Fuel Cell Submarine “U 33”

[2RHPZ]

Fuel Cell Submarine “U 33” Launched at HDW

HDW; Sept.13, 2004

By the name of “U 33”, today Jutta Doenitz christened one of the most modern non-nuclear submarines in the world from Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft AG (HDW) in Kiel. The Class 212 A submarine is intended for service in the German Navy, and is the third of four submarines, which are currently being built at HDW and at the Nordseewerke in Emden. After an extensive period of sea trials, it is expected that “U 33” will enter service on 31 January 2006.

The characteristic feature of the new submarine Class 212, which has been developed by HDW, is an atmospheric air-independent propulsion system based on the hydrogen fuel cell. HDW is thus the first company in the world to produce a production-ready fuel-cell propulsion system. The fuel cell, which produces electricity from hydrogen and oxygen, enables the new class of submarine to cruise submerged for weeks at a time. Conventional diesel-electric submarines have exhausted their batteries after about two days’ submerged cruising. In addition, the fuel cell generates no noise and no exhaust heat. It is thus virtually impossible to fix the submarine’s position.

The further development of position-finding technology and the increasing number of submarine-hunting methods, together with the extended field of deployment, necessitated the development of the new Class A generation of submarines. The extremely favorable signatures, the fuel-cell propulsion system and the position-finding and weapons technology will ensure that the new type of submarines will be successful in every conceivable field of operations. At the same time, the design of the vessel is characterized by a high degree of availability and low maintenance costs.

In the speech he made at the christening, HDW Board member Walter Freitag pointed out that the very early decision to use the fuel cell in submarine construction had laid the foundations for HDW’s technological market leadership.

The development of the fuel cell propulsion system has produced a series of subsequent orders for HDW. Thus, HDW has received orders for seven submarines of the export version Class 214 submarine, of which four vessels are for the Greek Navy and three other vessels for the Korean Navy. The Italian Navy has also followed the example of the German Navy with two Class 212 A submarines, which are being built at Fincantieri. The Portuguese Navy has signed a contract to have three of its Class 209 submarines modernized with a fuel-cell propulsion system. Eventually, the Greek Navy will have 3 of its Class 209 submarines modernized with a fuel cell propulsion system. Thus, the German technology of the atmospheric air-independent submarine propulsion system is meanwhile being used by five Navies.

Thus, the German technology of the atmospheric air-independent submarine propulsion system is meanwhile being used by five Navies.

[perdurabo]

[
By the name of “U 33”, today Jutta Doenitz .
WTF? is this some relative to this Doenitz who was this nazi commander of kriegsmarine in 2ww?

[2RHPZ]

[
By the name of “U 33”, today Jutta Doenitz .
WTF? is this some relative to this Doenitz who was this nazi commander of kriegsmarine in 2ww?

I have no clue ...

[von_Moo142]

Jutta Doenitz is the wife of the mayor of Gotha. Or this is what the slightly funny google translations of the german language pages below say, anyway. It seems the people of Gotha (or at least the council) are sponsoring the crew of U33.


http://www.gotha.de/asp/presse/detail.asp?nummer=946&back=ja

http://www.salzgitter-aktuell.de/dynasite.cfm?dssid=3194&dsmid=30590&dspaid=215142


Edited for clairity and stuff

[bluered12]

As far as I know the commander of the "Kriegsmarine" was writen Karl Dönitz, not Doenitz.

[Freibier]

[
By the name of “U 33”, today Jutta Doenitz .
WTF? is this some relative to this Doenitz who was this nazi commander of kriegsmarine in 2ww?
Even if she is,
so what ?

[2RHPZ]

[
By the name of “U 33”, today Jutta Doenitz .
WTF? is this some relative to this Doenitz who was this nazi commander of kriegsmarine in 2ww?
Even if she is,
so what ?

I expected such a question soon ... let´s go flames ... or rather not guys p-)

[Flagg]

hmmmmmm.....I NEVER would have expected the Germans of all people to go and build an uber-U-Boat :P

If air independant propulsion is the new new thing...I wonder if the US will begin to consider non-nuclear attack subs in the future?

[Wodan]

Not only Germany has this boats, so has Israel, and so has Norway(all bought them by the german company), by the way, this submarine class is able to launch nuclear rockets out of them, from under the sea.

[RS_Leo1A5]

this submarine class is able to launch nuclear rockets out of them, from under the sea.
Are you sure about that?
Last time I read something about its armament the article spoke of a total of eight torpedoes.
Where should "nuclear rockets" fit into that boat?

[Wodan]

this submarine class is able to launch nuclear rockets out of them, from under the sea.
Are you sure about that?
Last time I read something about its armament the article spoke of a total of eight torpedoes.
Where should "nuclear rockets" fit into that boat?

I only know, it is able to have them, and the israeli version does use this function...

[Harlequin]

Not only Germany has this boats, so has Israel, and so has Norway(all bought them by the german company), by the way, this submarine class is able to launch nuclear rockets out of them, from under the sea.

Israel does not have either the 212 or the 214- Class but the Dolphin class. Neither 212 nor 214 can launch nuclear missiles with a decent range since they have standart 533mm torpedo tubes while the israelis have specially designed/requested 650mm tubes enabling them to fire their sub- launched missiles.

