Japan SEA1000 Industry Briefing at PACIFIC 2015
Posted on 10/07/2015 1:55:32 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
Japan has offered to build Australia a larger version of its ultra- stealthy 4000-tonne Soryu, or Blue Dragon, submarine to dramatically increase its range.
The “enhanced” Soryu diesel-electric submarine, which could be built in Australia, would be powered by a new and safer generation of highly efficient lithium ion batteries developed by Japanese engineers.
The 88m long Soryu would be extended with the addition of a new hull section 6-8m long, which would be placed behind the submarine’s fin, The Australian was told in a briefing yesterday.
Japan, which is one of three contenders bidding to build Australia’s submarines, has prepared several options to be considered by the Royal Australian Navy and the Turnbull government, which include taking about 300 Australian engineers and other specialists to its Kobe shipyard to learn the skills needed to build the submarines in Australia.
The space saved by using the lithium ion batteries, which are smaller and more efficient than the much larger lead acid batteries now used, along with the additional room provided by the new hull section would give the Australian submariners room for a great deal more diesel to be carried along with the additional stores needed on the RAN’s months-long voyages.
It would also come with increased accommodation for the larger crews needed on long voyages and longer bunks for taller Australians.
There would also be room for separate quarters for male and female crew.
The submarine would come with equipment from the Soryu, including a snorkel allowing it to suck in air to run its diesel engines while submerged in a typhoon.
Members of a delegation of industrial and defence officials and military officers in Sydney said Japan was very keen to co-operate on the new submarine fleet to further develop the strategic relationship between the two nations.
(Excerpt) Read more at theaustralian.com.au ...
Japan SEA1000 Industry Briefing at PACIFIC 2015
Ah, those environmentally-enlightened Japanese.
Recycling the name “Soryu”.
Lithium batteries were once a fire hazard.
Now everybody uses them in their vaporizers and submarines.
Airplanes, even.
I still think they would have been better served buying some Virginia class boats.
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