So the question is, with all this navigating redundancy - human and electronic - built in, why have there been two collisions and one grounding in the last 6 months all in the same area of the Pacific?
I don't know. Something does not make sense here is what I am saying. These are Aegis class ships that can track an “incoming bumble bee” from over the horizon. I find it hard to believe that the nav systems and processes failed so frequently in waters that are sailed every day.
It appears from my reading that they do not have a lookout system with actual people on lookout. Maybe that’s old school and high tech renders it obsolete, but it would have been a simple, additional layer of warning that couldn’t be hacked or on the fritz.
I’ll throw out a theory — information overload. These crews are trained to process that information, or they should be. But Aegis destroyers are very sophisticated with their powerful radars and navigational equipment. It’s easy to imagine an undertrained crew being over-reliant on them.
Story: USAF pilots were actually shot down over Vietnam because the radar because in aerial combat the radios when bonkers with chatter, and the newly installed radar threat receivers would start squawking. Pilot shot down. In those instances where the pilot was recovered, some were asked, “why didn’t you turn when your flight lead called for a break?” The answer was inevitably, “I never heard the call.” Then they’d play the recording and the pilot ‘heard it’ for the first time.
So, the problem is likely not with ships systems, jamming or hacking. It’s probably the watches being undermanned, undertrained and they are failing to confirm what the radars are seeing. The OOD’s conning the ships are hesitating which is bad in a congested sea lane.
Agreed. These 7th Fleet collisions are utterly inexplicable, and unprecedented. How could these warships simply wander into harm’s way? Something mysterious is going on.
Ditto what you said. I understand the redundancy in place to prevent accidents, but the three you cite makes me believe something else is up.
I am a Navy vet and I agree with you. One collision or grounding equals accident and/or poor command. Two might be a coincidence. Three, especially all in the same general geographic area, starts to be suspicious. Now that does not necessarily mean the cause is something nefarious. Could be massive systemic command and discipline/training failure. But you are right that there is cause for suspicion.
“I don’t know. Something does not make sense here is what I am saying.”
Concur.