Apex Predators: AIP Submarines Explained by Covert Shores (Air Independent Propulsion)

In 2006 a US Navy aircraft carrier, the Ronald Reagan, was sunk by a Swedish submarine during exercises. What made the Swedish submarine so important that the US Navy wanted to ship one to San Diego for testing? The answer, something called "AIP".
Covert Shores style quick guide to Air Independent Propulsion (or Power) submarines. Termed AIP, this technology makes modern submarines more stealthy. See also on my Covert Shores Website www.hisutton.com/World%20surve...

[@suspiciousperson5324]

Your 'free' style of speaking is more akin to a uni lecture and a very easy on the ears.

[@scottstewart5784]

If you didn't mention the lack of a script, we wouldn't have even thought about it. Plus, you know so much about the subjects, your organic presentation is, for me anyway, easier to process because it's conversational.

[@Wolvieonepunch]

speak for your self

[@ralphfeatherstone7813]

It is wonderful to have a factual source of information from a recognized authority on the subject of underwater technology. Thank you. Please keep up the great work.

[@kelinrkp]

Would be even better if we were told what AIP is, not what the letters stand for, but what it is.

[@Tomartyr]

​@@kelinrkp Wikipedia describes several types of AIP but is fairly bare of references, which makes sense as I'd expect everybody to be keeping their own special blend a secret.

[@Brettmlyons]

I feel exactly the same way. A true educator.

[@rushymoto]

@@kelinrkp Clue is in the name. It is propulsion and power without surface air and also not being nuclear powered as that would render it obsolete. And given that the batteries dont last as long as one would like without recharging, that would need surface air.

[@maquettemusic1623]

@@kelinrkp Did you just not watch the video. 6:28

[@DOUGLAS55ish]

When I was on the USS PUFFER SSN 652, we sank the USS KITTY HAWK CV 63 three times during exercises in 1975.

[@grahamstrouse1165]

There are submarines…and there are targets.

[@6507bankston]

I liked the expertise, the calm lack of hype, especially there was no anxious sound track music

[@neues3691]

The German Type212A traversed from Germany to Spain submerged for 14 days straight without surfacing or snorkeling. Given what you said about the need to ventilate the boat, I wonder whether that was just clever wording (as in we didn't snorkel to recharge the batteries) or whether they have a work around.

[@davidmurphy8190]

I can see why the Walter turbine powered submarines appeared to be such a radical leap forward for submarines.

[@sergarlantyrell7847]

They could burn oxygen candles to extend their duration, though it's not exactly a permanent solution. There are only 27 people on board a Type 212 sub too, so there aren't that many to use up the oxygen.

[@paladin0654]

212As carry LOX.

[@SA-xf1eb]

LOX and CO2 scrubbers.

[@RealOlawo]

the 212 doesn't need to ventilate. It has CO2 cleaner and the refresh the air with oxigen from the fuel cell system.

[@theeddorian]

The original "AIP" submarine was the Ictineo II built by a Spanish engineer around the time of the American Civil War. The Ictineo's power system was based on s chemical process that produced oxygen as a by-product providing air for the crew as well. The vessel was also the first double hull dsesign, amazingly built of wood, and capable of powered operation to a depth 90 feet.

[@Thadude701]

I do not remember that sub in submarine school,but there it is.

[@theeddorian]

@@Thadude701 When I first read about the Ictineo II I came to suspect that Jules Verne might have modeled his _Nautilus_ on it. The Ictineo II actually had two propulsion systems - one, air breathing for the surface and a chemical, oxygen emitting power system for submerged activity.

[@hypervious8878]

Wow

[@stupitdog9686]

I think there is a copy of it on shore near the cruise ship harbour in Barcalonia. Can't believe it's not more important!

[@bryantcurtis2665]

My father, Jesse J. Bryant, chief electrician, submarines Atlantic 1946-67(U.S.S. Skipjack etc.) would have liked this channel.

[@Veldtian1]

That jolly gentleman from The Sub Brief sent me, great work Mr Sutton.

