Everyone Is Asking About The Russian Sub Spotted In The Gulf Of Mexico

Business Insider ^ | Aug. 22, 2012, 11:32 PM | Leandro Oliva, Contributor

[DeaconBenjamin]

Akula class submarine

An unusual story has been circulating of an Akula class Russian submarine lurking in the Gulf of Mexico for weeks, evidently undetected by the U.S.

The story is odd not only because such a mission would be unusual and alarming, but also because of the source — in this case, veteran national security reporter and former Washington Times columnist Bill Gertz.

While the Russian navy under Putin and Medvedev has undertaken well advertised “symbolic” missions, such as a 2008 visit by a contingent of its weathered North Sea Fleet to Venezuela, these have generally not been much more than extremely visible ways to demonstrate displeasure with U.S. and NATO policy and/or maintain good relations with its arms customers.

Likewise, when Russia’s air force deploys its ancient propeller-driven Tupolev Tu-95 “Bear” bombers to buzz close to American airspace, the U.S. deploys fighter jets to intercept.

So, then, would Russia be willing to escalate the situation by sailing an attack sub into the Gulf of Mexico?

Two U.S. officials confirmed that the Akula’s incursion took place at the same time that Russia once again trotted out its Tupolevs into restricted airspace in June and July.

Requests for confirmation of the story from the Navy were declined, the Pentagon has thus far denied the incursion, and the Russian Defense Ministry will not disclose information either way.

Meanwhile, Republican Senator John Cornyn, a member of the Armed Services Committee, sent a letter to the Pentagon’s Chief of Naval Operations demanding clarification, stating that the incident “is especially troubling given the drastic defense cuts sought by President Obama, which include reductions in funding for antisubmarine defense systems.”

[EricT.]

The BUFF IS a dinosaur. It's a 60-year-old flying freight train that can be shot down with minimal effort by SAMs or even the lowest-end fighter.

[FreedomPoster]

But when you have complete air superiority and SAM suppression, it’s a nice bomb truck.

[EricT.]

But when you have complete air superiority and SAM suppression, it’s a nice bomb truck.

Now THAT'S very true!

[hamboy]

Was he duped by the US officials, or was this part of his report a lie?

Who knows. U.S. official who?

[Young Werther]

My sources say that is was a

UFO

UNDERWATER FLOATING OBJECT!

[Gandalf_The_Gray]

btw designed with slide rules, drawn with pencil on vellum, and the BOM was in 3-ring binders, LOL

That's the way it was done when I started a career in engineering. Our first computer was a time share with 110 baud access via teletype, programing language was FORTRAN II. I've lost count of the number of programming languages and operating systems I've run through. Things really got exciting when we started 3D solid modeling and rapid prototyping. Amazing what 40 years can bring...

Regards,
GtG

[nascarnation]

I was at an air show earlier this summer.
Just happened to be talking to an old guy but still working at one of the big suppliers to Boeing.

He laughed in the old days when we used slide rules and drafting boards we could put out a new plane in 4 years, now with all the computerized stuff it takes 20.

[Forward the Light Brigade]

The ways I sees it—The Russian Communists are GONE—no more socialist world empire for the workers of the world. That’s dead BUT what didn’t die is Russian Nationalism and a desire for a Russian World Empire under the two headed eagle with the Orthodox Church to return the world to their brand of Christ. No more idealism of Marx, now it blatant Imperialism and power! This might be worse. Now its the Third Rome! They are not our friend—they will tell you Russia has no friends.

[Redcitizen]

It’ a lost “Red” seal trying to find its way back to the Arctic circle.