posted on Feb, 24 2006 @ 07:59 AM
you wouldnt put two pumpjets on a sub, It would increase the noise and complexety (more to break down) too much. A single large pumpjet is the
current favoured propulsion system on modern western subs and will be for quite a while. Having two would not provide that many advantages, it would
be no more manouverable (manouverability is mosty limited by what the human body can take). You would probably get a small increase in speed (drag
will have also increased substantially).
As for electromagneto hydrodynamics (Red October catapiller drive). In theory they would be one of the best systems to use on submarines as there are
few moving parts (cooling pumps are about it). The problem is that seawater is not a good enough conductor of electricity. Systems have been
designed and tested but there efficiency is very low. To get efficiency levels up to something similar to a conventional system would take very high
voltages and extreamly high magnetic fields (which are beyond current technology - even with superconducting magnets).
Loved the pics tho, we may yet see subs move in that direction, but not for a while.