Comparative naval architecture analysis of diesel submarines

Abstract

Many comparative naval architecture analyses of surface ships have been performed, but few published comparative analyses of submarines exist. Of the several design concept papers, reports and studies that have been written on submarines, no exclusively diesel submarine comparative naval architecture analyses have been published. One possible reason for few submarine studies may be the lack of complete and accurate information regarding the naval architecture of foreign diesel submarines. However, with some fundamental submarine design principles, drawings of inboard profiles and plan views, and key assumptions to develop empirical equations, a process can be developed by which to estimate the submarine naval architectural characteristics. comparative naval architecture analysis creates an opportunity to identify new technologies, review the architectural characteristics best suited for submarine missions and to possibly build more effective submarines. An accurate observation is that submarines designed for different missions possess different capabilities. But are these unique capabilities due to differences in submarine naval architecture? Can mission, cost, or other factors affect the architecture?

(cont.) This study examines and compares the naval architecture of selected diesel submarines from data found in open literature. The goal is to determine weight group estimates and analyze whether these estimates provide a relevant comparison of diesel submarine naval architecture.