China appears to be close to one of the greatest technological breakthroughs in military history: the supersonic submarine. I know that that sounds ridiculous but it is possible. As a military buff, I had to share the story. The submarine is based on “supercavitation” technology that was used earlier on torpedo technology but the Chinese have reportedly used to envelop an entire submarine that could theoretically allow it to cover the distance between Shanghai to San Francisco in less than two hours. If that (likely hyperbolic claim) is attainable, it would constitute less time than it sometimes takes to just get through the security line at Dulles International airport (of course some international flights seem shorter than TSA lines these days). It is not clear what the submarine would look like (this is a conventional nuclear Chinese submarine).
The new submarine is being developed at the Harbin Institute of Technology’s Complex Flow and Heat Transfer Lab. It uses the concept of an air “bubble” that reduces resistance for the sub. The technology has worked with torpedoes. Supercavitation technology was used on a torpedo called Shakval by the Russians that was able to reach a speed of over 370km. The problem has been the rudder within such a bubble (and the corresponding limits on steering) as well as other challenges.
The new sub would constantly have to “shower” a special liquid membrane on its own surface to achieve the level of supercavitation. The question is whether such technology could be made practical for deployment even in small numbers. I would also have environmental concerns (that generally do not concern the Chinese government) over these liquids released into the oceans as well as the obvious danger to sea life with a submarine moving at such a high speed under water.
China’s close ally, North Korea, in the meantime appears to be working on subcavitation technology.
John, I have gotten to know a lot of Navy people, active and retired. So many Navy and Marines who spent time in San Diego while on active duty return to that great city. It is a city that TRULY honors the military. And, it’s the military that keeps San Diego from becoming the freak show that is LA and SF.
Yes Nick, that was where I did most of my training and instructor duty.
I am not surprised that the Chinese claim that they are close to this technological feat, but I doubt it will be feasible. How will this shower of liquid actually adhere to the ship without getting diluted by the sea water? Way too much math involved for me!
Darren, You just taught me something new today. Thanks. Now I can start drinking hard liquor.
Maybe the CIA can thwart the submarine by pulling a preemptive Project Eldest Son type of attack: This time substituting the crew’s meals with Chinese made pet food.
I think cold fusion has reared its head in another form.
John Oliver, I spend Winters in San Diego and drive by the ASW base every time I make an airport run. With the horrible Wi, Winter last year we had many visitors, so many runs!
“This reads to me as a pretty bogus story… two hours would require speeds in excess of 3,000 miles per hour”
I think I have to agree that ‘supersonic speed’ does not easily translate to speeds of 3,000 miles per hour in water.
But still, that leaves the possibility of a submarine capable of speeds much faster than any conventional sub.
The question is whether there is any military utility in such a sub. Supersonic torpedoes might have real military advantage despite their noise signature.
But stealth is a key advantage for submarines and one wonders if speed could possibly make up the difference for broadcasting their approach and location.
I did ASW in the Navy and I would be more concerned about the technology being used tactically as an anti-ship weapon.
China usually waits for the US to do the R/D and trial tests. Then steals the plans and builds a copy. More cost effective that way.
Hilarious, Nick.
There’s a good reason why airliners fly at 35,000 feet. The air is thin enough, reducing drag to the point that air travel is economically possible. You fly an airliner at sea level, full tilt, its range is a small fraction of what it’s at cruising altitude. It’s like trying to fly a lead sled.
You’ve got the same problem with a submarine, only the so-called bubble is not thin air but super-pressurized air. Now you’re trying to fly multiple lead sleds, all in one. Not only that, even a nuclear powered submarine can’t generate enough power to displace that much water from China to California? A nuclear bomb could do it, but not a nuclear generator.
I think the Chinese military industrial complex has hoodwinked a few Chinese military officials.
Supercavitationexpialidocious
Rendering the oceans lifeless… one technology at a time…
Paul, Remember the Thresher!
This reads to me as a pretty bogus story. China to San Francisco in under two hours would require speeds in excess of 3,000 miles per hour, which is about mach 4 at sea level – faster than most fighter jets can travel at full afterburner, let alone at cruising speed for extended periods.
As well, the fastest reported speeds for a supercavitating torpedo I could find in ten or so minutes travels at about 250 mph, and for presumably for much shorter than transatlantic trips.
My science training isn’t quite in fluid dynamics, but I’d also presume there would be a lot of problems with the hypothetical supersonic shock front pretty quickly damaging the submarine itself, causing hull ruptures, but the exact nature of that is a bit outside my wheelhouse (pun not intended, but appreciated).
Sorry to burst your bubble (pun definitely intended that time), but this seems like another case of an overzealous journalist getting a little bit to hyperbolic with some scientist’s suppositions.
Assuming they can successfully accomplish this, I see lots of potential hazards. The Chinese are not known for their quality control in their own factories, which is the first hazard they have to worry about.
Sea life would be the biggest threat. I can’t imagine a sub hitting a whale at extremely high rates of speed would be good for either the whale or the sub.
Hunt for Red October?
Interesting piece. I’m also thinking the ocean will be littered w/ dolphin and whale carcasses. We need to get Greenpeace on this.
Three issues: (1) Supercavitation is going to make a lot of undersea noise, so a fast sub will be easy to track, and if it can be tracked, it can be destroyed. (2) The conn tower and rudder will be problems to operation (note the torpedoes have neither of these). (3) Going hyper fast requires more sonar for navigation and object avoidance, sonar is trackable.