[Kitsune]

Exactly. The German U-boats are not designed for the deployment of nuclear missiles (Germany has none). But the Israelis are interested in a weaponsystem that enables them to launch a nuclear restribution strike (they are understandably afraid that the tiny state of Israel could be eradicated by an nuclear surprise attack), and these Submarines are very good for the job: Small, nearly undetectyble, with the ability to stay submerged for weeks. Cheaper than nuclear powered submarines, too. Equipped with Israeli Cruise Missiles, they could be an effective method of determent. (Only in the case the Israeli really should have nuclear warheads, this all is purely hypothetical of course. ;) )

[gbos]

As far as I know currently they are capable of firing torpedoes and the sub version of Harpoon missile. I heard also that there is a request to be able to fire the future naval version of the Scalp missile (with a nominal range of 250 km and a true one maybe far greater) but i am not sure if it is possible to fit.

[Wodan]

Exactly. The German U-boats are not designed for the deployment of nuclear missiles (Germany has none).

wrong, germany has a-bomb tornado bomber staffs



But the Israelis are interested in a weaponsystem that enables them to launch a nuclear restribution strike (they are understandably afraid that the tiny state of Israel could be eradicated by an nuclear surprise attack), and these Submarines are very good for the job: Small, nearly undetectyble, with the ability to stay submerged for weeks. Cheaper than nuclear powered submarines, too. Equipped with Israeli Cruise Missiles, they could be an effective method of determent. (Only in the case the Israeli really should have nuclear warheads, this all is purely hypothetical of course. ;) )

right, same I heared and it seem to be logically

[RS_Leo1A5]

wrong, germany has a-bomb tornado bomber staffs
But no nuclear weapons!

As a very last desperate measure in a total war with the Warsaw Pact German aircraft would have carried American nuclear bombs.

[Wodan]

wrong, germany has a-bomb tornado bomber staffs
But no nuclear weapons!

As a very last desperate measure in a total war with the Warsaw Pact German aircraft would have carried American nuclear bombs.

but now they are in german army camps, in control of germany...

[RS_Leo1A5]

but now they are in german army camps, in control of germany...
Your sources?

[Shadow]

but now they are in german army camps, in control of germany...
Your sources?


Orginal von http://saar-echo.de/news.php?news_ID=11849Nacht-Wache gegen Atomwaffen in der Eifel: Am Hiroshima-Gedenktag, dem 6. August, wollen Kriegsgegner am Haupttor des Fliegerhorsts Büchel in der Eifel demonstrieren. Der Initiativkreis gegen Atomwaffen und Rover des Pfadfinder-Stammes St. Rochus in Wittlich laden zur Mahnwache ein. Ab 20.00 Uhr wollen sie der Opfer der Atombomben von Hiroshima und Nagasaki gedenken und dagegen protestieren, daß in Büchel ein Jagdbombergeschwader der Bundeswehr den Einsatz von Atomwaffen übt. Mit Kurzvorträgen, Meditation, Liedern und Gedankenaustausch verbringen sie die Nacht am Eingang des Fliegerhorstes, der von der Autobahn A 48 bei Ulmen aus beschildert ist. Nach Aussage der Demonstranten lagern vermutlich elf Atombomben vom Typ B-61 unter US-Aufsicht auf dem Eifel-Gelände der Bundeswehr. Jede hat die etwa 15-fache Sprengkraft der Atombombe, die am 6. August 1945 in Hiroshima für 240000 Menschen den Tod brachte. Deutsche Piloten üben mit Tornado-Kampfflugzeugen den Abwurf dieser Massenvernichtungswaffen. Weitere Informationen zur Mahnwache gibt Organisator Joachim Willmann auf Anfrage unter 06571-3954 oder jowillmann@aol.com. Ebenso informiert Thomas Pesch auf Anfrage unter 06571-6833 oder Thompe.wil@t-online.de.


http://www.gaaa.org/kernwaffen_buechel.htm
Kernwaffen in Büchel:
Deutschland greift nach der Atombombe
Der interessanteste Stationierungsort ist sicherlich Büchel in der Eifel. Hier befindet sich ein amerikanisches Kernwaffenlager in einem deutschen Fliegerhorst. US-Atombomben an Bord deutscher Flugzeuge: Die Bundesrepublik wird heimlich zur Atommacht.

Die Sprengköpfe in Büchel sind alle vom Typ B-61. Von diesem Typ gibt es jedoch drei Versionen unterschiedlicher Stärke (Modell 3, 4 und 10). Die Sprengkraft einer einzelnen Bombe reicht dabei von weniger als einer Kilotonne TNT bis hin zu 175 Kilotonnen.

Offizielle Angaben über die in Büchel gelagerte Version gibt es nicht. Doch in der Bundesrepublik stehen zusammen zwischen 114 und 131 Atomwaffen. Ihre gesamte Sprengkraft wird mit 26,5 Megatonnen angegeben. Demnach ist in Deutschland überhaupt nur die Version mit der größten Sprengkraft stationiert.

Allein in Büchel lagert also die 200-fache Sprengkraft der Bombe von Hiroshima

[RS_Leo1A5]

Interesting.

But these quotes talk of American bombs under American supervision.

I had previously heard stories about American bombs used by German aircraft for training. But those stories also spoke of American personnel guarding and maintaining these bombs, armed escorts bringing the bombs from storage to the aircrafts and back.

So the only time these bombs were not under direct American control was while in the air, attached to a German Tornado.

[Shadow]

Interesting.

But these quotes talk of American bombs under American supervision.

I had previously heard stories about American bombs used by German aircraft for training. But those stories also spoke of American personnel guarding and maintaining these bombs, armed escorts bringing the bombs from storage to the aircrafts and back.

So the only time these bombs were not under direct American control was while in the air, attached to a German Tornado.

When you search google a lil bit you also find several articel that they aren't anymore under US Supervision.