[@Corsair8X]

I want to echo Joel’s comments. Thought I knew a fair amount and realize how little I knew. That was very informative.

[@alanfenick1103]

Thank you for explaining AIP pros and cons in an understandable manner!

[@aditj]

Thanks for the explanation on how the modern AIP is used! It makes a lot more sense now.

[@Mute_Nostril_Agony]

Love this content! Keep it coming. Great to have good content like this from such a knowledgeable source. Seen lots of reports on your stuff from Sub Brief. I never knew about the hydrogen peroxide step and the energy density of lithium batteries

[@joeljacobchandy3838]

Knew about AIP but never really understood it till I saw this video so thanks Mr Sutton looking forward to more both on ur website and this channel

[@peterblake4837]

It's Dr Sutton

[@cmonkey63]

A lot of good information here, calmly presented. I'm a submarine nerd, so there. A tip for recording audio, for recording training videos I use a mid-range gaming headset with a boom mic. Not too expensive, and it eliminates the room echo which helps people who have English as a second language. Looking forward to more videos!

[@sailor5026]

Very good. Very organized. Concise. Comprehensive. Thank you.

[@haroldb1856]

In the late 80s, I read about research into Stirling engines for powering submarines. It took a while, but it's fun to see it finally taking off.

[@kimkeam2094]

Very impressive! I had no real concept how AIP worked. I really appreciate the information. Thanks

[@chriscunnane1512]

Your videos are like a great movie: I need to see them a few times and then I'm rewinding to catch what I missed the first time. The fact that You're "winging it" is remarkable. Thanks

[@johnh8615]

The best style and content version of any military hardware videos on utube. Wish we had more of this . Keep it up I’m so sure you will be top of your group.

[@jobybhatt]

Very nicely explained with accuracy.

[@beefgoat80]

I dig your videos. They're informative and not over the top. Really works for me.

[@stihlpancakes661]

When one is as knowledgeable and passionate about their content, such as yourself. Writing a script would take away from your enthusiasm and passion, explaining things you love! Thank you for sharing your passion with us!!

[@YouTubeareCunts]

It's refreshing to have a real person do it & not cold, & often things are said wrong AI .. Thumbs up from me..

[@philkipnis740]

I love your expertise as well as how you present your material. I've learned a lot from you and your biggest fan, Aaron. Please, please keep up your videos, they are very informative

[@udp1073]

I took part in the construction of the first two U212 for the Italian Navy (classe Todaro).. according to what peeps told me those subs are virtually impossible to find when running on fuel cell, they did some testing and they found out they are quieter than nuclear powered subs.. sure, they are smaller and the amount of machinery is reduced, with amount in total noise reduction.. but they really are confident to be able to do their business and sneak away uncaught... thanks for the amazing video

[@wolf310ii]

It not really hard to be quieter than a nuclear sub, a nuclear sub can switch from steam turbine to e-motor, but it cant just turn of the reactor. A U-boat like the Typ 212 can shut off everything

[@elijahrobinson2362]

Battery power has no reactor or pump noise for the cooling circuit. A modern diesel boat is quieter, mechanically speaking, than a nuclear powered vessel…but the type of hull and coating may be noisier for a diesel boat.

[@teeanahera8949]

@@wolf310iiI think you mean turn *off not turn of.

[@grahamstrouse1165]

AIP subs are the kings of the shallows. You don’t want to mess with them in them in the littorals.

[@rath6599]

Hello Mr Sutton, please do keep them coming. There's definitely an audience for this!

[@ElevendyWOT]

Your cut-aways are beautiful by the way. Thank you for adding them in your talks.

