The largest Italian shipbuilding company Fincantieri presented a model of the light submarine S800 at the NAVDEX 2023 exhibition in Abu Dhabi. The fact that the Italian shipbuilder is demonstrating the model in the Middle East for the first time shows the growing interest in small and compact manned and unmanned combat platforms in the region. Such interest has been shown cyclically in the past.
It is reported that the light submarine S800 is designed taking into account all the basic requirements for performing tasks in the coastal environment and at the same time provides comparable characteristics with conventional submarines operating in open waters at a depth of more than 250 m.
The S800 model is designed on the basis of concepts, experience and technologies developed within the framework of the U212 and U212NFS programs, as well as small platforms provided by Fincantieri for working in shallow water. The product is characterized by a compact design, with a total length of 51 m, a diameter of 4.80 m and a total height (including the mast) of 10 m. The displacement in the surface and underwater position is 750 and 850 tons, respectively. The boat has an automated control system with four aft "X" rudders and hydroplanes located in the bow of the hull, which allows the submarine to perform very complex maneuvers and follow the contour of the seabed.
Light submarine S800. Design sketchThe light submarine S800 is equipped with an Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) diesel-electric power plant.
It consists of a turbocharged 12-cylinder V-batt diesel engine, a synchronous generator and an electric motor, as well as two battery packs and two fuel cell modules with a maximum output power of 70 kW each. The power plant transmits torque to a group of propellers with a diameter of 3 m,
According to the manufacturer, the introduction of the AIP installation on small underwater platforms provides "very high underwater autonomy", which is expected to be seven days of patrol. At the same time, the extremely quiet operation of the fuel cell system ensures that the acoustic signature is kept to a minimum.
With an operating depth of 250 m and a maximum underwater speed of more than 15 knots, the range under water on batteries at a speed of 4.5 knots will be 200, and at the same speed, but with the use of AIP – 700 nautical miles. At the same time, with a tube and batteries, the range will be 4,500 nautical miles. The ship's crew includes 18 people and allows you to transport a team of eight special operations forces operators.
Fincantieri is promoting the S800 light submarine with a combat system based on four multifunctional consoles (three for the combat system and one for platform control) and a set of sonar. The latter include passive flanking gas, passive GAS with a cylindrical array, active GAS, active GAS for obstacle avoidance, as well as passive sonar with a cylindrical array for interception.
The LPR S800 model at the Fincantieri exhibition standThe sensor kit also includes an impact periscope, an optoelectronic search mast, communication and navigation radar masts, a set of electronic warfare equipment with a RESM antenna on the periscope, as well as an underwater telephone and a torpedo counteraction system.
The ammunition of the light submarine S800 with five pneumatic torpedo tubes consists of five heavy torpedoes in the launchers and four plus one in the torpedo compartment. This allows you to place a maximum of nine (plus one) weapons. Leonardo Black Shark Advanced (BSA) heavy-weight torpedoes are expected to be the latest.
According to Fincantieri specialists, due to its size and characteristics of the hull, the S800 LPL is the most suitable means to support special forces missions. It provides the ability to exit and receive two underwater vehicles during completely secret operations.
According to the materials of the resource edrmagazine.eu
