Silent sub: Russian noiseless Borei class nuclear submarine immersed

RT.Com ^ | 30 December, 2012, 17:26

[rottndog]

Moreover, nuclear submarines generate a substantial and irreducible level of noise due to reactor cooling pumps.

Um...no. Primary coolant pumps are centrifugal pumps, and use the same sound/vibration isolation mounting technology as any other piece of equipment in the engine room...both US and Russian boats. Besides...in some reactor plant designs you don't need running main coolant pumps when doing quiet ops.

[ejonesie22]

One can hope, but in my dealings with them I have never been one to want to under estimate Russian ingenuity nor resourcefulness. Given where things are with the US it makes things “interesting”.

[Rockingham]

Not much information is available as to the noise levels of submarines, but the Federation of American Scientists website explains that a nuclear submarine's reactor "continues working and this is an additional source of noise" and that even "within a 'quiet' mode the difference in noise level between strategic nuclear submarines and diesel submarines, which were developed at the same time, is 10 dB."

In addition to the limitations of Russian manufacturing technologies, it is reported by the FAS that "Russian SSBNs are double-hulled, with double reactors and double shafts. This design guarantees great reliability, but, inevitably, at a sacrifice to the submarine's covertness."

I also note that the first few of the Borei class are built on old Akula hulls, which suggests a lesser level of noise suppression for those subs at least.

[Rockingham]

The best Russians are clever and resourceful -- but their society is deeply wounded, their government is a dysfunctional kleptocracy, and their military and associate industrial base are in decline. As a matter of essential state interest, the Russian government aims to have enough secure, deliverable nuclear weapons for deterrence to be considered a significant power. For that limited purpose, the Borei class ballistic missile subs will do, even if noisy by today's standards.