AIP module for conventional submarines

POWER GENERATION & PROPULSION SYSTEMS

Mission
Battery charging has always been a key issue for conventional submarines (SSKs) and has led to the development of Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) systems to extend ships submerged endurance. DCNS developed the Mesma AIP to provide modern navies with enhanced submarine operational capability. Mesma is a constant output electric generator supplying propulsion, DC network and batteries. It relies on the well-known steam-cycle principle used in nuclear plants (mastered by DCNS in submarines and aircraft carriers for over fifty years) and selection of sea-proven mature technology. Mesma guarantees submarines safety and discretion. It achieves the best AIP operational performance available today on the market. Its reliability and low maintenance requirements are well proven.

Mature technology Sea proven Silent in operation High reliability Plug-in section Lowest possible life-cycle cost

key points
High-level performance

key points
DCNS has selected proven technologies featuring high Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) for its AIP systems, limiting customer risks. Mesma is based on the well-known steam-cycle principle. DCNS has more than a centurys experience in this field and has been manufacturing steam systems for submarines for more than fifty years.

The Mesma AIP system extends submerged endurance reliably and safely, its only limit being the liquid oxygen tanks capacity: a Mesma equipped Scorpene SSK would remain undetectable for more than three weeks, for instance.

Mature technology

Mesmas reliability figures confirm the wise selection of such mature technology. This provides vessel and crew with optimum safety comparable to that of on-board nuclear power plants. Mesma includes maximum operational flexibility to cope with all submarine warfare conditions.

All Mesma equipment is doubleelastic suspended for utmost silence in operation. It is shock-resistant and compliant with submarine warfare environment.

Without AIP

With Mesma AIP: on&off running

Submarine operational range.

Mesma architecture

Plug-in section

Submerged endurance

>3weeks

Civilian consumables Plug-in section

Within a sole hull section, Mesma encompasses: a tight liquid oxygen compartment without any electrical equipment, cables or lubricants, a steam module (combustion chamber, steam generator, steam turbine, condenser), a control system (fully integrated within the vessel management system and remotely operated from the control room).

The Mesma weight-balanced plug-in section is designed and manufactured to avoid modifying submarine equilibrium. It does not have an impact on living quarters nor affect vessel signature or stealth. No additional manning is required to operate it. After comprehensive onshore validation, a Mesma section can be incorporated to new submarines, or during submarine upgrades without modifying the rest of the vessel.

Gaseous CO2

FUEL TANK COMBUSTION CHAMBER

Recycling

Water

DIRECT EXHAUST

STEAM GENERATOR

REHEATER

OXYGEN TANK
Cryogenic Pump

Electrical network

ALTERNATOR

TURBINE

CONDENSOR Sea water

Battery electric power

Batteries available power Pursuit Engagement Patrol Patrol Turn-away Evasive action

Transit

Fuel Oxygen Combustion gases

Sea water Electricity Secondary circuit

100%

70% 60%
Mesma On Mesma Off Mesma On

20%

medium speed

low speed

low speed

high high speed speed

medium speed
Speed achieved t

characteristics
Life time Output power Submerged endurance Maximum operating depth > 35 years 200kW > 3 weeks > 350m

Mesmas low maintenance requirements are similar to those of any steam machine. Consequently, Mesmas maintenance is performed during the normal submarines scheduled maintenance without affecting operational availability. Mesma is designed and manufactured to last for the ships lifetime and uses affordable civilian fuels, which are available all over the world.

Low life-cycle cost

This makes Mesmas life-cycle cost the lowest of AIP systems.

3 manufactured Mesmas
Pakistans Navy was the rst navy to order an AIP-equipped submarine from a foreign supplier in 1995. After successful factory acceptance tests in France in 2002, the Mesma section was tested at sea and commissioned in 2008 further to integration on board Hamza submarine in Pakistan. The trials, including long-lasting endurance tests, demonstrated that the contractual performances level signed in the 1994 contract had been reached. The second system was delivered in 2012 and the third is due in 2013. Today, PNS Hamza is the rst AIP submarine in the Indian Ocean, only to precede two other ones.

DCNS 40-42, rue du Docteur Finlay F-75732 Paris Cedex 15 www.dcnsgroup.com

Corporate communications October2012 Non contractual document Production: Euro RSCG C&O Photo credits: DCNS, French Navy, by the courtesy of the Pakistan Navy and by the courtesy of the Chilean Navy, ECPAD. Printed on 100% recycled paper Oxygen Pure Silk, FSC certied.