TKMS continues to refine its Type 212CD E design bid in consultation with the Dutch Navy. There will be ongoing design changes even if the Dutch Navy makes a bid decision (versus Saab and Naval Group) in the early 2020s.
Following this earlier article on the future 212CD E (for Common Design Expeditionary) being marketed by TKMS. Anonymous has kindly reported (with some editing by Pete for improved English) the following:
Based on the TKMS Type 216, proposed for the Australian Navy's future submarine competition (finally won by Naval Group) [1], diesels for the 212CD E are considered as follows:
[1] To achieve improved efficiency and reduced R&D costs the 212CD E might be based on 216 as well as Type 212A. Concerning the, so far, not built large 216, with specs at this link, the artwork right at the bottom, (at "1/3", "2/3" and "3/3") is particularly interesting. Also see 2 cutaways below, of the 216, from this article noting the Vertical Multi Purpose Lock behind the fin/sail.
[2] The future Netherlands’ submarine requires better safety and redundancy like the existing Walrus class submarine, which has 3 diesels engines. A baseline 212A design would never be accepted by the Netherlands because the 212A has only one diesel.
[3] Reduced magnetism for the hull and for other equipment is an important feature of the 212CD E. Non-magnetic stainless steel would be used for pressure hull material. In this context, reduction of magnetic mass of other equipment (such as diesels) would be an objective. The latest MTU 12V4000 diesel is suitable for the 212CD E.
[See this MTU documentwhich recommends the MTU 4000 “The standard battery charging unit can easily be customized with project specific generators and mounting system for individual shock, acoustic and other Naval requirements – including magnetic signature reduction.” ].
The HY100 grade pressure hull of the Walrus submarine is made of non-magnetic steel. But the Walrus’s 3 x SEMT Pielstick 12PA4V200SM dieselsseem to be magnetic.
[4] The control room is always set under the bridge for submarines with periscopes. This places design constraints on a submarine. But as the 212CD E will instead use photonic masts there are not the same design constraints. To achieve a short exhaust pipe to reduce exhaust resistance and improve diesel efficiency the best location of diesels is under the bridge. (See 2:51 in this Youtube) The red rectangles may be a vertical launching system (VLS). If the Green square in front of propulsion motor (green) represents diesels, intake and the exhaust system, this will crowd/complicate the VLS system. Though this arrangement of diesels is suitable for a submarine with a single hull, it might be not suitable for a mixed single/double hull submarine.
[5] Again see 2:51 in this Youtube. Maybe the green square in front of propulsion motor (green) means AIP fuel cells and not diesels. Heavy diesels are mounted in a double suspension manner (diesel – suspension- floating deck – suspension- hull) which needs enough space under the diesels and a low center of gravity for the diesel position.
PETE COMMENT
As can be seen above, the interim design of the 212CD E raises many questions. Even if the Netherlands chooses a 212CD E bid or competing Saab or Naval Group bid in the early 2020sthere will be further changes to nail down a final design.
By Anonymous (edits by Pete)