I have long been an advocate for 50 of these little boats for the USN.
The reason for nukes is self sufficiency. The Navy pretty much has a policy of maintaining self sufficiency as much as possible. A diesel-electric, if ever used, ahould have the option of hooking up for power to the fleet of nuke subs or boats, or even using a diesel refueling system similar to air refueling.
Also, arent the Collins US built German designs? Why use the French build when the US can design and build its own?
Diesel/Electric...
A frickin’ hybrid..?
It’s a liie Prius Sub...
Just what we need...
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As a nuke, I prefer other countries use diesels. Easier to pick them off when they surface for a load of biofuel.
Come to think of it, loading biofuel made from pig waste into one of these boats would be like farting into a divers snorkel. That’s just not right!
The last conventionally-powered sub in service with the US Navy was the USS Blueback, which during the twilight of its career served as an aggressor submarine for nuclear submarines to practice against.
Tell me about it. I was on the SS581 off San Diego playing the target for ships subs and AWACs. I’ll take boomers anyday, plus the food is much better.
We won’t be acquiring anything as long as the communist party controls Washington!!
AIP???
How can a diesel be air independent?