New technology to boost endurance of submarines

New Delhi: India has moved a step nearer to having its conventional diesel-electric submarines outfitted with air-independent propulsion (AIP) technology, which is able to improve their underwater endurance and stealth, even as the third Scorpene submarine is all set to be commissioned at Mumbai on Wednesday.

The DRDO on Tuesday said it had achieved "an important milestone" within the growth of the indigenous AIP system by proving its land-based prototype. Developed by the Naval Materials Research Laboratory (NMRL) of DRDO with the help of trade companions L&T and Thermax, the AIP system was operated in endurance mode for 14 days and most energy mode for 2 days. 

The 270-kw gasoline cell-based AIP system will start to be progressively retrofitted on the Scorpene submarines, which is able to contain including an extra hull part to every boat, after the primary one comes for an upkeep and refit improve after 2023-2024. There are a few concerns on the large delay within the AIP mission, which was initially slated for completion by June 2017 after being sanctioned in 2014 with a preliminary value of Rs 270 crore.

Unlike nuclear submarines, which have just about limitless underwater endurance, diesel-electric boats have to floor or snorkel few days to get oxygen to recharge their lead-acid batteries. But these fitted with AIP can keep submerged for longer durations to considerably boost their stealth and fight capabilities. Some nations like Japan, nonetheless, are already transferring in direction of excessive capability lithium-ion batteries to ultimately exchange AIP techniques for his or her conventional submarines. The US, of course, operates solely nuclear-powered submarines.

The DRDO, on its half, mentioned that whereas there are differing types of AIP techniques being pursued internationally, the gasoline cell-based one of NMRL is "unique" because the hydrogen is generated onboard. "The AIP system has now reached the stage of maturity for fitment into target vessels," mentioned an official.