I actually own one of these.
Posted on 08/24/2014 6:00:06 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
Rather than create an air bubble in the water through which to travel, why not just travel through the air ala an aircraft?
I think you nailed it here. The first practical use is as a weapon. If it’s already being spoken of in a civilian type application, how far along is the weapon?
Years ago I worked temporary for a short time at a company that had R&D facilities in China. They had many precautions to keep someone like me from stealing their trade secrets. I recall the irony thinking that their secrets were probably already for sale by corrupt Chinese officials.
I think they are on to something.....my farts in the bathtub are super cavatating
The Russians have had torpedoes based on this tech for years.
I don’t know about that. I’m not sure I can get a non classified answer here, but how close can you pin down a passive sonar signal at 100 miles? I cannot imagine it is good enough for a targeting solution.
Of course on the converse, I cannot see how a torpedo in a curtain of bubbles will be able to detect anything outside for guidance, and there’s no way you are going to have a tethered torpedo at this speed or range.
Guidance overall could be the limiting issue for how serious a threat this really is. Perhaps that limitation is why they have even brought it into daylight. Could be they have already determined that the military uses are impractical.
There’s a lot of interesting questions surrounding this tech.
Are they guided though? The article implies that the ability to actually maneuver is a brand new update in the tech.
Yes, the Russian torpedoes are guided.
I don't think a moose can go that fast.
At 100 miles, you'll probably have to send an anti-submarine rocket and/or ASW helo out after it. In fair seas I imagine the wake created by such supercavitating object will be very prominent and guide the pilot straight to it's source.
The bad news is that it is theoretically possible if you can pack enough propellant on a sub and still have room for crew or payload. The good news is that it would be a cinch to find... The soviets tried super cavitation torpedoes in the ‘80s but they proved impractical. It sounds scary though.
Great for torpedoes, though
I actually own one of these.
Ping! To a submarine thread. This should sound familiar to you.
Cavitation torpedoes are nothing new.
You own a tripod?
A supersonic airplane has a smooth deceleration to subsonic then to landing speed. I imagine the transition from supersonic to full stop in a submarine would be severe. As soon as you lose the supercavitation effect, that water is gonna catch hold and slow you down in a hurry.
Sounds like typical planet-killing Chicom pollution.
Yes, I know—see post 25.
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.