I read that the Swedish navy has developed a new class od small submarines, that run on a closed cycle Stirling Engine. The sub is capable of storing enough liquid oxgen, to enable it to stay down for up to 3 weeks. Plus, the running gear is very quiet-US Antis Submarine sonars can’t detect it!
Is this type of small submarine likley to make nuclear subs obsolete?
Paging casdave and robby. But IIRC modern diesel subs are quieter than nukes anyway.
Three weeks isn’t soon likely to make six-month duration obsolete. There’s also the point that nuclear subs can do impressive speeds submerged (some say 50+ knots); is it likely that this new one can match that?
The subs in question are the Gotland class. The US Navy leased one along with the crew for a year, and then extended the lease for a further year. Presumably the USN was keen to hone its ASW techniques.
Well, until the batteries run out. Then not so much.
Nuclear subs have their own advantages, but a very quiet boat that can stay submerged for a couple of weeks instead of the usual couple of days is an increased danger to surface units, I’d expect.
Handy for coastal defense ASW, not so much for Delivering The Bomb And Safeguarding Our Precious Bodily Fluids… and cruise missile strikes.
I suppose it’d work for merchant convoy escorts, if I’m reading right, but that’s kinda’… obsolete, I suppose.