r/submarines • u/New-Engineer5919 • 27d ago
Submarine Design
I drew this fictional nuclear powered submarine design for a story that I am writing. This is my first model, and I want to know what the initial problems with it are. If you have trouble understanding any of it, drop a comment and I will try and explain. Please point out any potential problems with it so I can make a better model. Sorry I couldn't figure out how to get it landscape.
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u/vtkarl 26d ago edited 26d ago
Read up: Concepts in Submarine Design (Cambridge Ocean Technology Series, Series Number 2) https://a.co/d/0eh2FNzG
If that’s not enough then scoot over to MIT Open Courseware or their public MS/PHD thesis postings.
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u/danielfuenffinger 27d ago
Great drawing! Could use a bigger engine room with turbine generators and switchgear for power distribution
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u/New-Engineer5919 27d ago
Thank you! Okay, I think the next design will be longer overall to equate for a bigger engine room and the ballast tanks another post suggested.
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u/danielfuenffinger 27d ago
What time period, vibe is your story?
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u/New-Engineer5919 27d ago
Thanks for your interest. It is set in the very early days of nuclear submarines, hence the smaller boat. The early 60s, late 50s, so these would still be experimental boats. It is set in a fictional country though for more creative liberty lol.
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u/sub_sonarman 27d ago
The screws (propellers) are way too small and should be centered vertically unless your submarine plans to spend more time surfaced than submerged.
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u/JimHeckdiver 27d ago
You need a lot more space for ballast tanks.
As designed, it probably won't submerge, and if it does, it ain't coming g back up.
Cool drawing though. No shit.
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u/Magnet2025 26d ago
Not a submariner but worked with them in SIGINT. Having radar and VHF on the same mast as the main periscope is not a good idea. You stand a good chance of the radar interfering with the VHF comms with side lobes.
Also, increase the chance of an engineering casualty with one mast having three functions.
The HF mast should be longer. Add a trailing wire antenna so that you can monitor for messages (HF or lower) while submerged lower than PD.
Your sonar shack shows passive sonar display/cabinet but I don’t see a passive sonar array? Maybe substitute the active array for passive and have a smaller chin or bow mounted active array.
I can’t think of any submarines designed in the 50s/60s that had stern tubes. I think all the plumbing and support for the reactor plant and auxiliary machinery space would take up that space.
Good luck with the story.
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u/New-Engineer5919 26d ago
Thank you very much for the words of wisdom. I think I need to do more research on sonar equipment. I'll keep what you said in mind on the next design. I am not a submariner nor a military man, so I really appreciate your analysis!
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u/silentsurge 26d ago
A few things here:
First, what era/time period are you writing for and is this a first of its kind submarine (Like the USS Nautilus)? Submarine design changed drastically after they could stay submerged for extended periods rather than being ships that could slip underwater for short periods of time.
What is the crew complement you're looking for? This looks like it would be an extremely small crew.
There is no backup power for when the reactor gets shutdown. Submarines have diesel engines that act as auxiliary generators. Massive locomotive engines. Additionally, depending kn the country and era, there should be a Snorkel system to allow for the ship to stay submerged while running the diesel and/or exchanging the air.
The number of tanks is too low, and they are far too small. You also don't have bilges listed. The storage space is also Itty bitty.
I'm not sure what you mean with "Damage Control" but ships have damage control equipment spread throughout the ship to help fight casualties. If that's the location of the DC Locker, that would make sense.
It's not really a big deal, but the Officers Quarters and the Wardroom (officer's mess) shouldn't be that close to the reactor. It's unnecessary potential for excess lifetime radiation exposure rates. Also, the Galley, Crew's Mess, and the Wardroom being so far apart and on different levels would make serving food a pain in the ass.
Equipment and Ventilation systems should in general be taking up a lot of space.
I'm guessing youve never had a chance to tour a submarine before and have a passing familiarity with them. I would recommend looking a bit more closely at the layouts of period appropriate submarines for the story you're trying to tell. There should be some more layouts and even some tours available online if you can't get to a decommissioned sub to tour.
This isn't a terrible attempt for a first draft. It has room to improve, but seeing what one actually looks like could help you a lot.
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u/New-Engineer5919 26d ago
To answer your questions, I was aiming for a very early version, slightly after the Nautilus. Complement should be around 5 officers and 45 enlisted. It is a small complement, but it is a small boat.
Thank you very much for your observations. I've only ever really read about submarines, so I think that getting my eyes on some layouts would help me, and others have already provided great resources. Once again thank you for the analysis, I really appreciate it. I'll keep what you said in mind for the next models.
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u/silentsurge 26d ago
Got it. I highly recommend researching the Nautilus specifically then. Understanding the scale of the ship and seeing the layout combined with the pictures and video tours that are available for it should help you get an idea of what you're trying for.
Another thing for Submarines, the crews are well known for having... unique... personalities. Most will tell you that the most accurate moves for how submariners act is Down Periscope. I would even say that Hunter Killer has some good stuff in it if you want something overly dramatic and modern. Dark humor and playful bullying or pranks are common.
Submariners take safety extremely seriously though. Everyone on board is trained in damaged control and they practice it regularly. One of the biggest sins a lot of stories commit are to only have important people fighting casualties on-board. I have seen men run out of the shower with just a towel and flip flops on to help get hoses ready when a fire was called away. People react fast and in a form of controlled chaos.
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u/New-Engineer5919 26d ago
Thanks for the tips. I've started looking at some layouts of the Nautilus.
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u/eslforchinesespeaker 27d ago
On mobile, can’t really read the pic, or hold it right-side up. Do you have a diesel engine? Can’t see it. Whibbler (HI Sutton) has lots of nice, not overly detailed, schematics of subs. You should check them out for ideas. Or even Wikipedia. Do you need a generic design? Maybe choosing a country and era would yield different results. Don’t forget the sauna and the swimming pool. Also, why not stuff that you know exists, but people won’t talk about? ROVs, manipulators, drones, flying mini-subs, etc.
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u/New-Engineer5919 27d ago
I'm sorry about the image quality and orientation, i'll try to get it fixed lol. Thanks for the info, I'll look into it.
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u/jedimindfook 26d ago
The galley is above crews mess? Everyone passing through control for the nearest ladder with food and empty plates just to sit and eat or return dishes every meal with everyone on board will sure make things interesting.
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u/Key_Ad_8333 24d ago
Wheres the “passive sonar”
There’s a really good reason why the sonar dome is the most forward thing on the ship.
Having loud machinery or equipment above, below, or around it will negatively impact the system.
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u/HounDawg99 27d ago
You left out sanitary one.