Navantia began testing the AIP system on the submarine S-83 Cosme García

At the Navantii shipyard in Cartagena, another important stage of the S-80-type Spanish submarine program began. Air-independent propulsion system (AIP) tests already installed in the S-83 submarine section Cosme García, the third unit of this series.

First AIP testing on S-83

The tests are conducted at a special IPS3 research station located on the site of the shipyard in Cartagena. It was there that a 12-metre section of the hull weighing nearly 400 tonnes was placed, in which it was built. complete AIP module.

It was possible to start the tests after the assembly work was completed and to check the equipment necessary to carry out them. The current stage is to allow the system to be checked and regulated at the location of its intended construction site, even before this section is merged with the remaining part of the ship's rigid hull.

Bioethanol instead of stored hydrogen

The first stage of the test was to load liquid oxygen and bioethanol. From bioethanol, the system produces hydrogen, which then feeds fuel cells responsible for producing electricity while swimming in immersion.

By Navantii is a third generation AIP system. In contrast to older solutions, BEST does not use hydrogen stored in tanks, but draws it from bioethanol during operation of the installation. This is intended to reduce the storage problems of hydrogen and increase the autonomy of the ship during underwater operation.

In practice, AIP allows electricity to be generated in immersion without having to provide air from outside. As a result, the ship does not have to so often emerge or snort to recharge battery batteries, limiting the risk of detection.

AIP checked before hull integration

The IPS3 position allows to recreate conditions similar to the ship's future work, including dive and movement in the water. This allows you to check the operation of the AIP installation under different load conditions before the section is connected to the rest of the hull.

The scope of the tests includes, inter alia, the generation of electricity by AIP and the cooperation of individual elements of the system. This is intended to facilitate subsequent port tests and to reduce the risk of adjustments made after the hull has been merged.

Important stage of S-80

Start testing on section S-83 Cosme García is another milestone in the S-80 programme. Currently second series ship, S-82 Narciso MonturiolS-83 and S-84 Mateo García de los Reyes are located at various stages of construction in Cartagena shipyards.

The S-80 program includes the construction of four modern submarines for the Spanish Armada Española. Units are to be distinguished by the possibility of long-term action in immersion by using an AIP system using oxygen and bioethanol stored on board.

From the perspective of the submarine construction programme for Spain, start trials AIP system on S-83 Cosme García of particular importance. It means moving from design and integration to practical verification of one of the most important elements of the entire structure. The pace of further work on S-80 ships will depend on the success of these tests.

Spanish offer that Poland did not choose

For Poland it is also an uncomfortable reminder that such a direction was within reach. One can discuss whether the S-80 Plus is a design perfectly suited to the Baltic, but that is not the point today. We are talking about a ship that exists, goes out to sea, undergoes naval trials and has real weapons potential, including the possibility of integrating UGM-109 Tomahawk maneuvering missiles.

Poland may have had such ships, or at least took the offer based on the units built and in service. Instead, she chose a solution that at the time of the decision existed mainly in documents and presentations without giving The Navy of Poland neither the ship nor the capabilities whose importance for future frigate Swordfish and after Russian aggression against Ukraine should be crucial and obvious.