RAN's Collins class replacement

[Albany Rifles]

I think you are confusing a TAB with a slab. The latter name probably relates to the shape - 24 cans packed flat in a rectaggle shape has a 'slab' look about it. TAB stands or Totalizator Agency Board and is a betting shop in Australia & New Zealand. I'll spare you the many details, but until the internet they were the only way to bet off track legally.

Of course...a slab!

And you know me, Pete. Eventually everything turns to beer!!!

[Monash]

Now that you mention it having a TAB onboard would be good to, it would help alleviate the boredom of long patrols. Also imagine if crews could lay bets on the outcomes of the next multinational war game they were involved in. Who 'sinks' who, how long can they remain undetected that kind of thing. Lots of options.

[Bigfella]

Of course...a slab!

And you know me, Pete. Eventually everything turns to beer!!!

....or whiskey. Don't go turning your back on your ancestors.

[Bigfella]

Now that you mention it having a TAB onboard would be good to, it would help alleviate the boredom of long patrols. Also imagine if crews could lay bets on the outcomes of the next multinational war game they were involved in. Who 'sinks' who, how long can they remain undetected that kind of thing. Lots of options.

That would work. Given the likely missions they could watch the races in Hong Kong.

[Bigfella]

I'm not sure that a 'loaner' is practical, but we might need it if this entire process takes another 15-20 years.

I'm also open to the subs being built overseas provided it substantially improves the time involved or quality.

OK, looks like I might be right about the first & not the second. Not sure if we want any of those ageing Virginias, and assuming quality will be better overseas might not be correct.

A metallurgist in Washington state pleaded guilty to fraud Monday after she spent decades faking the results of strength tests on steel that was being used to make U.S. Navy submarines.

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/me...gPcMQrrJdGQJ_k

[jlvfr]

Of course...a slab!

And you know me, Pete. Eventually everything turns to beer!!!

Should be fun, driving a nuke boat after a night at the "pub"...

[Monash]

Should be fun, driving a nuke boat after a night at the "pub"...

Maybe that explains the underwater rocks US subs have been hitting?

[Albany Rifles]

....or whiskey. Don't go turning your back on your ancestors.

For my ancestors that would be whisky (Scottish) and whiskey (Irish).

Of course I've been Americanized so it is more bourbon for me!

[Officer of Engineers]

Should be fun, driving a nuke boat after a night at the "pub"...

*** Memories of hangovers and Morning Parade and a very evil smiling RSM ***

[Bigfella]

For my ancestors that would be whisky (Scottish) and whiskey (Irish).

Of course I've been Americanized so it is more bourbon for me!

My background is mostly Irish, so I'm a whiskey man, though whisky is an acceptable substitute. I have had some nice bourbon (had a beautiful Buffalo Trace the other night), but overall it is a distinct third place.

Oh, and for the benefit of the Colonel, there will be NO Fosters on Australian subs. There would be mass desertions and/or mutiny. We export that crap to foreigners.

[tbm3fan]

For my ancestors that would be whisky (Scottish) and whiskey (Irish).

Of course I've been Americanized so it is more bourbon for me!

As a McD..... I'll weigh in also. I too like beer if of the craft variety with a flavor to savor. No Scot in me so they can keep their whisky for the most part. However, I do enjoy Jameson but when you cut to the chase in a liquor it will be a good bourbon first and then a good tequila both of which I love.

[Officer of Engineers]

Oh, and for the benefit of the Colonel, there will be NO Fosters on Australian subs. There would be mass desertions and/or mutiny. We export that crap to foreigners.

You do know that Australia is the home of award winning single malts. You would think the RAN would rather store whisky instead of beer, requing zero refrigeration, a hell of a lot less space, and raise the culture of your boat people but alas boat people and culture are mutually exclusive.

[Bigfella]

You do know that Australia is the home of award winning single malts. You would think the RAN would rather store whisky instead of beer, requing zero refrigeration, a hell of a lot less space, and raise the culture of your boat people but alas boat people and culture are mutually exclusive.

Do I know that Australia is the home of award winning single malts? Are you trying to hurt my feelings sir? This very moment I am drinking a fine product from Tasmania's Lark Distillery, the place that started the modern whisky distilling movement in Australia.

