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'{|{{Infobox Ship Begin}} {{Infobox Ship Image |Ship image=[[File:Chinese Type 093 submarine.jpg|300px|Yuan class]] |Ship caption= }} {{Infobox Ship Class Overview |Name= |Builders=[[Wuhan Shipbuilding]], [[Wuhan]] |Operators={{navy|CHN}}{{navy|PAK}} |Class before=[[Type 039 submarine|Type 039 (''Song'' class)]] |Class after=New next-generation SSG (under development)<br />Type 041 Improved Yuan class <ref>http://cnair.top81.cn/han_xia_kilo_song.htm</ref> |Subclasses= |Cost= |Built range= |In service range= |In commission range= |Total ships building=N/A |Total ships planned=N/A |Total ships completed=7 |Total ships cancelled= |Total ships active= |Total ships laid up= |Total ships lost= |Total ships retired= |Total ships preserved= }} {{Infobox Ship Characteristics |Hide header= |Header caption= |Ship class= |Ship type= |Ship tonnage= |Ship displacement= |Ship tons burthen= |Ship length=75 m |Ship beam= |Ship height= |Ship draught= |Ship draft= |Ship depth= |Ship hold depth= |Ship decks= |Ship deck clearance= |Ship ramps= |Ship ice class= |Ship power= |Ship propulsion=Diesel-electric, 1 shaft, AIP (air-independent propulsion) |Ship sail plan= |Ship speed=20+ kts |Ship range= |Ship endurance= |Ship test depth= |Ship boats= |Ship capacity= |Ship troops= |Ship complement= |Ship crew= |Ship time to activate= |Ship sensors= |Ship EW= |Ship armament=6 [[torpedo]] tubes |Ship armour= |Ship armor= |Ship aircraft= |Ship aircraft facilities= |Ship notes= }} |} The ''' Type 041 submarine'''<ref>[http://mil.news.sina.com.cn/p/2007-07-18/0727455216.html]</ref> (NATO code name '''Yuan class''') is a class of diesel-electric submarine in the [[People's Liberation Army Navy]]. This class was first launched at [[Wuhan]] Shipyard and is the successor of the [[Song class submarine|Type 039]]. The improved "A" variant was also launched. ==Design== The Type 041 inherits the tail design of the Type 039 (NATO codename: Song class) with four diving planes and a single large shaft. The teardrop shaped hull and large sail suggest heavy Kilo influence. The teardrop shape also suggests a pressurized double hull design inherited from the Kilo. A pair of foreplanes are positioned in the middle of the sail. The submarine is equipped with indigenously developed cabin-raft (shock absorbers) system that helped to reduce noise level by over 35dB. Additionally, the submarine is covered with rubber anti-sonar protection tiles to reduce the risk of detection. A new improved "A" variant was also launched. ==Weapons== The Type 041 has six 533&nbsp;mm torpedo tubes. These can be used to launch indigenous as well as Russian-made torpedoes. The general designer of the torpedo and missile launching system is Mr. Sun Zhuguo (孙柱国, 1937-). The Type 041 is also believed to be capable of launching YJ-8X (C-80X) series anti-ship missiles. The missile uses inertial + terminal active radar guidance. It carries a 165&nbsp;kg time-delayed semi-armour-piercing high-explosive warhead, with a maximum range of 80~120&nbsp;km and speed of Mach 0.9. The Type 041 is also capable of firing the [[CY-1]] ASW missile under water, but the status of the missile is in question because nothing is heard about its production. The CY-1 ASW missile has a maximum range of 18&nbsp;km (10 [[nautical mile|nm]]), and when using A244 or Mark 46 torpedo as a payload. This class is designed to replace the aging [[Romeo class submarine|Romeo]] and [[Romeo class submarine#Chinese Romeo class submarines and their derivatives|Ming Class]] SSKs that previously formed the backbone of the PLAN conventional submarine force. At least one ship has been commissioned as of 2005 by the PLAN. ==Sensors== China was known to have imported the Thales TSM 2233 ELEDONE / DSUV-22 and Thales TSM 2255 / DUUX-5 from France during the 1980s and early 1990s. It also has access to a wide range of modern Russian sonar systems (MG-519 MOUSE ROAR, MGK-500 SHARK GILL) through its purchase of the [[Kilo class submarine|Kilo]] Class. Comparable systems are expected to be installed for the Type 041. The Type 041 is likely to be fitted with a comparable surface/air search radar similar to the MRK-50 SNOOP TRAY, a