Newest Fast-Attack Subs Have No Periscopes Submarines Use Digital Cameras Instead [USS Virginia]

AP via WRAL ^ | Oct 23, 2004 | unknown

[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.

[quietolong]

It will take some time!
Follow the links they will take you to other great sight with links to more.
Here’s three good book to read

The Silent War

Blind Man's Bluff

Spy Sub

Many more on the Regulus’s sights book page
http://hometown.aol.com/ntspark/myhomepage/Regulus-Missile6.html

I hit our library system and found over 1/2 the book & movies listed. kept be out of trouble for weeks;)

[gcruse]

Aboard the Virginia

[vox_freedom]

I treasure a picture of myself sitting at the helm of the Trident sub USS Henry M. Jackson. Beautiful vessel.

[gcruse]

I can imagine. During my tour, I think the most beautiful ship afloat was the USS Long Beach, one of the first guided missile cruisers. I visited aboard, but didn't serve on her.

[rmlew]

Bridge display, like Star Trek?

[alfa6]

marker bump

Regards

alfa6 ;>}

[sukhoi-30mki]

Err,ru talking bout the Canadian boat that recently had a major accident??Well that class of subs were not french,but British built(ex Royal Navy infact).While,I can pretty much get ur views on the French,I must say their D/E subs are pretty formidable,only behind German ones(& a few Russian variants like the Kilo) & have had plenty of export success.Infact the 1st sub to sink an enemy ship after the 2nd world war was a French sub in the Pakistani navy,irrespective of screen doors!!!!!!