| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Builders: | Navantia, Cartagena |
| Operators: | Spanish Navy |
| Preceded by: | Agosta class submarine |
| Built: | 2005–2016 |
| In commission: | 2013 (planned) |
| Building: | 4 |
| Planned: | 4 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Submarine with AIP |
| Displacement: | 2,200 tonnes (2,200 long tons; 2,400 short tons) surfaced 2,426 tonnes (2,388 long tons; 2,674 short tons) submerged |
| Length: | 71.05 m (233.1 ft) |
| Beam: | 11.68 m (38.3 ft) |
| Draught: | 6.02 m (19.8 ft) |
| Propulsion: | 1 shaft diesel-AIP 3 Bio-ethanol engines (3 x 1,200 kW) 1 electric motor (3,500 kW), 1 AIP fuel cell unit (300 kW) |
| Speed: | 12 kn (22 km/h; 14 mph) surfaced 19 kn (35 km/h; 22 mph) submerged |
| Complement: | 32 (plus 8 special forces troops) |
| Armament: | 6 x 533 mm torpedo tubes |
The S-80 Class is a series of submarines of advanced technology that is currently under construction for the Spanish Navy. Initially there will be four units, with a future expansion to six, two of which are in production (as of 2011) by the Spanish company Navantia at its factory in Cartagena. Their fundamental characteristic is a new propulsion system, designed for a high degree of autonomy under water. Its mission includes: projection of naval power on land, naval special warfare, surveillance, protection of naval forces and deterrence. The first will enter service in the Spanish Navy in 2013 and the second in 2014. The construction of the third in the series began in 2009. It is expected that construction on the fourth will begin soon, as well as the commissioning of two additional units.[1][2]
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The submarines of the S-80 class are designed to better complete their mission in threat scenarios. Their operational mobility will allow them to operate in remote areas, traveling discreetly at high speeds. Their air independent propulsion (AIP) system will ensure their ability to remain long periods of time in an area without being detected and their ability to operate in possible conflict zones.[3]
Their capabilities include:
The AIP (air independent propulsion) implemented on the S-80 is completely different from the French MESMA (Module Energie Sous-Marin Autonome) project.
The AIP system is based on a bioethanol-processor (provided by Hynergreen from Abengoa) consisting of a reaction chamber and several intermediate Coprox reactors, that will transform the BioEtOH in high purity hydrogen. The output feeds a series of fuel cells from UTC Power company (which also supplied fuel cells for the Space Shuttle).
The Reformator is fed with bioethanol as fuel, and oxygen (stored as a liquid in a high pressure cryogenic tank), generating hydrogen and carbon dioxide as subproducts. The produced hydrogen and more oxygen is fed to the fuel cells.
The bioethanol-processor also produces a stream of highly concentrated carbon dioxide and other trace gases that are not burned completely during combustion. This gas flow is mixed with sea water in one or more ejector venturi scrubber and then through a new system called SECO2 (or CO2 Removal System), developed by Bionet, and whose purpose is to dissolve the "bubbles" of CO2 in water to undetectable levels.[4]
The oxygen and fuel flow rates are directly determined by the demand for power. The AIP power in the S-80 submarine is at least kW.[4]
A permanent-magnet electric motor moves a fixed propeller of a special design, that doesn't create cavitations at high speed.
This article incorporates material from Spanish Wikipedia