Muqatal Nabil-class submarine
| File:Mnsub2.jpg Riysian Muqatal Nabil-class submarines off the coast of Aquitayne.
| |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Muqatal Nabil-class submarine |
| Builders: |
 Riysa |
| Operators: |
Riysa |
| Cost: | £L 120 million |
| Built: | 1996-present |
| In service: | 1996-present |
| In commission: | 1996-present |
| Planned: | 185 |
| Building: | 15 |
| Completed: | 80 |
| Active: | 80 |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement: |
list error: <br /> list (help) 1,350 tons surfaced 2,050 tons submerged |
| Length: | 61.8 m |
| Beam: | 5.8 m |
| Draught: | 4 m |
| Propulsion: |
list error: <br /> list (help) 2 Riyadi RMDK-1B Doshka diesel generators 1 RMDK-1 Doshka electric motor |
| Speed: |
list error: <br /> list (help) Maximum 12 knots surfaced 20 knots submerged |
| Endurance: | 45 days |
| Test depth: | 400 meters (530 meters design) |
| Complement: | 21 |
| Sensors and processing systems: |
list error: <br /> list (help) Sanad electronic support measures array |
| Armament: |
list error: <br /> list (help) 8 533 mm torpedo tubes with 16 torpedoes or tube-launched cruise missiles Up to 30 externally mounted naval mines |
The Muqatal Nabil (Arabic: مقاتل نبيلء English: Noble Fighter) is a class of diesel-electric hunter-killer submarines built by Riysa, and designed alongside the Massa Zarqa-class submarines, sharing some of the same electronics and hardware. It is designed with a focus on offensive anti-submarine warfare, particularly to counter nuclear attack submarines in hostile waters.
History
Description
Construction
The Muqatal Nabil-class submarines are constructed like a typical Riysian submarine, with a double hull design for reinforced strength and maximum depth. Both hulls are constructed of non-magnetic steel - unlike in the Massa Zarqa submarines - to reduce the submarine's magnetic signature, and are also covered with anechoic tiles, making them difficult to detect. The difference in hull design, size, and materials compared to the Massa Zarqa class also allow the Muqatal Nabil submarines to dive deeper by an additional 100 meters.
Size-wise, the Muqatal Nabil submarines are significantly smaller than the Massa Zarqa-class submarines, being comparable in size to most diesel-electric submarines, and carry a smaller crew. Thanks in partially to their smaller size, the Riysian Navy regards them as being the quietest out of all of the Riysian submarines in current service, and have correspondingly noted their service as being one of "strategic importance." The latest naval plan called for up to 185 to be acquired, with possibly more at a future date, making them the second-most numerous marine vessel class in Riysian Navy service.
Like other Riysian submarines, they have two bridges - one open-air bridge on top of the sail, and one enclosed bridge inside the conning tower.
Engine/Propulsion
Like the Massa Zarqa submarines, the Muqatal Nabil submarine relies on the Riyadi RMDK-1 package for propulsion, with two RMDK-1B diesel generators and one RMDK-1 electric motor. The RMDK-1B generators are smaller and downrated compared to the standard RMDK-1 diesel generator, however, due to the size constraints of the smaller submarine. While slightly slower than the Massa Zarqa submarines, the Muqatal Nabil submarines are still capable of significantly fast speeds, rivaling other diesel-electric submarines. The RMDK-1B generators are powered by 120 tonnes of diesel fuel, which while surfaced or snorkeling is capable of driving it to speeds of 12 knots. The running of the diesel engines also charges the batteries of the electric motor, which underwater can propel it at speeds of up to 20 knots.
The engines drive a single pump-jet assembly for propulsion; the Muqatal Nabil class is the first Riysian submarine class designed with pump-jet propulsion, though the Massa Zarqa class of submarines are the first one produced with a pump-jet. A pump-jet was selected instead of a standard propeller due to the increased speed and reduced noise provided by the configuration, which was deemed worth the disadvantages provided by the nontraditional assembly.
Fuel consumption has been stated to be as follows:
| Speed | Consumption (Diesel engines) | Hours of fuel (Diesel engines) | Range (Diesel engines) | Consumption (Electric motor) | Hours of fuel (Electric motor) | Range (Electric motor) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 knots | 2.39 kg/min | 837 hours | 7,751 kilometers | 1 charge unit/minute (arbitrary unit) | 100 hours | 926 kilometers |
| 7 knots | 2.66 kg/min | 752 hours | 9,746 kilometers | 4 charge units/minute | 25 hours | 324 kilometers |
| 12 knots | 5.06 kg/min | 395 hours | 8,777 kilometers | 25 charge units/minute | 4 hours | 88.9 kilometers |
| 20 knots | N/A | N/A | N/A | 68 charge units/minute | 1.47 hours | 54.45 kilometers |
Electronics and Sensors
The primary sonar system of the Massa Zarqa submarines is the Ghouta-J acoustics system, a derivative of the Ghouta-A found on the Massa Zarqa-class submarines intended for ASW-focused submarines. The components of the Ghouta-A system consists of the:
- Ghouta-AA spherical bow hull sonar array
- Ghouta-AJ passive flank hull arrays
- Ghouta-AG mine detection and obstacle avoidance sonar
- Ghouta-AK acoustic intercept and torpedo warning hydrophone array
- Ghouta-AT towed passive array
The Ghouta-AA is a standard active/passive sonar system, while the -AJ flank arrays are passive-only, and the -AG is active-only. The -AA can detect targets up to 70 kilometers away in its active mode under ideal conditions, while the -AJ can ideally listen out to 48 kilometers. The -AG and -AK can work out to distances of 1 kilometer and 20 kilometers, respectively.
The major difference between the Ghouta-J and the Ghouta-A is the inclusion of the Ghouta-AT towed array. With an ideal range of up to 70 kilometers, the inclusion of the towed array significantly increases its effectiveness during anti-submarine operations, making it able to compete with nuclear submarines many times its displacement.
Supporting the submarine's acoustics systems is the S-band RB-60 Furat radar, providing the submarine - when surfaced - with air and surface search and detection capability, up to a maximum range of 60 kilometers.
Armament
The primary armament carried by the Muqatal Nabil submarines are the eight bow 533 mm torpedo tubes, with 16 torpedoes, tube-launched mines, or tube-launched cruise missiles. The armament loadout is flexible, allowing a submarine to carry a mix of anti-surface and anti-submarine weaponry depending on its mission.
This class of submarine can also take part in mine-laying operations, with the fitting of external racks. Up to 30 mines can be carried this way.
For defense against aircraft, a single launcher for a MANPADS can be mounted on top of the conning tower.
Boats
To date, 80 submarines of this class have been built, with a total of 185 planned for the Riysian Navy. That number might increase as export orders are being taken.
Starting in 2014, Muqatal Nabil submarines are being converted to take a twin Sterling engine AIP system, just like in the Massa Zarqa-class submarines. This increases the underwater endurance under battery by three times, and each refit is said to cost around 100 million lira. Some of the later subs being produced for the Riysian Navy are thought to have it already included.