Posted on 11/04/2021 2:24:24 PM PDT by DFG
The US Navy has fired a nuclear submarine's Commanding Officer, Executive Officer and Chief of the Boat for 'loss of confidence' after their vessel collided with an 'uncharted seamount' in the South China Sea.
The $3.1 billion USS Connecticut's CO Cmdr Cameron Aljilani, XO Lt Cmdr Patrick Cashin and COB Cory Rodgers were relieved of their positions on Wednesday.
A seamount is a mountain which rises from the ocean floor.
A statement from the Navy said that the October 2 crash, which injured 11 crew members, could have been prevented with 'sound judgement, prudent decision-making and adherence to required procedures in navigation planning'.
Three interim officers were ordered to fill in and the Seawolf-class submarine is reportedly in Guam 'undergoing damage assessment' overseen by the Naval Sea Systems Command.
On the day the USS Connecticut struck the underwater mountain there were soaring tensions with China after 39 warplanes breached Taiwanese airspace and a record 56 aircraft flew into the zone two days later in a 24-hour period.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
Grim news.
Here’s an article I was reading this morning:
“Despite a virtual news blackout, information on America’s damaged Seawolf Class attack submarine, USS Connecticut (SSN-22), is starting to leak out. While details are scarce, the Pacific Fleet’s latest operational debacle has left the U.S. without a key undersea combatant. At a minimum, the USS Connecticut will be out of service for years, and there is a creeping realization that the damage may be significant enough to force the USS Connecticut into a premature retirement.” (Forbes)
That is exactly what I am saying. Active sonar gives them a detailed picture of their surroundings. It also let’s everyone else know where they are. When running silent / passive they listen for the noises of other ships. Terrain does not make any noise. It’s entirely possible that the mountain they hit was not on their charts. Or they were not where they thought they were or both or yet still it could have been a bad command decision.
I think they just fired the boats command personnel so this may have not been due to bad charts of an unknown undersea mountain/rise.
Hope that helps.
China has been building Islands. Perhaps this is one they started building but hadn't yet broken the surface with it?
You can’t use sonar when you are trying to hide. Everyone can pick up sonar pings and triangulate them back to your position. An American sub in Chinese waters would not be using active sonar unless it was some sort of emergency.
Ever see the waterfall displays of passive sonar? I would not be surprised if terrain could make a void in the background noise which would be detectable if you were configured to look for it, and that configuration would probably involve running slower.
I've never served on a sub but I know a thing or two about electronics and what is feasible.
You may be correct. My comments are based on limited knowledge. I could see that terrain would mask background noise and be “visible” through that method. Seems you may be correct since they just axed the command.
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