Quietest Submarine In The World
Summary
Conventional submarines use diesel generators to charge banks of batteries. But running on these alone uses up their power in a matter of days. To recharge, the submarine has to snorkel near the surface, where the generator’s heat and noise can easily be detected. In Germany’s latest submarine design, the diesel generator have been suspended from plastic mounts, to reduce the vibrations to the ship’s hull – although the noise is still quite loud inside the sub, and the heat signature that makes the sub easily identifiable in the water. Hydrogen-oxygen fuel cells give the U-212 its unique stealth capability. There’s no heat, there’s no sound, and the only byproduct is water. Nine fuel cells combine oxygen and hydrogen stored in tanks on the outside of the sub’s body, producing enough energy to run the massive motor for weeks, or recharge the ship’s batteries.
Keywords: submarine, stealth weapon, Uboat, Germany, U-212
