Tridente-class submarine

The Tridente-class submarines, also designated as U 209PN, are diesel-electric submarines based on the Type 214 submarine developed by Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft GmbH (HDW) for the Portuguese Navy.

Tridente-class profile
NRP Tridente at the Lisbon Naval Base
Class overview
Builders: HDW
Operators:  Portuguese Navy
Preceded by: Albacora class
Planned: 3
Completed: 2
Cancelled: 1
General characteristics
Type: Attack submarine
Displacement:
  • 1,700 tons (surfaced)
  • 2,020 tons (submerged)
Length: 67.7 m (222 ft)
Beam: 6.35 m (21 ft)
Draught: 6.6 m (22 ft)
Propulsion: Diesel-electric, fuel cell AIP, low noise skew back propeller
Speed:
  • 20 knots (37 km/h) submerged
  • 10 knots (19 km/h) surfaced
  • 6 knots (11 km/h) AIP system
Range: 12,000 nautical miles (22,000 km) at 8 knots (15 km/h)
Endurance: 45 days
Test depth: superior to 300 m (984 ft)
Capacity: 14
Complement:
  • 7 officers
  • 10 petty-officers
  • 16 enlisted
Sensors and
processing systems:
  • Kelvin Hughes KH-1007 (F) navigation radar
  • Atlas Elektronik GmbH ISUS 90 combat management system
Armament:
  • (8) 533 mm torpedo tubes, (4) subharpoon-capable
  • 12 × WASS Blackshark torpedo reloads

This class of submarines was acquired by Portugal to replace the previous submarines of the Albacora class, then being operated by the navy. Originally, HDW proposed the Type 209 submarine (U-209) during the competition, but decided to later enter a new proposal based on the Type 214. It is for this reason that the Tridente class is commonly designated as the U 209PN.

The class and its ships are the first to not be named after marine animals, thus breaking a tradition retracing back to 1913, when the first submarine entered service with the Portuguese Navy.

Ships

The Tridente-class submarines are wrongly classed in the "diesel-electric" class. Their propulsion is exclusively electric, with electric motors powered by batteries. These batteries may be charged while submerged by "fuel-cells" (inverse electrolysis) for which, this submarine carries a huge supply of liquid oxygen and hydrogen. Also, and solely as a second solution for recharging the batteries, this submarine carries two powerful diesel-electric generators (1.000 KVA) for use only when surfaced, or at snorkel depth .

Submerged, from Lisbon, Portugal, submarines of the class may reach the Cape of Good Hope and return, in 15 days.

Pennant Name Laid down Commissioned Status
S160 NRP Tridente 2005 May 2010 In service
S161 NRP Arpão 2005 December 2010 In service
  • Tridente-class submarine in the Tejo River
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