Replacing the Subs

[Colin Parkinson]

There are not "requirements" yet. There will be range, weapons and indiscretion rate requirements, as well as crew complement requirements. But likely there never be a tonnage one. Tonnage is not a capability. Might be size constraints/restraints though.

Tonnage equals room for crew, fuel, food, water, weapons and sensors. I don't get to see the real spec of each sub, but there is only so much you can cram into a boat and then be able to live in it for an extended period of time. Without tonnage, you are likely compromising something.

 

[Oldgateboatdriver]

I think what Underway is saying is that we do not start by saying "we want a boat of XYZ tonnage". You start by stating what the boat has to be capable of performing in term of range, time of operation underwater, food storage, weaponry, combat systems, etc. Once you have those, the various bidders develop their plans and come up with a hull that can fit all this in, and that gets you your tonnage.

Depending what you want to put in, a 2000t boat can be just as crammed, or can have more living space than a 3000t one. It's your choice as to what you put in the box.

 

[KevinB]

Tonnage equals room for crew, fuel, food, water, weapons and sensors. I don't get to see the real spec of each sub, but there is only so much you can cram into a boat and then be able to live in it for an extended period of time. Without tonnage, you are likely compromising something.

Tonnage and power also give the potential for ice breaching for surfacing, but as @Oldgateboatdriver points out tonnage isn't a specific characteristic - as if you say needs to do X,Y,Z that will lead you to a basic minimum and industry will attempt to meet those KPP's.