Rudder propeller, also known as azimuth thruster. An azimuth thruster is a propeller or ducted thruster used to propel and manipulate ships by rotating 360 degrees around a vertical axis through a helical gear system. Its shaft system is arranged in a Z-shape, which can simultaneously promote and manipulate the ship. Can change the direction of thrust arbitrarily, making the ship turn around in place and move back and forth freely. Its blade pitch angle changes periodically during the rotation of the blade t. When the blades are at different position angles, the angle of attack of the blade will also change with the change of position angle, causing the tangential force on the corresponding blade element of each blade to also change with the change of position angle. In this case, the component force in the axial direction cannot be cancelled out, so there will be lateral force on the blade. In this way, axial force, lateral force, and directional force can be generated as needed, and the combination of two such thrusters can achieve the propulsion and manipulation of the submersible.

Rudder propellers, also known as azimuth thrusters or podded propulsion systems, can be driven by different methods depending on the design and application. The primary driving methods are: Diesel Engine Drive, Electric Motor Drive and Hydraulic Drive.