing Chinese "C-LIBs" being tested on the Yuan-class.

China is also exploring SK's LIB program - which SK should resist for natsec and commercial security reasons.

Regards

Pete

Pete said...

Hi Locum [at Apr 5, 2021, 3:57:00 AM]

Regarding the Dutch Moray 1400 and 1800 (all-battery-electric-only concept that then explored AIP use)

to which you refer. Here is an excellent description, with cutaway artworks https://naviesworldwide.com/navy-news/do-conventional-submarines-need-diesel-engines/

All electric and/or AIP may be ideal where limited range, at limited slow speeds is required. So it is no surprise you mention Saab A26 Blekinges (operating in the confines of the Baltic). Yes Stirling has its 200m maximum depth problem – even for some lower seabed parts of the Baltic.

The German built PEM fuel AIP solution – being unconstrained by 200m water pressure, has been a greater sales success than Stirling AIP subs. This is one reason Singapore chose the German TKMS Type 218SG (lots of deeper than 200m waters in Indo-Pacific)

rather than waiting until 2018 for Saab to offer a A26 (with Stirling) solution.

Saab needs to be aware that if the Dutch are requiring AIP for Walrus replacement then >200m AIP may work to exclude the A26 from selection.

The need for higher energy concentration per kg ie. diesel fuel (with maybe also LOx/H2) is seen for long range higher speed subs eg. Attack class and many missions of the future Walrus replacements.

The highest energy/kg is seen in LEU to HEU SSNs making them ideal for long range, high speed, “blue water” missions.

Regards

Pete