the camera will still be mast mounted like before... it just won't be a mirror and prism viewing system but a CCD camera
Posted on 10/23/2004 2:32:34 PM PDT by Mike Fieschko
NORFOLK, Va. -- With bells ringing and horns blaring, the Navy on Saturday commissioned the lead ship of its latest class of fast-attack submarines specifically designed for post-Cold War security threats.The $2.2 billion, nuclear-powered USS Virginia differs from other submarines because it can not only roam the deep blue ocean but also get close to shore in shallow water, which Navy officials say is important in fighting terrorism.
Lynda Robb Johnson, daughter of President Lyndon Johnson and wife of former Sen. Charles Robb, D-Va., gave the traditional order to "man our ship and bring her to life" in ceremonies at Norfolk Naval Station, the world's largest Navy base.
"Aye, aye, ma'am," the crew of about 130 responded. They then raced up both ends of the sub and lined up on deck as a Navy band played "Anchors Aweigh."
The 377-foot-long sub is the first to be built without a periscope, using a high-resolution digital camera instead. That meant the control room, which always had to be directly below the periscope, could be moved to a larger space in the sub's lower deck.
The Virginia also can launch unmanned undersea vehicles. Other improvements include a new computerized autopilot designed to reduce stress on the crew and a reconfigurable torpedo room that can hold extra beds for special operations forces.
In his keynote address, Sen. John Warner, R-Va., said the Virginia will help lead the fight against terrorism.
"We cannot ever blink. We cannot ever flinch. We cannot yield," said Warner, a former Navy secretary. "This ship will very definitely play a role in that war on terror."
The sub is the first of 10 Virginia-class submarines scheduled to be built through a partnership between Northrop Grumman Newport News and General Dynamics Electric Boat.
(Excerpt) Read more at wral.com ...
I posted another story about this from the New London Day. I can't get back to it on the Day site, but here is that thread:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1248871/posts
It incudes a picture of the control panel.
No sir, the French have a patent on them for subs.
Our enemies with coastlines should be very afraid.
Looks like a Russian Oscar, PA Engineer:
Or a massively overgrown Skipjack. Minus the dive planes.
Verrrrry cool.
With or without a periscope.
Jack.
Must be powered by a HEMI. :~)
But they export, ask canada.
Spare camera is the easy answer that comes to mind. Probably more than one spare on board.
Shouldn't that be Lynda Johnson Robb?
Screendoor.
Kewl!.. :))
Digital, huh? That means some bored watch personnel could photoshop in just about anything they wanted. Enemy ships, sea monsters, mermaids, etc.
It looks like Flipper beached up there.
Then again, maybe there's a reason for that.
Thanks, interesting . . . I love living in the future! :-)
It only gets worse for our enemies: wait till the SSGNs hit the water. Imagine one of these refitted boomers travelling with a few SEAL teams and 154 Tomahawks....
USS Halibut Veteran's Association Web Page
http://users.erols.com/marelk/USS%20Halibut%20Vets.htm
THE USS HALIBUT SSGN/SSN 587 AND THE NEW SSGN's GANGWAY PAGE
http://users.erols.com/marelk/
REGULUS
http://hometown.aol.com/ntspark/myhomepage/Regulus-Missile10.html
John P. Craven
http://www.aloha.com/~craven/index.html
the camera will still be mast mounted like before... it just won't be a mirror and prism viewing system but a CCD camera
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.