The Gotland class illustrates the tactical advantage of a very quiet air-independent-propulsion boat in a prepared operating area. The same submarine cannot move long distances underwater at nuclear-submarine speed, so an opponent can reduce the threat by controlling distance and avoiding the littoral trap. The watch point frames quietness, endurance, speed, and geography as a connected design tradeoff.
Notable Point · 3:33:12-3:34:32
The quietness and range tradeoff of AIP submarines
A discussion of Stirling-powered submarines explains why extremely quiet conventional boats are dangerous in confined waters but limited in sustained speed and reach.