Spain - S-80 Spanish Project

The S-80 Class is a series of submarines of the Spanish Navy that is currently under construction. Initially there will be four units, with a future expansion to six, two of which are already in production by the Spanish company Navantia 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 Armada 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.

Navantia is building its own S-80 design for the Spanish Armada. Spain’s new submarines will be larger boats with AIP systems as standard gear, as well as other important modifications. This article will cover the S-80 submarines’ capabilities and associated key events and contracts – including sub-contracts to American, British, and Italian firms.

Capabilities

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, travelling 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.

Their capabilities include:

A combat system for multiple target acquisition in different scenarios.

The ability to transport personnel, including special operations forces.

Low noise and magnetic signatures in order to minimize detection.

Low radar and infrared signatures in order to minimize detection.

Specifications

Kind of submarine: SSK

Displacement (Surface): 2.200 t

Displacement (Submerged): 2.426 t

Length: 71,05 m

Beam: 11,68 m

Draught: 6,02 m

Propulsion:

3 diesel engines

1 electric engine

1 AIP reactor

Speed (Surface): 12 knots

Speed (Submerged): 19 knots

Range:

50/60 days of navigation in surface

20/30 days of navigation submerged at 4 knots

Complement:

3 Officers

4 Subofficers

25 sailors

8 Special Forces soldiers

Armament:

6 x 533mm torpedo launchers

DM2/A4 Torpedos

Mk48 Torpedos

Sub-Harpoon Block II missiles

Tomahawk TacTom Cruise missiles (range about 1600 km)

AIP System

Their propulsion system is electric, including an independent platform of the atmosphere (AIP), based on a fuel cell Fuel Cell UTC provided by the companies (the same company that provides fuel cells to ferry NASA) Abengoa and can be fed with oxygen and hydrogen, with high requirements of purity, which gives the condition 'anaerobic' to navigate immersion. A permanent magnet electric motor moves a fixed pitch propellers and special design that will void the cavitated high speed. The fuel used is bioethanol. The bioethanol will be treated by a process provided by the company Hynergreen (a company belonging to Abengoa) consisting of a combustion chamber and several intermediate Coprox jet that will transform the BioEtOH high purity hydrogen.

Among the waste gases from the reactions of your bioethanol there is a stream of high content of carbon dioxide and other trace gases are not burned completely during combustion. This gas flow is mixed with sea water by one or more Venturi eductores type mixer and then through a new system called SECO2 (or CO2 Removal System), whose development is given by the Spanish Bionet, and whose purpose is to dissolve the "bubbles" of CO2 in water to levels of discretion