Air-independent propulsion

Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP), is a term that encompasses technologies which allow a submarine to operate without the need to surface or use a snorkel to access atmospheric oxygen. The term usually excludes the use of nuclear power, and describes augmenting or replacing the diesel-electric propulsion system of non-nuclear vessels.

Fuel cells

Several builders offer fuel-cell auxilary units for submarines. Siemens has developed a 30-50 kilowatt unit, and nine of these are incorporated into Howaldtswerke Deutsche Werft AG's 1,830 ton Type 212 submarine. The enhanced 1700t Type 214 uses two 120 kW modules, also from Siemens http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/type_212/.

Related Topics:
Siemens - Howaldtswerke - Type 212 - Type 214

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