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Main characteristics

Weapons

The S-80 carries different weapons so it can carry out the missions for which it was designed, such as anti-surface warfare with long-range sub-harpoon missiles, anti-submarine warfare with DM2A4 heavyweight torpedoes or land attack (in this case it is prepared to carry Tomahawk missiles). The equipment for handling and launching weapons consists of stowage space for 12 long weapons and 6 torpedo launch tubes with positive discharge.

Apart from the weapons selected for the S-80 by the Spanish Navy, the submarine can also incorporate other weapons to cater for the needs of each particular client.

The sensors and weapons installed in the S-80 enable it to carry out operations in shallow waters; special missions and the discrete evacuation of civilians; compile intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance data; sequential mining in strategic zones and deterrent missions.

Diesel

Three 1,200 kW diesel generating sets to supply the main motor with electricity (on the surface and snorkelling), recharge the batteries (snorkel) and fulfil the auxiliary consumption requirements, all with a low indiscretion ratio.

Masts

1.Induction mast (snorkel)
2.Radar mast
3.Attack periscope
4.Multifunction mast
5.ESM mast
6.Optronic mast
7.SHF mast
8.HF antenna

AIP

Auxiliaries

Command and control

It is the vessel’s brain, and any part of the submarine and its systems can be controlled from its consoles: The integrated communication control system, the integrated platform control system and the integrated combat system core.

In Spain, Navantia is the leader in naval system integration and development and has first-class level facilities for integrating and testing the S-80 systems ashore, in its Land Based Training Site (LBTS). It has also developed two advanced simulators, based on real software, for crew training: the SIMTAC for the combat system, and the SIMPLA for governing the platform.

Accommodation

Sonars

S-80 passive sonar is based on the towed array sonar (TAS), the flank array sonar (FAS + PRS), the cylindrical sonar (CAS) and the acoustic intercept sensor (AIS). The submarine also includes a Mine & Obstacle Detector System (MODS).

Propulsion engine

The S-80 is equipped with one main electric motor (3,500 kW) consisting of two independent semi-motors (the rest of the submarine’s propulsion system comprises three diesel generator engines, two battery compartments and the AIP).

Battery compartments

The submarine is equipped with two battery compartments each with 180 cells (while the AIP system is active, the S-80 does not need to rise to snorkel level to recharge the batteries).

S-80, a latest generation´s submarine

State-of-the-art conventional ocean-going submarine designed and built entirely in Spain. One of its outstanding features is its third-generation air-independent propulsion system (AIP) known as BEST (Bio-Ethanol Stealth Technology), which consists of a bioethanol reformer to produce hydrogen, which in turn reacts with oxygen in a fuel cell generating electricity. This system enables the vessel to extend its endurance, operating independently under water for up to three weeks, which considerably reduces its level of detectability.

It is a highly automated submarine that thanks to the state-of-the-art platform control system developed by Navantia Sistemas, allows it to be operated by a limited number of crew members (32 sailors and 8 berths for additionally embarked personnel), which can reach an underwater speed of more than 19 knots, and a maximum depth capacity of over 300 m. It is approximately 80 m long, 7 m in diameter, has a submerged displacement of 3,000 tonnes.

It also features a combat system developed by Navantia Sistemas in collaboration with the US firm Lockheed Martin, with capacity, unique (for NATO and EU) amongst conventional submarines of similar characteristics, to launch land attack tactical missiles.

S-80 in the press