What are the capabilities and features of the Expeditionary range of submarines?
Endurance
The Expeditionary submarine is a long-range (13,000+ nm), high-endurance vessel, with the accommodation and storage capacity to keep its crew comfortable, fully equipped and operational for longer. The submarine is designed to excel in any water type and temperature around the world without logistical support.
Low signatures are essential for submarine operations and Saab has been a world leader in signature management for decades. Saab’s expertise has minimised all signature emissions, including:
Radiated noise
Target echo strength
Magnetic
Hydrodynamic
Radar
The ability to operate undetected means that the entire ocean is your domain. You can go where you want and do what you want, with nothing to stop you.
Saab submarines have an unmatched ability to remain undetected in any underwater environment where they can make use of high-performance sonars and sensors. Saab’s access to global supply chains allows the use of the world’s best systems.
Saab has access to the most advanced torpedoes, fully integrated long-range strike missiles and launching systems used by other leading maritime powers.
Thanks to the modular design, different numbers of weapon tubes can be mounted depending on the customer’s requirements.
Saab’s international supply chains ensure that only the most reliable and combat-tested weapons and launching platforms are provided as part of the system.
Saab torpedoes
Saab’s torpedoes are based on over 100 years of underwater systems experience. As a result, the best-in-class torpedoes are primed for today and tomorrow’s challenges. Each performs equally well in both shallow and blue water, as well as under cold, warm and brackish conditions.
The Saab lightweight torpedo (SLWT) boasts a full digital homing system, wire-guided and fire-and-forget operation and adapts to various harsh hydroacoustic conditions.
Torpedo 62 is the main heavyweight torpedo used by the Swedish navy. The torpedo has a pump jet propulsion system giving it a maximum speed of over 45 knots. It can also track several targets and classify them at the same time.
9LV Combat Management System (CMS)
Saab’s 9LV offers complete C4I for every type of naval platform, ranging from combat and patrol boats, frigates and large through-deck ships to submarines and vessels for anti-piracy, security and surveillance. Designed to excel in combat, 9LV provides outstanding operational capabilities and supports all mission types.
Stirling air-independent propulsion (AIP)
The Stirling air-independent propulsion system enables Saab submarines to operate underwater for several weeks, without having to surface and reveal their location.
Diesel-electric submarines can remain submerged for a few days before they are required to surface (or break the surface using a snorkel).
The technology is cost-effective in comparison to other air-independent technologies, such as fuel cells and nuclear power, both of which are highly complex and difficult to manage.
Modular design
A modular design means technological breakthroughs can quickly and easily be retrofitted, improving the submarine’s performance with enhanced stealth, navigation, combat, comms and ship control capabilities. Past examples include the HMS Gotland and HMS Upland for Saab’s Gotland-class submarine. More information on these mid-life upgrades can be found further down the page.
Modular mid-life upgrades – for when you want the technologies of tomorrow, yesterday.
Shock resistance
Saab submarines are designed to withstand significant shock loads from underwater explosions, such as mines and depth charges. Shock resistance is a prerequisite for submarines designed to operate in heavily-mined seas, such as the Baltic sea.
Mid-life upgrades
Saab submarines can undergo comprehensive and rapid mid-life upgrades thanks to modularity. This is our evolutionary way of creating a new breed of submarines, by adding new capabilities to already renowned underwater vessels – a century of experience continues to pave the way for our future submarine programme.
The Collins-class submarines
The Expeditionary segment is exemplified by the Collins-class submarine. Between 1993 and 2001, six Collins-class submarines were designed, constructed and delivered to the Australian Navy.
A long-range, multi-mission patrol submarine was required for short- and long-duration operations. Saab’s business area Kockums worked alongside the Australian Submarine Corporation (ASC), providing a technology transfer for design and construction using an advanced modular method. At the time, this was the single largest export deal from Sweden in history.
77.8 m (255 ft) in length, with a beam of 7.8 m (26 ft) and a waterline depth of 7 m (23 ft), the six boats were the largest conventionally powered submarines in the world at the time of their commissioning. The submarines are single-hulled with two deck compartments.