I also learned recently that Morris winery of Rutherglen has dusted off some 1930s era distilling equipment & begun producing whisky. In addition to producing award winning fortified wines, Morris has a family connection. It is just across the mighty Murray river from the smal ltown of Howlong, where my mother grew up. Her father was the town baker in Howlong. He also delivered bread & mail to properties outside town. One of these was Morris' winery. He was still well remembered there many decades after his death. When he died & his bakery was torn down they bought the bricks to build some outbuildings. I have a bottle of theirs which is next on my 'to open' list.

As for your idea, I like it, but I don't feel that we should have to choose. So, quality single malts for all the boats along with some quality beer. That should help with recruiting.

[JRT]

A big supply of ethanol could have dual use.

Navantia’s “BEST” AIP (Bio-Ethanol Stealth Technology)

Navantia’s BEST AIP is to be installed into a submarine under construction, the S80 Plus. This is a step forward which emphasizes the uniqueness and maturity of Navantia’s AIP solution.

The S80 Class submarines under construction by Navantia are fitted with Navantia’s proprietary BEST (Bio-Ethanol Stealth Technology) Air Independent Propulsion (AIP). This is the most advanced and revolutionary solution in the market in terms of reliability, endurance and low maintenance, therefore providing very high tactical capabilities to the Spanish Navy.

Achieving this goal has required two decades of rigorous technology development process, a hard and long path not exempt of technical challenge. Nonetheless the final result is very appealing.

Whilst first generation AIPs using Stirling engines have improved over the years, they still represent a very rudimentary and lowefficient solution. Second generation AIPs include a fuel cell which combines an oxidant and fuel to generate power. However, they render a problem with Hydrogen storage, requiring large and heavy hydride cylinders placed outside the submarine and logistic issues for the supply of ultra-pure hydrogen.

Whereas first and second generations AIP systems are still provided in small submarines without ocean going ambitions, the third generation AIPs have been developed for expeditionary submarines. These systems replace hydrogen storage by hydrogen production onboard. This is the solution under development by some suppliers, considering ethanol, methanol or diesel-oil as fuel.

Navantia’s BEST AIP combine the expertise the Spanish company Abengoa Innovación for the fuel processor, and the American company Collins Aerospace, well known for their work in aerospace for NASA, for the fuel cell. Hydrogen is produced from agricultural bio-ethanol, readily available worldwide, as opposed to other solutions in the market using highpurity diesel oil or methanol.

This challenge required the development by Abengoa of a cutting-edge Hydrogen generator -a high thermal efficiency miniaturized bioethanol processor- to feed a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell specifically developed, as well, for the S80 Programme by Collins Aerospace. Process fuel gases are managed by the Carbon Dioxide Disposal System designed and developed by Bionet, a Spanish processes engineering company, in collaboration with Navantia. This system provides perfect gas dilution in seawater -avoiding presence of bubbles which could degrade submarine stealthiestto guarantee an exceptional noise level performance as in pure electric diving.

The fuel cell supplied by Collins Aerospace is specifically developed to military naval specifications, not a commercial based PEM fuel cell adapted for submarine use. The cell stacks are made of porous bipolar plates for passive water management and uniform, continuous membrane humidification (no need for humidification or liquid water removal systems). This advanced design not only makes the fuel cell simpler at the system level, but also provides double service life duration in comparison with the market standard operating on reformate gas and pure Oxygen (not air). This avoids the need for Hydrogen purification systemssuch as a membrane- or simulate air, a further simplification of the system.

Often a smoothly run project gets a black eye because of problems during implementation. As opposed to other third generation AIPs in the market, which remain at laboratory level without a project for implementation in the near term, Navantia’s BEST AIP is to be installed into a submarine under construction, the S80 Plus. This is a step forward which emphasizes the uniqueness and maturity of Navantia’s AIP solution.

Long-term (land-based) tests have been completed at a test facility at the Cartagenashipyard (Spain), construction place of the S80 plus, with a true submarine operational profile, confirming a submerged enduranceof up to three weeks.

Many years of submarine operation experience, submarine design and NASA programmes have permitted the development of Navantia’s BEST AIP components. Multiyear collaboration between the Spanish MoD and the Navy, Navantia, Abengoa Innovación and Collins Aerospace has resulted into a very reliable AIP solution, safe and with low maintenance requirements, that uses lowcost easy-sourcing bio-ethanol as fuel.

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[Albany Rifles]

A big supply of ethanol could have dual use.




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Sounds like the rebirth of Torpedo Juice!!!


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torpedo_juice