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.

Nuclear power

See Nuclear marine propulsion. Nuclear reactors have been used for 50 years to power submarines, the first being USS Nautilus. Three countries, the United States, France and the United Kingdom only operate nuclear powered submarines. However Air Independent Propulsion is a term normally used in the context of improving the performance of conventionally propelled submarines.

Related Topics:
Nuclear marine propulsion - USS ''Nautilus''

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There have nevertheless been suggestions for a reactor as an auxilary power supply, which does fall into the normal definition of AIP. For example, there has been a proposal to use a small 200 kilowatt reactor as an auxilary power source (styled a "nuclear battery") to improve the under-ice capability of Canadian submarines.

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