In the movie, Hunt for Red October, the Soviet Union launches a new sub with a mysterious new silent propulsion system, called a “caterpillar drive.” The new technology, revealed in spy photos, leaves it both stealthy and dangerous — a first-strike weapon of the worst kind. In truth, submarine propulsion is a constantly evolving medium that largely exists in the shadows due to its sensitive nature, Tyler Rogoway of The War Zone reports. When it comes to submarines, silence is survival, so any way to make a boat quieter and more efficient is seen as potentially revolutionary. Enter Germany`s new Type 212 submarine, and its odd new propulsors. Surprisingly, no security measures were taken at...
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