Stands for "Air Independent Propulsion", pioneered by the Germans in WW II, persued by the Soviets post-war. It is a cover phrase for a number of technologies that permit some, if not total propulsion for subs to derive from non-nuclear means and not require air to do it. Currently, the Germans market the technology in their Type 212 and 214 subs and it has been reported that an indigenous Chinese design powers the current Yuan-class fast attack sub, a model of which I have in work and will provide pix for soon as it is finished. Hope your server problems are resolved by then! IPMS Nats in Orlando in 2012! Woohoo!!
D'Oah - I KNEW that!
Posted by Matty on August 9, 2010, 9:09:19, in reply to "AIP"
The Walther oil (fuel) and hydrogen peroxide (oxidizer), under development by the Nazis for (IIRC) the Type XXVII u-boat, as well as Soviet experimentation during- and just before WWII, being the earliest examples.
"AIP" is an interesting term, as it does not appear to include electric batteries nor nuclear power - both clearly also "air-independent" systems - but seems instead to be getting at combustion-engine systems in which both fuel and the oxidizer for it are (more or less) efficiently carried onboard. To that extent, I read about (at least) one very early sub - perhaps by Simon Lake (IIRC), or one of his ilk - which aspirated a gasoline engine with straight, compressed air. The endurance, of course, was pathetic. Seems also like today, liquid-fuel rocket engines - burning hydrazine and liquid oxygen - should work equally well underwater, but are no doubt much more dangerous for any sustained operations.
Again, Gus, my ISP problem is fixed, so send any more pics (and gimme some more writeup to go with 'em) anytime, buddy.
And that's great news indeed, about Orlando in 2012 - two years: just about enough time, with any luck, for Matt Stein Models to get back on track with some new releases!
Cheers,
-Matty
Re: AIP
Posted by Don Murphy on August 8, 2010, 20:03:41, in reply to "AIP"
Good luck to the Chicoms; it took Germany and Sweden years to perfect it.