Originally Posted by
Frostchamber
I think I'm right in saying that a nuclear powered submarine can maintain high speeds (typically around 30kt) for pretty much indefinite periods. And they only need to surface when they run out of provisions for the crew. Given Australia's geography, that's not an insignificant consideration...
Whether nuclear powered or otherwise, zooming around at anything approaching 30 knots would be "noisy as a rock band underwater" as was once the jab at the Collins class. Need to compare options balancing all the pros and cons.
Few weeks ago, came across a news article indicating renewed USN consideration of conventional submarines for littoral operations. Wasn't sure if it was fake news as posted on an obscure site. If reliable, what does that say?
Update: The recent 'news' items on proposed USN diesel subs seem to be speculative, perhaps by their authors. But the idea isn't new. This opinion piece is from around a year ago: https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/us-navy-needs-diesel-submarines-now-212112