In Russia, a unique concept has been described for a new underwater combat vessel with two operating hull positions — horizontal and vertical. Such a configuration sharply increases the submarine's low observability both during covert transit and while on combat duty; the document appeared in the FIPS database.
The vessel is capable of fully submerging and surfacing in both positions, changing hull orientation by means of a ballast tank system.
In cruising mode, the underwater vessel moves in the classic horizontal position. When switching to combat duty, it tilts into a vertical position, taking the above-water part of the hull underwater, the developers note.
This reduces visibility to the enemy's radar and electro-optical systems, and also complicates detection by hydroacoustics.
The key design element is separated ballast tanks, which are controllably filled with seawater and shift the center of gravity. As a result, the hull rotates as a whole, without complex external mechanisms. The pressure hull is designed to withstand pressure during submersion in either position.
The design provides for two main pressure hulls — bow and stern. The bow section houses the control post, hydroacoustics, navigation, living compartments, and auxiliary systems.
The stern section contains the power plant, including a conventional or nuclear propulsion scheme, the propulsion complex, and steering devices. Up to 40 launchers designed for torpedoes, mines, and cruise missiles are placed between the hulls.
The patent authors paid special attention to the emergency rescue module. This is a sealed pressure compartment with positive buoyancy, capable of separating from the hull and surfacing even with the full crew on board.
Weapons are launched using high-pressure air and hydraulic mass-compensation systems, which preserves stability after launch. The submarine can operate as a strike platform, a reconnaissance platform, or a carrier of strategic weapons.
This layout makes the vessel especially dangerous while on combat duty: in the vertical position it is harder to detect, and the launchers receive optimal orientation for a missile strike.
Read more materials on the topic:
- The Koalitsiya-SV self-propelled gun was protected from drones from above: a new defense has been patented
- In Russia, an armored refueler with alcohol has been patented — for aviation
- The design of a unique mortar was patented in Russia: twice as light as traditional models