[@davidatticus5179]

I really like the ‘unscripted’ nature of your presentations because you retain a fact-filled, cogent, and coherent narrative that does not wander aimlessly and yet retains a conversational tone, very listenable and easily ‘digested’. Please do not slick the channel up with scripting. Its not needed. Your graphics and cutaways are great, and are the only ‘icing’ this rewarding cake of a channel needed to be a satisfying treat at every offering. Bravo sir, well done! I have learned a lot here and it has kindled a renewed interest in a subject i thought i had learned enough about. I am happy to to say that i was mistaken! 👍🏼

[@stefanratkiewicz]

This is Good Stuff . The Jive Turkey brought me here . Hope you don't mind.

[@philsalvatore3902]

Not mentioned are radioisotope power systems. The General Purpose Heat Source module, or GPHS, is the essential building block for the radioisotope generators used by NASA. These modules contain and protect the plutonium-238 (or Pu-238) fuel that gives off heat for producing electricity. The fuel is fabricated into ceramic pellets of plutonium-238 oxide (238PuO2) and encapsulated in a protective casing of iridium, forming a fueled clad. Fueled clads are encased within nested layers of carbon-based material and placed within an aeroshell housing to comprise the complete GPHS module. There are proposals out there to use these as an AIP power source. The GPHS modules would have to be carried outside of the pressure hull where seawater becomes their radiation shield just as seawater was used to shield the reactor on the NR-1 nuclear mini-sub.

Thanks for the comprehensive presentation

[@willemkaret1568]

Very clear explanations and still relevant in 2024. Thank you for this presentation.

[@TheESS1]

H I Sutton is a true legend. Like all your content.

[@alcibiade7705]

Great video! Informative and well done.

[@pushkarranade]

Very well narrated

[@tamasmihaly1]

You are a very good speaker and educator, Mr Sutton. Thank you.

[@JeKramxel]

Very interesting and informative, as expected. Actually learned lots of new things, appreciate it!

[@tylerjohn4607]

I also thought I knew more! Thanks for all the info!

[@welshpete12]

Very informative and interesting , thank you for posting !

[@raybans4980]

Really well done.

[@allborn6782]

Finally somebody who can explain a topic ... Thank you we are NoT engineers... Thank you again

[@964cuplove]

The chapter list you incorporate is really a great feature !!!

[@thlimtherm6702]

Love this stuff man keep it up!

[@mikehoshall6150]

Great info, I really enjoy your coverage of the material

[@iantaylor230]

Enjoyable and informative video. Thanks Mr Sutton.

[@vladshlepchencko9988]

Good review, thanks!

[@Kompressor594]

Thanks for the overview!

[@maxt9657]

Nice video, I love your website as well!

[@ardeladimwit]

he's always interesting

[@justjohn9067]

Great video. Appreciated.

[@hsolorza]

Excellent analysis.

[@vikingskuld]

Just found your channel and I am fairly impressed. Great job on these videos. They information you put in these is great. Thank you. Can't wait to see your other vids.

[@leoncioco3305]

Very interesting topic. Thanks.

[@ritchiewhaitmore455]

Greets from Scandinavia! Nice!

[@TheESS1]

Love the video format by the way!👌

[@006bloody]

Great information, great graphics, easy to understand. Thank you sir

[@skydive1424]

Just subscribed; the amount of technical information in your video’s is both impressive and captivating

[@BrightBlueJim]

Very nice presentation. I hope to see more about uncrewed submarines soon.

[@SeraphimSiN]

I appreciate your videos very much. Thank you.

[@leosam7097]

Greece actually build 3 AIP subs (Type 214) with german AIP like others and troubleshoot and modify/repaired the first one of the class build in kiel. (it had ballast balance problems because of an inadequate pumps) also retrofitted a 209 with the german AIP. (Skaramanga Shipyard at athens) As far as i currently know the shipyard at skaramanga, athens still has the capability for building/service/repair/modify them (209s,212s,214s) but not the management, clients or funds.

[@BK-uf6qr]

Great job!!

