Sorry about the delay. Suddenly, my computer is having problems. What a coincidence!
Answers? I don’t have answers to all questions.
However, I think it is wrong to make assumptions. I do not assume the the system was operational in 1996. I think this was a live fire test.
As you know if you read AWST, several nations now have the ability to launch anti-aircraft missiles from submerged subs.
I think it is a mistake to assume that a Navy sub was used for the test. The same company that was developing the missile also makes subs. The launch platform could have been very small and used for testing new capabilities.
Yes, I find it hard to believe that everyone kept their mouth shut. However, I see that NTSB personnel kept quiet until they retired. I kept quiet until 10 years after I retired when I saw that others had opened up.
When I was briefed, the idea was to launch the anti-aircraft missiles when the sub heard sonobuoys begin operating. The fabulous new sensor was designed to go after the largest solid object in the sky.
Once again, I think it was an accident. It probably shut down the program for years. It probably sent shock waves through the Black World. But, Black World people don’t talk to anyone. I have seen situations where no one including the SecDef had a need to know.
Gotta log off. Computer is not operating properly.
Your answers make a lot of sense, but I still don’t think every single person that would be involved with an accident of this magnitude would have kept their mouth shut, whether they were military or private contractor.
Even if there aren’t any moral people left in the world, somebody, somewhere in whatever entity they work for, is disgruntled and would spill the beans.