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Naval Warfare


Shortfin Barracuda (class)


Diesel-Electric Attack Submarine [ 2030 ]



Twelve boats are set to make up the new Shortfin Barracuda-class of conventionalyl powered submarines for the Royal Australian Navy.



Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 01/01/2019 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

VIEW SPECIFICATIONS [+]
DCNS of France is heading design and development of a new-generation of Royal Australian Navy (RAN) attack submarines in the "Shortfin Barracuda-class" (Block 1A) under the "Future Submarine Program" initiative. The design was selected by Australia in April of 2016 to succeed the aging Collins-class boats and will considerably bolster RAN undersea capabilities in the contested Asia-Pacific Theater. The boats are diesel-electric-powered variants of the French nuclear-powered "Barracuda-class" set to come online with the French Navy in 2019 by way of lead-ship FS Suffren.

The Block 1A standard replaces the complex (and potentially dangerous) nuclear-based propulsion pack with a combination diesel-electric system offering an excellent at-sea range of 18,000 nautical miles and an undersea endurance window of about three months before needing resupply/refuel. The arrangement will sport a permanent magnet-based motor system along with 4 x Diesel alternators and a single pump-jet. The crew is set to number sixty (to include twelve officers) with integral support for the delivery and recovery of special forces elements (numbering twelve specialists). The boat will be armed through 4 to 8 (sources vary) x 533mm torpedo tubes with 20 to 28 reloads carried (Mk 48 family) (again, sources vary). The tubes will also support the underwater launching of the "Harpoon" Anti-Ship Missile (ASM) family and possibly land-attack cruise missiles as well as the dispensing of naval mines as needed (in place of the torpedoes). Overall length is estimated at 318 feet with a beam measuring 29 feet.

The profile of these boats will be traditional with a sail fitted at midships (or slightly ahead), a well-rounded nosecone assembly (housing a powerful Thales sonar unit), and a tapered aft-hull section. Flanking sonars will line the sides of the hull near midships. The sail, contoured well into the dorsal hull line, will be home to the usual assortment of sensors, communications, and radar masts. The tailplanes will be arranged in an "X" shape. The propeller unit will be shrouded as a noise-reduction feature. Dive planes will be mounted to the sides of the forward hull (as opposed to the sail component).

The boats will be built in Australia by ASC Pty Ltd of Adelaide, South Australia and are set to begin their construction at the start of the next decade. The RAN is expecting twelve total boats to make up the new series of very capable attack submarines - their arrival set to coincide with China's naval rise (and subsequent boldness) in the region. Commissioning of the first boats is planned for2030 with service set to reach into the 2070s.

The RAN is spending upwards of $38.5 billion USD on the program.©MilitaryFactory.com
Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.MilitaryFactory.com. It is the product of many hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, veterans, insiders, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at MilitaryFactory AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.

Specifications



Australia
Operators National flag of Australia
2030
Commissioned
Australia
National Origin
In Development
Project Status
60
Complement
Shortfin Barracuda-class
Hull Class
12
Number-in-Class
Twelve boats planned.
Ships-in-Class


Submerged Attack
Traveling under the surface to search, track, and / or engage or reconnoiter areas.
Offshore Operation
Activities conducted near shorelines in support of allied activities.
Maritime Patrol
Active patroling of vital waterways and maritime areas; can also serve as local deterrence against airborne and seaborne threats.
Fleet Support
Serving in support (either firepower or material) of the main surface fleet in Blue Water environments.


318.0 feet
(96.93 meters)
Length
29.0 feet
(8.84 meters)
Beam
24.0 feet
(7.32 meters)
Draught
3,500
tons
Displacement
4,000
tons
Displacement (Submerged)


Diesel-Electric configuration involving permanent magnet motor of 9,400 horsepower, 4 x Diesel alternators, and 1 x Pump-jet.
Propulsion
14.0 knots
(16.1 mph)
Surface Speed
21.0 knots
(24.2 mph)
Submerged Speed
18,001 nm
(20,715 miles | 33,338 km)
Range
1 knot = 1.15 mph; 1 nm = 1.15 mile; 1 nm = 1.85 km


4 to 8 x 533mm torpedo tubes with 20 to 28 torpedo reloads (Mk 48 family. Also support for Harpoon Anti-Ship Missiles (ASMs), possibly land-attack cruise missiles, and naval mine dispensing.


None.


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