U.S. striving to detect diesel submarines

Star Tribune ^ | July 08, 2006 – 11:00 PM | Eric Rosenberg Hearst Newspapers

[sukhoi-30mki]

U.S. striving to detect diesel submarines

The Navy is concentrating its efforts to find the quiet, difficult-to-detect crafts in Asia and the Pacific region.

Eric Rosenberg Hearst Newspapers

Last update: July 08, 2006 – 11:00 PM

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Navy is stepping up its program for detecting new diesel-powered submarines that are extremely quiet, hard to find and increasingly relied upon by China, Iran and North Korea.

[chimera]

So, it appears that relatively short-duration missions would be the role these units would fill, perhaps warding off an incursion of warships near a coastline, like a carrier group, or some sort of clandestine littoral operations like insertion of special forces or eavesdropping. Sounds like the nukes will still be out there for longer-term missions, although their vulnerability may have taken a hit with these super-quiet non-nuclear ships on the prowl.

I am no expert in naval tactics, but it looks like some kind of counter to these guys will have to be developed. Maybe a back-to-the-future version of pinging, and get the dolphins and whales some earplugs.

[Aquinasfan]

That's why working with an AWACs is so successful for fighters.

So that's what AWACs are all about. Thanks for the info.

[sukhoi-30mki]

Not exactly-esp if it is a D/E sub with AIP.That is twin propulsion systems.Such subs have an (overall) endurance of upto 50+ days.The new German Type-212/214s can go upto 70 days on patrol,with upto 20 spent at a stretch underwater on AIP.They could increase that time by using the D/E option.Besides,more & more countries are looking at integrating land-attack missile capability to their D/E-AIP subs.The Russians have developed a VLS for their Amur class subs which allow upto 10 heavy cruise missiles to be carried without compromising the boat's torpedo tube launch weapons.

[chimera]

Well, I guess I was thinking of the time on station for these versus a boomer or fast boat. Eventually the AIP will have to be refueled or you risk running on the surface for an extended period. The nuke will eventually have to be refueled, but we're looking at a 20 year cycle instead of several months.

Still, with their stealth capability, widespread deployment of these units will eventually force a paradigm shift of US military strategy and tactics. Better to think ahead and have something ready to go than be caught flatfooted.

[Bottom_Gun]

great, I taught SPACE from 89 to 92 when I retired. Watched the A-School move back here to Groton, and now all the schools are here, in a "new" Acoustics Sensors Building, right across from where the Group-2 off crew building was..the name of it excapes me right now.

[bmwcyle]

I went to Great Lakes and then went to Groton for sub school about the time the Grayling was back from it's crush run. Then I bought my first BMW bike in Groton (they don't sell BMW anymore). I rode it to A and C school in San Diego. Then I came back to Norfolk.