Suvorov
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- Jan 18, 2020
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| TYPE | Research & Development |
| COUNTRY | Japan |
| PROJECT | Mitsubishi Kukiryū-Class Miniature Stealth Submersible |
| PROJECT COST | 500,000,000.00 |
| COMPLETION DATE | 07/22/2020 |
| PROJECT INFORMATION | The Mitsubishi Kukiryū-Class (Stalking Dragon) Miniature Stealth Submersible is the Japanese answer for stealth, seaborne infiltration deployments. The Kukiryū utilizes a two-stage deployment technique used to extend the range of the infiltration operations as well as to maximize stealth at the point of infiltration. First stage deployment is the long range attachment with the short range. Second-stage deployment is only the portion of the submersible utilized for infiltration. First stage configuration may also be outfitted with very light armament or mine laying capabilities. Second stage deployment is strictly for the transport of personnel. The First-stage configuration is effectively an underwater engine tube with two chambers, a chamber for the Second-stage configuration, and a small chamber at the bottom for light armaments. Its purpose is to carry its payload great distances with as minimal to no noise as possible. The Second-stage configuration is a life-support pod with a small engine. The purpose of the second stage configuration is to keep its crew alive and warm until they can be deployed. When the second-stage configuration reaches its destination, divers may directly deploy to their target location, or use small, diving motors to propel them to the final destination. Deployment protocols are as follows: First-stage deployment to within 15-30 nm of the target in a safe, secure location. The first-stage delivery system is then anchored and the second stage is deployed. The second-stage delivery system will bring its passengers as close as mission details permit, and will then release its passengers. At this moment, the crew of the second-stage may return to the first stage and re-connect the configurations. Re-connecting involves the first stage swallowing the second, then expelling seawater from the inner chamber through internal pumps. Once seawater is expelled, ports from the first and second-stage configurations will open and salt-water proof (Highly resistant) couplings then use neumatic-pressure release to attach and reconnect the electronic arrays of the two systems. Divers from the second-stage exit the second stage and attach hooked cables from the inside of the first stage to the back of the second-stage and activate a small winch inside the first-stage to pull the second-stage into proper alignment inside the first. First-Stage Configuration Type: Submersible Displacement: 31 tonnes Length: 52ft Beam: 6.2 ft Propulsion: Lithium-ion batteries powering an electric motor and large single screw propeller, optimized to run at the RPM band in which no cavitation noise arises. Built with plain bearings. The engines is acoustically decoupled from the hull utilizing belt transmission to the propeller shaft. Speed: 15 kn Range: 136 nm Endurance: 24 hours Test depth: 44 ft Complement: 6 (2 crew, 6 passengers) [Housed in the second-stage] Sensors and processing systems: Doppler Inertial Navigation System, high frequency sonar for obstacle/mine avoidance and navigation, GPS Armament: x2 Type 89 Guided Torpedo or limpet mines Second-Stage Configuration Type: Submersible, diver propulsion vehicle Displacement: 21 tonnes Length: 33ft Beam: 5.9 ft Propulsion: Lithium-ion batteries powering an electric motor and a single screw propeller. Speed: 15 kn Range: 136 nm Endurance: 8 -12 hours Test depth: 20 ft Complement: 6 (2 crew, 6 passengers) Sensors and processing systems: Doppler Inertial Navigation System, high frequency sonar for obstacle/mine avoidance and navigation, GPS Armament: None |
| PRIVATE / ENCRYPTED | Yes |
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