Foxtrot Alpha
Is This Jumbo Diesel Electric Submarine A True Nuclear Alternative?
Tyler Rogoway
11/03/14 2:15PM
Air Independent Propulsion equipped diesel electric submarines offer incredibly stealthy and long diving capabilities, but they have remained somewhat diminutive in size and limited in capabilities compared to their larger nuclear counterparts. Now, renowned French naval ship builder DCNS is looking to change that with their super-sized SMX-Ocean sub concept.
The SMX-Ocean's size is telling � 328 feet long and displacing 4,750 tons while surfaced (more while submerged). That makes her roughly three times the size of the innovative AIP capable Swedish Gotland Class AIP diesel electric subs (diesel electric subs are also known as SSKs) that largely introduced the modern AIP concept as a usable form of undersea propulsion.
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