Submarines: June 2, 2001

Archives

The UAE (United Arab Emirates) has unveiled two new midget submarines (classed as Swimmer Delivery Vehicles or Long Range Submersible Carriers). Both vehicles have a pilot in front with a navigator behind him under separate quick-release canopies. Both have an air system and the crew can switch back and forth between the on-board system and their own rebreathers. Both vehicles are made from nine layers (80mm total thickness) of glass-reinforced plastic and carbon composites. Both are powered by an eight kilowatt electric motor; the batteries provide ten hours of power. Both are designed to cruise at 6 knots at 30 meters below the surface, but they can dive to 50 meters and can reach seven knots. Both have a low acoustic and low magnetic signature. Both have a depth sounding system able to reach 30 meters and a sonar with a range of 150 meters. The manufacturer is designing an advanced vehicle able to carry up to ten divers. The Class-4 entered service in 1994 and several are used by the UAE special forces. It is 7.35m long, 0.95 meters in diameter, and can deliver a payload of 200kg plus the two-man crew. It uses Silver-Zinc batteries. The Class-5 has just been ordered and should enter service next year. It is 9.1m long, has a diameter of 1.15m, and can deliver a payload of 450kg. --Stephen V Cole

 

X

ad

Help Keep Us From Drying Up

We need your help! Our subscription base has slowly been dwindling.

Each month we count on your contributions. You can support us in the following ways:

  1. Make sure you spread the word about us. Two ways to do that are to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
  2. Subscribe to our daily newsletter. We’ll send the news to your email box, and you don’t have to come to the site unless you want to read columns or see photos.
  3. You can contribute to the health of StrategyPage.
Subscribe   Contribute   Close