Dajing-class submarine
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| Class overview | |
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| Name: | Dajing class |
| Builders: | Soong Heavy Industries |
| Operators: | TBC |
| Built: | 2018-present |
| In commission: | 2022- |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Attack submarine |
| Displacement: | Surface: 3000 tonnes |
| Length: | 84.0 m (275 ft 7 in) |
| Beam: | 9.1 m (29 ft 10 in) |
| Draught: | 10.4 m (34 ft 1 in) |
| Complement: | 70 |
| Sensors and processing systems: |
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| Armament: |
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The Dajing-class submarine is a new class of attack submarines developed by Soong Shipbuilding Corporation for the Monsilvan Navy and possibly for export. It is a successor to the Yunlong-class submarine. The Dajing class is equipped with a large amount of lithium-ion batteries, as is the case with the SKC Fenglong, the sixth submarine in the Yunlong-class. The batteries make it possible for the submarine to travel for longer and at higher speeds underwater than conventional diesel-electric submarines.
Contents
Development
The development of the Dajing class was conducted from a variety of researches aimed at developing new and improved submarine components to improve the capabilities of "next-generation submarines" that will operate in the 2020s and beyond.
Early studies
In 2004, an evaluation was made on researching next-generation submarine systems based on capability requirements: dive speed, stealth, etc. The research involved utilizing simulation technologies to optimize the most efficient design for the submarine and analyze its cost-effectiveness. The technical data obtained would be used to aid in the design and construction of the new submarine class. The project reflected that the submarines would be introduced in the 2020s and that the research is conducted between 2005 and 2008, while in-house testing occurs between 2007 and 2009. A total of ¥36.9 million were used to fund project.
In 2005, evaluations for next-generation submarine sonar and air-independent propulsion (AIP) system were initiated. The first project aimed to develop a new sonar array with improvements in weight reduction, power saving and detection ability in response to improved quietness of future ships and submarines. The second projects aimed to develop new AIP system to extend underwater sustainability for future submarines. The new sonars were to be introduced to next generation submarines operating from 2020s onward. Likewise, the new AIP systems will allow the submarines to expand their operational areas, including responding in shallow waters. Research on both components were carried out between 2006 and 2008 and tested between 2008 and 2009. A total of ¥69.1 million and ¥115.2 million yen were allocated for the sonar and AIP system projects.
Future equipment evaluation
In 2006, an evaluation for anti-detection/shock resistance submarine structure was conducted. The project involved researching propeller and hull shape design to reduce noise generation and submarine structure to improve noise reduction and impact resistance. The research called for the next-generation submarine make use of floating floor structure; the floorboards are attached to the inner shell through buffer mechanism to prevent vibration inside to submarine from getting out and protect against shock from outside the submarine. A prototype was developed between 2007 and 2011 and tested between 2010 and 2014. A total of ¥18.4 million were used to fund the project.
Structure and hull
In 2012, research on the structural mode for submarines was conducted. Typically when adding new equipment onto an existing submarine design the solution to integrate it is to extend the compartment length of the submarine; which in turn increases the size, reinforcing of materials and price. The purpose of the research is to reduce future submarine size and price by optimizing the structural mode of the pressure shell of a submarine and obtain technical data to develop future submarine design. A research prototype was developed between 2013 and 2015 and in-house testing were conducted between 2014 and 2015. A total of ¥50.7 million were used to fund the research.
In 2016, proposed research on new hull design to reduce fluid noise and a new sonar system to cope with the quietness of future foreign ships and submarines were evaluated. The research into the reduction of fluid noise will implement technologies to reduce interference noise from the hull and propeller and reduce low frequency noise components caused by the interference generated between the flow around the hull and the propeller. The evaluation into the new sonar system expects that foreign surface ships and submarines operating in the 2030s will improve their quietness and operate in complex and diverse marine environments; thus improvements in detection and tracking capabilities were researched. The first research was commenced between 2017 and 2020, while testing occurs between 2019 and 2022. Development of a new sonar system is researched between 2017 and 2020, followed by immediate testing in 2020. A total of ¥55.3 million were used to research the new hull design, while ¥235 million were used to research the sonar system.
Silent drive and power storage
In 2017, research on a silent drive system was evaluated. The silent drive system is used to further reduce the noise emitted from the submarine in response to improvements made in sonar technology by other countries. Research was conducted between 2018 and 2021 and will be tested between 2021 and 2022. A total of ¥262.7 million were allocated for this project.
In 2018, an evaluation on a high-efficiency power storage and supply system was conducted. The project aimed to improve the efficiency and energy of the power storage and supply system by achieving high efficiency and miniaturization in the power supply system and increasing the capacity and density of the power storage system. Prototyping occurs between 2019 and 2022 and in-house testing to simulate the installation on a submarine occurs in 2023. A total of ¥202.7 million are used in its development.
Design
The hull design of the Dajing class is said to not differ too much from the Yunlong class but will 100 tonnes heavier than its predecessor. However, the Dajing-class submarines will be more advanced as they are equipped with newer equipment such as sonar systems and snorkel power generation systems. The Dajing class will use lithium-ion batteries much like the SKC Fenglong submarine. The submarines use newly developed torpedoes, succeeding the older ones used in previous submarines.
Operational use
The first submarine of this class, Dajing, will be converted to a test submarine. The reason for the change is due to the need to acquire a dedicated test submarine instead of pulling an ordinary submarine from its operations to conduct tests. By doing so, the Monsilvan Navy can increase operating days and strengthen monitoring activities with their attack submarines while the test submarine will accelerate research and development.
Boats
| Name | Monsilvan | Namesake | Laid down | Launched | Commissioned |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SKC Dajing | 大鯨 | Great Whale | 25 January 2019 | 14 October 2021 | 20 March 2023 |
| ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |
| ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |
TBC
| Name | TBC | Namesake | Laid down | Launched | Commissioned |
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