29-04-2021 | 14:47 PM
Air Independent Propulsion
The Defence Research Development Organisation recently achieved a milestone in the development of the Air Independent Propulsion system. The system was operated in endurance mode and max power mode. The operation was successful.
Key Points:
The Air Independent Propulsion System is being developed by the Naval Materials Research Laboratory (NMRL) of DRDO.
Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) has a force multiplier effect on the lethality of a diesel-electric submarine as it enhances the submerged endurance of the boat, several folds.
Fuel cell-based AIP has merits in performance compared to other technologies.
Operation of the land-based prototype engineered to the form-and-fit of a submarine
In a fuel cell AIP, an electrolytic fuel cell releases energy by combining hydrogen and oxygen, with only water as the waste product.
The cells are highly efficient and do not have moving parts, thus ensuring that the submarine has a low acoustic signature.
