David
Fri December 20, 2002 8:44am
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A Standard SM-1 missile i
A Standard SM-1 missile is launched from USS Sides (FFG 14) at ex-USS Towers (DDG 9), a decommissioned Adams-class destroyer, during a live-fire missile exercise held near San Diego. Using decommissioned ships for live-fire operations gives the ship's crew the experience of launching operational weapons and honing their war-fighting skills. Working with the state and environmentalists, the Navy sinks decommissioned ships in coastal waters to provide an artificial reef, thus promoting the growth of marine life and enhancing recreational fishing and sport diving opportunities. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Andrew Betting.
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David
Fri December 20, 2002 4:41pm
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The guided missile frigat
The guided missile frigate USS Sides (FFG 14) fires its Mark 75 ~ 76mm rapid-fire gun at ex-USS Towers (DDG 9), a decommissioned Adams-class destroyer, during a live-fire sinking exercise (SINKEX) conducted off the California coast. Using decommissioned ships for live-fire operations gives ships' crews experience in firing operational weapons and hones their war-fighting skills. Working with the state and environmentalists, the Navy sinks decommissioned ships ? first made environmentally safe ? in coastal waters to provide an artificial reef, thus promoting the growth of marine life and enhancing recreational fishing and sport diving opportunities. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Andrew Betting.
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David
Fri December 20, 2002 10:15pm
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Members of the U. S. Navy
Members of the U. S. Navy's Deep Submergence Unit Diving Systems Detachment secure the Submarine Rescue Chamber (SRC) aboard the MV Kendrick in preparation for "Exercise Pacific Reach." The Republic of Singapore Navy, the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force, the Republic of Korea Navy and the U.S. Navy will participate in this first-ever cooperative regional submarine rescue exercise. U.S. Navy photo by Senior Chief Photographer's Mate Terry Cosgrove.
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David
Sat January 3, 2004 10:24pm
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Akula Class Nuclear Attac
Function: Nuclear powered attack submarine.
History: The Delfin class attack submarines (SSN) were originally conceived in 1972 as Project 971/971U "Bars", a strategic cruise missile launch platform (SSGN) capable of launching the S-10 Granat missile, a Soviet copy of the American Tomahawk cruise missile. Originally designed along the same lines of the Pr. 671RTM (NATO Victor III) submarines, and armed with six 53cm torpedo tubes (to fire the S-10) and 2 65cm tubes (to launch defensive torpedoes and missiles), when the Soviet navy realized that its production facilities were not capable of producing titanium hulled Pr. 945 (NATO Sierra I and II) submarines, the 971 was redesigned to take advantage of the advanced sensor, command, communication, and weapons systems of the Zubatka and Karp class boats, yet made from steel. This redesign also increased the number of 53cm and 65cm torpedo tubes to four apiece. Additionally, the Pr. 971 submarines incorporated the active countermeasures suite found on the Pr. 945 boats. This system would use acoustic sensors to detect, classify, and automatically prioritize these contacts and display this information to an operator who then could take more precise action. Furthermore, in the case of torpedoes, the system could automatically take action, launching decoys and initiating barrage and deception jamming of the threat sensors. Surprisingly, when the 971 series entered production, it was found to offer performance similar to the 945 but at a fraction of the cost,with lower maintenance requirements, and the only real drawback being the reduction of the basic load from 40 weapons to 32. Consequently, the 971, and not the 945, was adopted as the follow on general purpose submarine to replace the aging 671 fleet.
Improvements to the basic Delfin design were incorporated into a more advanced production model designated the 971U. These improvements included the installation of 6 external 53cm torpedo tubes (for launching the S-10 Granat) and the non acoustic sensor system from the Pr. 945 submarines, which uses infrared sensors to detect the thermal gradients produced in submarine wakes. As production of the 971U was initiated, attempts to reduce the noise signature to levels comparable with the early Los Angeles class boats were made, which necessitated the redesign of the engine spaces. These modifications were incorporated into a new design designated Project 971A.
Deployed roughly at the same time as the American Improved Los Angeles class fast attack submarines, the 971 boats produce more noise than the early Los Angeles class, though their performance is far superior to earlier Soviet designs. The 971U is comparable to the early Los Angeles submarines in radiated noise levels at low speeds, becoming progressively noisier as speed increases. Additionally, the 971 series are far inferior to their US counterparts in terms of sonar sensitivity and combat capabilities. Production was limited to twelve 971U submarines before the collapse of the Soviet Union. Additionally, production was initiated on two 971A submarines but discontinued for lack of funding. Eleven of the surviving 971U submarines are currently in limited service with the Russian navy.
General Characteristics, Delfin Class
Builders:
Krasnoye Soromovo Zavod 112, Nizhniy Novgorod
Power Plant:
One OKB-650B-5 rated at 190 Megawatts, two steam turbines, one shaft with one VRSh-7 controllable pitch screw, 47,000 shaft horsepower
Length, Overall:
354.2 feet (107.9 meters)
Beam:
44.3 feet (13.5 meters)
Draft:
31.4 feet (9.6 meters)
Displacement:
7,900 tons submerged
Speed:
35 knots submerged
Crew:
31 Officers; 31 Enlisted
Maximum Safe Diving Depth:
1,475 feet
Armament:
Two internal 53cm torpedo tubes
Two external 53cm torpedo tubes (8 on 971U series)
Four internal 65cm torpedo tubes
S-10 Granat (NATO SS-N-21 SAMPSON) strategic cruise missiles
Two RPK-6 Vodopod (NATO SS-N-16 STALLION) rocket delivered nuclear depth charges
RPK-7 Vodopei (NATO SS-N-16 STALLION) rocket delivered homing torpedoes
BA-111 Shkval underwater rockets
Type 53-65K torpedoes
SET-65 torpedoes
TEST-68 torpedoes
Sensors:
Vspletsk combat direction system
Radar:
One Chiblis surface search radar
One Medvyedista-945 navigation radar
Sonar:
One MGK-503-M Skat active/passive sonar suite
One Pelamida towed sonar array
Two Akula flank arrays
One MG-70 mine detection sonar
Countermeasures:
Bukhta ESM/ECM system
Two MG-74 Korund noise simulation decoys
One MT-70 sonar intercept reciever
Nikhrom-M IFF system
Ships:
K.239 Karp, Commissioned June 1987, decommissioned 1997.