commercial navigation radar like a [[Furuno]] unit observed on a number of SONG class and ESM system is comparable to the Type 921-A. ==Propulsion== Contrary to many erroneous claims circulated on the internet by domestic Chinese military enthusiasts, the rumored [[pump-jet]] propulsion system is not used on this submarine, because that system is still under development. According to the official academic journals published in China, compared to the seven-bladed propeller currently used, the prototype of the indigenously-developed [[pump-jet]] can reduce noise level by 7 dB at 6 knots or 10 - 12 dB at 11 knots. But the system still needs further testing, and the current rumor that the pump-jet is planned for later units of this class is highly unlikely. Diesel engines are used for conventional propulsion; this class is the first boat in the Chinese inventory that can achieve full electrical propulsion, which greatly reduces radiation noise. The same all-electric propulsion design is also modified for use on the Chinese navy's [[Type 093 submarine]] and [[Type 094 submarine]]. The general designer of the all-electric propulsion systems used in these boats is Professor Ma Weiming (马伟明) of China's Naval Engineering University. (Ma, born in [[Yangzhong]] in 1960, obtained his Ph.D. from [[Tsinghua University]] in [[1996]].) According to the Chinese newspaper ''[[Science and Technology Daily]]'' (科技日报), this 041 class is equipped with an [[air-independent propulsion]] system developed by the 711th Research Institute of the China Shipbuilding Heavy Industry Group Corp. ([http://www.csic-711.com/index.asp 中国船舶重工集团公司第七一一研究所]), referred as a "specialized engine" in official Chinese sources. The 711th Institute was founded in April 1963, but it was not until more than a decade later, in 1975, that it ventured into the field of [[air-independent propulsion]] systems by establishing an office for a "specialized engine," setting up a team of about a dozen researchers. By June 1996 that team had developed into the "specialized engine engineering research center"; by 2008 there were more than a hundred researchers. In 1998, the first experimental sample was built and a decade later and after a dozen technological breakthroughs, a wide range of matured versions became commercially available and the newest diesel-electric submarine in Chinese navy became the first customer. Although the official Chinese source had not mentioned the exact class of the submarine, it is generally accepted that the class is no other than Type 041 Yuan class, since it is the newest conventional powered submarine in the Chinese navy. The engine is built by Shanghai Qiyao Propulsion Technology Ltd. (上海齐耀动力技术有限公司), a wholly owned subsidiary of the 711th Institute ([http://www.csic-711.com/index.asp 中国船舶重工集团公司第七一一研究所]). However, the Chinese source failed to mention the exact type of [[air-independent propulsion]] system had been installed, but the developer offered a selection ranging from 20&nbsp;kW to 100&nbsp;kW (rate for single unit). Recent rumors stated that the boat utilize a Stirling cycle engine, but this cannot be confirmed. It is also unclear if the incorporation of [[air-independent propulsion]] system has become the standard or just for evaluation purposes. Since the [[air-independent propulsion]] systems onboard western submarines usually rate at 150&nbsp;kW to 300&nbsp;kW, so it is safe to assume that similar systems onboard Chinese submarines would also be consisted of at least two units just like its western counterpart. ==Exports== On July 20th, 2011 it was made public that Pakistan signed a contract for 6 submarines. ==References== {{Reflist}} ==External links== * [http://www.sinodefence.com/navy/sub/yuan.asp SinoDefence - Yuan]<br /> [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/china/yuan.htm Global Security - Yuan] Jane's [http://www.janes.com/defence/news/jni/jni040824_1_n.shtml "New submarine picture presents Chinese puzzle] {{Ship classes of the Chinese Navy}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Type 041 Submarine}} [[Category:Submarine classes]] [[Category:Yuan class submarines| ]] [[Category:2000s ships]] [[ko:041형 잠수함]] [[ja:039A型潜水艦]] [[zh:039A型潜艇]]'