China Shipbuilding Group recently issued a commendation notice to commend and recognize employees who made new breakthroughs and positive contributions in various undertakings in 2021, and a “key product” was mentioned to be delivered at the end of the year, which is believed to be the latest variant of Type 039 submarine, namely Type 039C.
According to the announcement, Xie Rui of China Shipbuilding Wusheng Group Design and Research Institute was awarded the “Individual Award for Significant Contribution” in 2021, with a certificate of honor and bonus.
The statement reads:
Xie Rui, currently deputy director of Wuchang Shipbuilding Heavy Industry Group Design and Research Institute, has made effective work in promoting key product nodes in 2021, especially in product delivery.
This type of key product was equipped with more than 60% of newly researched and improved equipment and underwent system reconfiguration. Comrade Xie Rui organized the research on the new technology, new equipment technical status and mooring and navigation test conditions and methods, analyzed the construction project and test project main line, made overall considerations, reasonably formulated the construction and mooring test plan, guided the tests, and ensured the smooth departure of the product from the factory. During the sailing test, he organized and overcame many technical problems, so that the tests were successfully completed and met the standards, ensuring the delivery of the product at the end of the year.
In addition, pictures rumored to be Type 039C Song class AIP submarine are also circulated on the Internet in China, whose main external feature is the use of a “cap” type hull design, also known as mushroom-shaped design. It also features the first complete photoelectric mast system made by China.