Type 041 submarine

The Type 041 submarine [http://mil.news.sina.com.cn/p/2007-07-18/0727455216.html] (Nato code name Yuan class) is the newest class of diesel-electric submarine in the People's Liberation Army Navy (as of 2007). This class was first launched at Wuhan Shipyard and is the successor of the Type 039 Song class.

Design

The Yuan class inherits the tail design of the Type 039 (NATO codename: Song class) with four diving planes and a single large shaft. The teardrop shaped hull and large sail suggest heavy Kilo influence. The teardrop shape also suggests a pressurized double hull design inherited from the Kilo. A pair of foreplanes are positioned in the middle of the sail. The submarine is equipped with indigenously developed cabin-raft (shock absorbers ) system that helped to reduce noise level by over 35dB. Additionally, the submarine is covered with rubber anti-sonar protection tiles to reduce the risk of detection.

Weapons

The Yuan class has five 533 mm torpedo tubes. These can be used to launch indigenous as well as Russian-made torpedoes. The Yuan class is also believed to be capable of launching YJ-8X (C-80X) series anti-ship missiles. The missile uses inertial + terminal active radar guidance. It carries a 165 kg time-delayed semi-armour-piercing high-explosive warhead, with a maximum range of 80~120 km and speed of Mach 0.9.

The Yuan class is also capable of firing the CY-1 ASW missile under water, but the status of the missile is in question because nothing is heard about its production. The CY-1 ASW missile has a maximum range of 18 km (10 nm), and when using A244 or Mark 46 torpedo as a payload.

This class is designed to replace the aging Romeo and Ming Class SSKs that currently forms the backbone of the PLAN conventional submarine force. At least one ship have been commissioned as of 2005 by the PLAN.

ensors

China was known to have imported the Thales TSM 2233 ELEDONE / DSUV-22 and Thales TSM 2255 / DUUX-5 from France during the 1980s and early 1990s. It also has access to a wide range of modern Russian sonar systems (MG-519 MOUSE ROAR, MGK-500 SHARK GILL) through its purchase of the Kilo Class. Comparable systems are expected to be installed for the Type 041.

The Type 041 is likely to be fitted with a comparable surface/air search radar similar to the MRK-50 SNOOP TRAY, a commercial navigation radar like a Furuno unit observed on a number of SONG class and ESM system is comparable to the Type 921-A.

Propulsion

Contrary to many erroneous claims circulated on the internet by domestic Chinese military enthusiasts, the rumored pump-jet propulsion system is not used on this submarine, because such system is still under development. According to the official academic journals published in China, when compared to the 7-blade propeller currently adopted, the prototype of the indigenously developed pump-jet can reduce noise level by 7 dB at 6 kt or 10 - 12 dB at 11 knots, but such system still needs further testing, and the newly rumored claim of pump-jet is planned for later units of this class is highly unlikely. Diesel engines are used for conventional propulsion, and this class is the first boat in Chinese inventory that can achieve full electrical propulsion, which greatly reduced the radiation noise. The same all-electrical propulsion design is also modified for use on Type 093 submarine and Type 094 submarine in Chinese navy. The general designer of both all-electrical propulsion systems is Professor Ma Weiming (马伟明, Dec 1960 -) of Naval Engineering University (Professor Ma was born in Yangzhong and obtained his Ph.D. from Tsinghua University in 1996).

According to Chinese newspaper "Science and Technology Daily" (科技日报), this class boat is equipped with air-independent propulsion system developed by the 711th Research Institute of the China Shipbuilding Heavy Industry Group Corp ( [http://www.csic-711.com/index.asp 中国船舶重工集团公司第七一一研究所] ), referred as "Specialized engine" by the official Chinese source. The 711th Institute was first formed in April 1963 but it was not until more than a decade later in 1975 did the research institute ventured into the field of air-independent propulsion system by establishing an office for "specialized engine" with a team of around a dozen researchers. In June, 1996, the office had developed into "specialized engine engineering research center" and by 2008, the number of researchers exceeded over a hundred. In 1998, the first experimental sample was built and a decade later and after a dozen technological breakthroughs, a wide range of matured versions became commercially available and the newest diesel-electric submarine in Chinese navy became the first customer. Although the official Chinese source had not mentioned the exact class of the submarine, it is generally accepted that the class is no other than Type 041 Yuan class, since it is the newest conventional powered submarine in the Chinese navy. The engine is built by Shanghai Qiyao Propulsion Technology Ltd. (上海齐耀动力技术有限公司), a wholly owned subsidiary of the 711th Institute ( [http://www.csic-711.com/index.asp 中国船舶重工集团公司第七一一研究所] ).

However, the Chinese source failed to mention the exact type of air-independent propulsion system had been installed, but the developer offered a selection ranging from 20 kW to 100 kW (rate for single unit). Recent rumors stated that the boat utilize a Sterling cycle engine, but this cannot be confirmed. It is also unclear if the incorporation of air-independent propulsion system has become the standard or just for evaluation purposes. Since the air-independent propulsion systems onboard western submarines usually rate at 150 kW to 300 kW, it is safe to assume that similar systems onboard Chinese submarines would be consisted of at least two units just like its western counterpart.

External links

* [http://www.sinodefence.com/navy/sub/yuan.asp SinoDefence - Yuan]
[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/china/yuan.htm Global Security - Yuan] Jane's [http://www.janes.com/defence/news/jni/jni040824_1_n.shtml "New submarine picture presents Chinese puzzle]