Type 039B, Improved Yuan Class Diesel Electric Submarine??

[xinhui]

The Chinese BBS/forums are buzzing with the latest submarine launch -- it could be the first of a new class.

Here is Hui Tong's update.
Chinese Navy

The latest news indicated the first boat of a further improved design (Type 039B?) was just launched at Wuhan Shipyard on September 9, 2010. This improved design has been speculated to feature a new sonar system, a new surveillance system (periscope, radar etc.), and a new weapon system (possibly vertically launched long-range AshM from its extended sail?).

 

[CardSharp]

This is a diesel electric attack sub? What is its mission or role?

 

[no_name]

The Chinese BBS/forums are buzzing with the latest submarine launch -- it could be the first of a new class.

Here is Hui Tong's update.
Chinese Navy

Those two pics looks like different subs. The second one look like a model. Top ones looks like its top and bottom part are merged from different pics.

 

[aimarraul]

 

[dingyibvs]

More pictures of the 039B, per china-defense blog:

http://china-defense.blogspot.com/2010/09/msa15-and-msa75-and-that-yuan-b-in.html

 

[no_name]

More pictures of the 039B, per china-defense blog:

China Defense Blog: MSA15 in Wuhan and MSA75 in Guangzhou.... Oh yeah, that Yuan B

Makes you wonder why they didn't just take a pic of the sub, or maybe this is an intentional leak.

 

[CardSharp]

Makes you wonder why they didn't just take a pic of the sub, or maybe this is an intentional leak.

How much of a secret can it be when the damned thing is all dressed up in bunting.

 

[no_name]

Not much, but I thought if people are interested enough to take pics of surveilance ships they should be interested enough to take photos of the complete submarine.

Whereas up till now all we've been getting are incomplete or blurred shots.

 

[no_name]

Lol finally the complete shots of the alleged Yuan B. (With curtesy from China Defense Blog)

That grey thing in the sky is not a UFO, it's a blimp.

A CG image

 

[CardSharp]

^^^^^

China defence blog FTW. Xinhui and Co. does a great job there.

 

[file12345]

I know information is scare but can anyone tell me do latest Chinese subs have AIP ? If present then of what type the hydrogen based of Type 214 or some other ?

 

[no_name]

I also got a question, can't seem to make out the diving plane on the boat (?)


edit: It seems to have retractable hydroplane on the bow like kilo class.
I'll make a tentative guess that they are merging design advantages from both the kilo and the yuan sub.

 

[no_name]

A couple more new pics:

edit: Torpedo tube don't seem to be visible from the front. Maybe a vertical launch system?

Yuan boat with round tube

Or maybe the pic is not clear enough.