Japan Orders Stirling AIP for Submarines

From Defense Aerospace

Breakthrough in Japan for Stirling AIP

(Source: Kockums AB; issued July 11, 2005)

Kockums has signed a contract with Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) concerning delivery of Stirling engines for Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) systems of Japan’s submarine programme.

The order has been placed following several years evaluation of Stirling engines aboard the Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) training submarine. Japan has decided to adopt the AIP system that is based on Kockums' Stirling engine technology for its new submarines.

“We are very pleased for the new orders for Stirling engines from Japan, including our long-term co-operation with KHI. It demonstrates that the submarine community in Japan has great confidence in the Stirling AIP system, which we are very proud of,” said Kockums' CEO Martin Hagbyhn.

Submarines equipped with Stirling AIP systems can expand the submerged endurance, thus avoiding to expose its position. This enables the Stirling AIP submarine to counter the threat scenario much more effectively compared to a conventional diesel-electric submarine.

Kockums will deliver the components for the Stirling engines, while KHI will assemble the AIP-units and will also be responsible for final delivery of the complete AIP systems to the shipyards.

For commercial reasons, the value of the contract cannot be made public.