How is the Indian programme for a SSN class advancing ? We hear a lot about Scorpene and potential derivative of Lada/Amur to replace eventually the Kilos, but much less about the SSNs !
obviously since it is supposed to be a top secret project,the last news that i heard is that thales uk has offered to supply it with a non-hull penetrating optronics mast and a combat management system(they claim it to be similiar to the one used on the royal navy astute class of submarines.)
Not much is known. Reactor design had some breakthroughs, one of the reactor having gone critical couple of months back. Problems with Titanium welding have been resolved by Larson and Toubro.
the estimates stated by the indian navy for the launch of the first submarine is 2007 ,but i believe it would be end 2009 or early 2010 when this submarine will be launched.
actually the biggest sucess that the indian navy achieved is that it solved the problem of mating the reactor containment vessel with the submarine's hull,i believe this was done with russian assistance.
Ok thanks for your best estimate on launch date.
Well the key is to get the reactor going (including running it for couple of years on land to get the define the safety parameters, evaluate reliability etc) . The land based reactor for ATV is running since 2004, by this time they should have good amount of data on its safety and reliability and whether design needs any changes.
Well the SSK isn't even built yet and all specs are not fully known, but is certainly is supposed to beat anything afloat at the moment in south Asia. Real question is what is its performance vs India's future Scorpenes ... especially as both subs are created by DCN.
I don't think Scorpene can take Brahmos as its not tube launched, but VLS. (Based on a TV documentary on Brahmos where Dr.Pillai showed a model of sub-launched Brahmos)
you are from France right? ok i am not good at sub field but since all subs Augosta 90b, Scorpenes, and Merlin are made in france tell me which one would you rate the best! please judge this without beeing pro indian..
Hmm then Klub-S may be ?
Klub-S is a possibility, is it compatible with the SUBTICS? Integrating a VLS can be done, but it has to be done during initial construction. In addition, to maintain the reserve buoyency, length may have to increased significantly, which in turn would mean upgrading the propulsion. Interestingly there is no operational SSK with a VLS. Amur 900 reportedly has a VLS, but its not in service.
maybe not the present version of the scorpene,but the indian navy already has plans to develop an indigenised and advanced version of the scorpene using the design experience gained from manufacturing the current batch of scorpenes,once the first 6 scorpenes are constructed.
the amur 1650 can be equipped with the vls brahmos,the length would automatically increase for any modifications,take for example the pakistani agostas they are larger than the standard agostas since they have been equipped with the mesma.scorpene is a modular design ,it is available in three different sizes,but its size and capability can be increased with any major design modifications to accomodate the vls brahmos.
Only trouble is US Navy forecast this in 2002 based on and article by Windolph, Wolfgang of 1998 ..so much for forecastingGood news for fuel cell systems such as those aboard U212A or the S1000
ciao
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