[@dennisfox8673]

I’ve watched one video of yours and have subscribed, this was a very good presentation. Speaking as someone who does a fair amount of public speaking, I like your “semi-scripted” approach. Granted it’s how I usually do it, so perhaps I am not fully impartial! Whenever speaking on a topic that you have a solid command of (like you do here) making an outline to organize, and if necessary remind you of your key points, helps keep a relaxed and conversational tone. For instance, I was very engaged the entire and the video felt much shorter than 23 minutes. Of course, everyone is different, and if you would feel more comfortable scripting it all out, I’d say go for it. Cheers!

[@bryanoflynn5938]

Great videos, thank you.

[@danko6582]

Ms Paint?! You have to be the best Ms Paint artist I've seen.

[@jimmythehand4248]

Great stuff!

[@scrapperstacker8629]

Great video!! Lots of good information.

[@herohero-fw1vc]

Thank you very much for making this video. I value your videos & website very much.

[@TheCodbutt]

Good stuff. Your material is very interesting.

[@rooseveltbrentwood9654]

Hi, I wondered over here from Sub Brief. Keep it up, I’m enjoying your content.

[@davidmurphy8190]

Ditto here! Sub Brief and other sources.

[@NotThatBob]

WOW really interesting. Thank you so much.

[@mcukierman]

Very nice information. Then you for sharing your knowledge.

[@nicolaiby1846]

Love your videos man, cheers!

[@Nathan-ng1jt]

Sub Brief brought me here. Thank you for the fascinating content.

[@benhopwood3130]

Great video keep it up!

[@bassmith448bassist5]

Just found you!!! Liked and subbed immediately!!! Keep the content coming

[@georgesmith8113]

Great video! 👍👊😎

[@DevinAWhiting]

very well done ,thank you.

[@southwestnomad7495]

Thanks for making this. A suggestion: Please move the mic closer to your mouth, as when it is not close, the room acoustics quickly muddy your voice, and it becomes necessary for some of us to turn on subtitles. Thanks again.

[@fagerlivegen9]

Thank you for your professionel presentation and awesom graphics. Very good! :-) Greetings from Norway.

[@edjoecdn]

Very much enjoyed the video. Might I suggest some sound dampening on the walls / hard surfaces for that wee echo, and those page turns. Everything else was perfect! Great presentation.

[@jamesduda6017]

Great video

[@mrmabyr]

Very good work sir! I think you are one of the very few wonk/geek influencers that doesn’t require a script. I’m so influenced I’m going to start using MS Paint and get my high end art career going!

[@Big.Ron1]

Very interesting. Thank you.

[@Iamthelolrus]

Thank you for the video. I loved the narco sub vid as well. Any strange or lesser know sub or sub type would be my suggestion but I think I'll watch anything you make.

[@311jbknight]

With all the heat generated around the boats from electronics and atmosphere controls (CO-H2 burners, CO2 scrubbers O2 generators, heaters for ventilation) it would seem putting small sterling engines around the boat would be effecient. The O2 generators currently discharge hydrogen overboard but could be stored in external tanks to use. Lots of possibilities for different AIP on subs. Good video, thanks for making.

[@mhamma6560]

"air" trips some people up -- atmospheric independent power is a better fit.

[@cernsttx]

Loving the content! Keep em' coming. Consider investing in a more quality microphone as well. Will make it easier to listen. Thanks

[@Karl-Benny]

was thinking the same

[@AndreiGrozea]

Good stuff

[@patrickchase5614]

This is the first public "AIP explainers" I've heard that accurately outlines the considerations around using AIP to charge batteries: It's an inefficient way to operate at low speed and therefore not often done, but may be necessary in a pinch if the batteries are depleted and the sub commander recognizes a need to go fast before they have an opportunity to snorkel again. So for example if a sub ran its batteries down while disengaging at high speed after an attack, but wanted to be able to reengage in the future (again at high speed) without first giving its position away by snorkeling, then it might make tactical sense to charge the batteries from AIP in the interim.

[@aidanmorrison5925]

Great work! I’d be keen on even more depth, eg comparing the pros and cons of the different systems. If MESMA isn’t really going anywhere, why not? Also would love to hear more about lithium batteries. Is the density really high enough to dispense with AIP? I thought it was only very substantially higher at higher discharge/recharge rates, where the internal resistance of lead-acid batteries leads to very poor efficiency.

