Navy to Evaluate Solar Power for Submarines
This article is part of the April 1st series in the Humor section of our Series Library.
The U.S. Navy has announced that it will evaluate transitioning submarines to using solar panels as their primary power source over the next few decades. “We’re very aware of the need to go green,” said a spokesperson, “and this is a good place to do it,” adding that “the present nuclear sources are effective but does create nuclear waste.” Diesel submarines, which are used for shorter-duration near-shore patrols, will also be outfitted.
The subs will tow a large solar array, even when just below the surface (see figure). The array will contain AI-driven control surface to maintain orientation despite challenging sea conditions. If they have to dive deeper, the array will fold into a streamlined half-cylinder shape that will automatically be stowed on top of the hull, even under combat conditions. The same control surface will add to stability when submerged.
While the large solar array will degrade both surface and submerged performance, the Navy feels the tradeoff is worthwhile. “Climate change is an existential issue, and we are hopeful our enemies will appreciate that we are helping to do our part to mitigate it through the use of renewable energy, even when they are attacking us or we are attacking them.”
Solar Sub Simulation
Simulation and modeling for the new submarines will begin in 2024, with the first of the new “solar subs” expected to launch by 2034. If the program is successful, it will be extended to diesel submarines still used for shorter patrols. However, those subs have very different priorities and requirements for range and maximum dive depth. As an added benefit, the removal of the primary diesel power plant will ensure they’re acoustically quiet.
The first solar-powered sub designs will be attack subs armed with torpedoes. Ballistic-missile subs (“boomers”) and cruise-missile subs will be done in a second design phase, as their structures are more complicated due to the presence of top-side missile-launch tubes.
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About the Author
Bill Schweber
Contributing Editor
Bill Schweber is an electronics engineer who has written three textbooks on electronic communications systems, as well as hundreds of technical articles, opinion columns, and product features. In past roles, he worked as a technical website manager for multiple topic-specific sites for EE Times, as well as both the Executive Editor and Analog Editor at EDN.
At Analog Devices Inc., Bill was in marketing communications (public relations). As a result, he has been on both sides of the technical PR function, presenting company products, stories, and messages to the media and also as the recipient of these.
Prior to the MarCom role at Analog, Bill was associate editor of their respected technical journal and worked in their product marketing and applications engineering groups. Before those roles, he was at Instron Corp., doing hands-on analog- and power-circuit design and systems integration for materials-testing machine controls.
Bill has an MSEE (Univ. of Mass) and BSEE (Columbia Univ.), is a Registered Professional Engineer, and holds an Advanced Class amateur radio license. He has also planned, written, and presented online courses on a variety of engineering topics, including MOSFET basics, ADC selection, and driving LEDs.