Published on November 5th, 2014 | by Christopher DeMorro

New Diesel-Electric Submarine Could Make Nukes Obsolete

For the past five decades, nuclear-powered subs have been the dominant predator beneath the planet’s oceans, able to stay underwater and away from shore for months at a time. Yet a new diesel-electric sub design from French shipbuilder DCNS could make even the most potent nuclear subs seem obsolete thanks to a near-silent Air Independent Propulsion system.

Using traditional diesel engines, a fuel cell, large lithium-ion battery pack, and liquid oxygen to replace the air normally used in combustion engines, the SMX-Ocean sub concept could stay off-shore in deepwater operations for 90 days at a time. The AIP system also allows the sub to remain submerged for up to 21 days at a time, and gives it a range of about 18,000 miles at an average speed of about 10 knots, according to Jalopnik’s Foxtrot Alpha.

Despite carrying a full armament of underwater unmanned vehicles, special forces, and 34 missiles, torpedoes, or mines, the SMX-Ocean concept displaces just 4,750 tons while above water. That is a lot less than the 7,900 tons of displacement of the Virginia-class nuclear subs that make up much of the U.S. submarine fleet, yet carries just 39 weapons in comparison. But perhaps the coolest feature of the SMX-Ocean diesel-electric subs is its “virtual” periscope.

Rather than relying on the traditional long-pole periscope that requires submarines to come close to the surface to spy or communicate, the SMX-Ocean class of subs can deploy a buoy instead. This allows the submarine to remain deeper in water, without losing the ability to attack, spy, or communicate. It’s a remarkably clever solution that I’m surprised has taken this long to develop, and goes well with the near-silent operation of the AIP diesel-electric drivetrain.

With each of America’s nuclear submarines costing close to $2 billion to build and another $50 million annually to operate, a diesel-electric hybrid submarine could come in at a much lower cost without sacrificing much in the way of capabilities or armament. The U.S Navy is seeking to diversify its fuel sources, and while nuclear submarines may have a potential service life of 33 years or more each, the future of underwater warfare may have just taken a silent and deadly twist. The only thing quieter could be an Elon Musk-designed fully-electric sub, but I won’t hold my breath (ha!) for that one.

It’s just another way hybrids are making the world a better(ish?) place.

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Tags: Air Independent Propouslion, DCNS, diesel-electric submarine, france, french, hybrid submarine, nuclear subs, SMX Ocean, Virginia class submarines

About the Author

Christopher DeMorro A writer and gearhead who loves all things automotive, from hybrids to HEMIs, Chris can be found wrenching or writing- or esle, he's running, because he's one of those crazy people who gets enjoyment from running insane distances.