[@RealOlawo]

It is exactly the other way round. The AIP system is not used to power the motor directly. In case of the fuel cell system you need to power the batteri. Specialy because the output of the fuell cell can not be changed. You need to run it on the same output to have full efficency. So you couldn't adjust the power output to the demand of the motor. That is why you use the battteri as a buffer.

[@kl0wnkiller912]

Just a bit of trivia I have read: The peroxide (Walther) power plants were really good but as you said they tended to explode when mixed with seawater. They also had issues with range as they use a lot of Peroxide and the Peroxide was rather corrosive and tended to eat through the tanks (return to the first sentence). The German Type 21 was the most advanced submarine in the world at the end of WW2 and was originally designed to run on Walther engines but the design was converted to diesel electric due to the delays in developing the Walther units. Even so, the Type 21 was so good that for years after the war, foreign powers were going around salvaging scuttled 21s and reconditioning them for use or evaluation. Most immediate post-war submarine designs were based on the Type 21 German design. Had it not been for the delays in developing the Walther units the Type 21 may have entered the war much earlier and that would have been really bad for the Allies. BTW: If China can steal the technology they you can bet they are 'working on it'.

[@wolf310ii]

It would had change almost nothing, they converted the plans for the Typ XVIII to the Typ XXI in less than 3 month and when they start to build the Typ XXI the both Typ XVIII prototyps wherer still not finish, so even without the delay, the serial constuction of the Typ XVIII would have started at around the same time the construction of the Typ XXI started. Also the peroxide should be stored in large rubber bags between the inner and outer hull, so corrosion of the tanks would be a problem.

[@geoffreywallington2930]

Canada's recent Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP) is expected to have an AIP requirement with fisrt 'off-the-shelf" or MOTS submarine to be delivered around 2035.

[@robertscheinost179]

Excellent video on "Sea Monsters" . From a former member of Subron 12 and Subgru 2. Loved it! No way would I want to be on an AIP when the LOX and Hydrogen mix together in an accident. That would make one hell of a hole in the ocean!

[@SonsOfLorgar]

Since the combustion product of H²+O² is water, it wouldn't be as much of a hole as a hump, all be it a very temporary one ;)

[@robertscheinost179]

@@SonsOfLorgar Correct. No way would I want to be aboard. BBOOOOMMMMM!!!

[@camiemengineer]

Very good effort for a non-scripted effort. Also not rattling off ten to the dozen, (fast speech) is a very good and viewer-appreciated choice. You should consider monetising your videos if you want more exposure by KZbin. Just have one advert and KZbin might simply just match it. I think you qualify for monetisation with your viewers count. All the best and good luck .. again good video .. although needs more meat to fully satisfy Engineers!

[@fiftycal1]

Until the advent of Nuclear Power and AIP - true submarines didn’t exist. They were submersibles - they were required to spend a considerable amount of time on the surface charging batteries.

[@lukeingram7655]

Would really enjoy a presentation on the future regarding uncrewed submarines if that is possible, thanks!

[@raditya5663]

More videos please.... likely this chabbel is old but not frequent upload

[@ancienthistorytube1921]

Thank you for this video. Nicely done. One small correction on users: Turkey is a future, not current user. They'll put their 1st boat in the water probably in 2023 or 24. And some trivia: Greece operates 4xType214s and 1 upgraded 209 all with German fuel cells. The 209 was cut in half and the AIP compartment was added. Delivery of the 1st 214 was delayed four years as Greece, the 1st country to order the type, would not accept delivery. The 1st boat demonstrated problems during sea trials. Some of which concerned the AIP. By now all fixed and the type is doing well in export sales.

[@anthonyburke5656]

Informative, researched. I’d like a rational look at the Australian submarine fiasco, going back to thr Oberon class, through the Collins class to the French and Spanish fiasco to the English and US fiasco. Looking at the engineering, politics and corruption allegations.