Russia’s 5th Generation Submarines Have 20% Thinner Stealth Coating

MOSCOW – Russia’s fifth-generation submarines will receive a new hydroacoustic rubber coating that is 20% thinner and much more efficient.

The news was revealed by Valery Polovinkin, head of science at the Krylov State Research Center (KSRC), to Sputnik on Monday (8/7/2024).

“We are talking about a reduction in thickness of about 10-20%, which is quite significant. This is not just a formulation of the substance, special channels are created in the layer. This is not just a monolith but a construction, because air is the best insulator,” he said.

Polovinkin added that submarines need better camouflage because no armor can defeat armor-piercing projectiles.

“Unfortunately, the projectile won the famous ‘bullet strike versus armor’ battle. We need to hide the ships,” Polovinkin explained.

Scientists at KSRC, a leading developer of ship designs and new materials for the Russian navy, are working on polyfunctional coatings for fifth-generation submarines, the scientist said.

(she)