K.276 Krab, Commissioned September 1984, decommissioned 1997
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David
Sat January 3, 2004 10:24pm
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Sierra I Class Nuclear At
Function: Nuclear powered attack submarine.
History: The Sierra I class nuclear attack submarine (SSN) was conceived in 1972 as Project 945 "Barrakuda," and was intended to serve as a replacement for the aging Pr. 671RTM boats, which had reached the limits of their developmental potential, as the primary attack submarine in the Soviet Navy. In addition to incorporating a number of technological enhancements which improved navigation, communications, propulsion, radiated noise, sensor quality and command and control, the Pr. 945 boats featured an active countermeasures suite which worked in a manner similar to those found on aircraft. This system would use acoustic sensors to detect, classify, and automatically prioritize these contacts and display this information to an operator who then could take more precise action. Furthermore, in the case of torpedoes, the system could automatically take action, launching decoys and initiating barrage and deception jamming of the threat sensors. Lastly, the Pr. 945 submarines were the first to utilize non acoustic sensors to detect submarines, using infrared sensors to detect the thermal gradients produced in submarine wakes. The design utilized many features found in the Pr. 685 boats, including the 48-T titanium alloy hull. The 945 hulls were armed with two internal 53cm torpedo tubes, two external 53cm torpedo tubes, and four internally mounted 65cm torpedo tubes. Unlike the Pr. 685 submarines, the Barrakuda had a large torpedo room with a capacity for 40 weapons, including 53 and 65cm wake following and wire guided torpedoes, BA-111 Shkval underwater rockets, P-100 anti-ship missiles, RPK-6 rocket delivered nuclear depth charges, and RPK-7 rocket delivered homing torpedoes.
Deployed roughly at the same time as the American Improved Los Angeles class fast attack submarines, the 945 boats were comparable with the early Los Angeles class in terms of performance except in the areas of non acoustic detection and integrated acoustic countermeasure systems, where the Soviet submarines are decidedly superior. Production was limited to two submarines before the class was redesigned and reclassified Project 945A and both were decommissioned in 1997 as a result of high operating costs.
General Characteristics, Karp Class
Builders:
Krasnoye Soromovo Zavod 112, Nizhniy Novgorod
Power Plant:
One OKB-650B-5 rated at 190 Megawatts, two steam turbines, one shaft with one VRSh-7 controllable pitch screw, 47,000 shaft horsepower
Length, Overall:
351 feet (107 meters)
Beam:
36.7 feet (11.2 meters)
Draft:
27.9 feet (8.5 meters)
Displacement:
6,800 tons submerged
Speed:
35 knots submerged
Crew:
31 Officers, 28 Enlisted
Maximum Safe Diving Depth:
2,300 feet
Armament:
Two internal 53cm torpedo tubes
Two external 53cm torpedo tubes
Four internal 65cm torpedo tubes
P-100 Oniks (NATO SS-N-22 SUNBURN) anti-ship missiles
Two RPK-6 Vodopod (NATO SS-N-16 STALLION) rocket delivered nuclear depth charges
RPK-7 Vodopei (NATO SS-N-16 STALLION) rocket delivered homing torpedoes
BA-111 Shkval underwater rockets
Type 65-76 torpedoes
SET-72 torpedoes
TEST-71M torpedoes
USET-80 torpedoes
Sensors:
Vspletsk combat direction system
Radar:
One Chiblis surface search radar
One Medvyedista-945 navigation radar
Sonar:
One MGK-503 Skat active/passive sonar suite
One Pelamida towed sonar array
Two Akula flank arrays
One MG-70 mine detection sonar
Countermeasures:
Bukhta ESM/ECM system
Two MG-74 Korund noise simulation decoys
One MT-70 sonar intercept reciever
Nikhrom-M IFF systemm
Ships:
K.239 Karp, Commissioned June 1987, decommissioned 1997.
K.276 Krab, Commissioned September 1984, decommissioned 1997.
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David
Sat January 3, 2004 10:24pm
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Victor III Class Nuclear
Function: Nuclear powered attack submarine.
History: The Project 671RTM class (NATO Victor III) nuclear attack submarine (SSN) was designed based off of information delivered to the Soviet Union via the Walker spy ring. The documents delivered by the Walker family compromised every aspect of the American navy's antisubmarine warfare program. What these documents revealed was just how badly outclassed the Soviets were in submarine warfare. The current Soviet production submarines, the Pr. 671RT, were shown to be so noisy that not only was the US Navy able to maintain a "real time" position fix on these submarines, but that their own noise levels defeated the effectiveness of their own offensive sensors. In effect, had war between the Soviet Union and the United States been initiated, the Soviet submarine fleet would have been decimated.
The information provided by the Walker spies changed all this. Following their disclosures, the Soviet navy initiated a crash program to quiet its current fleet of submarines as well as improve their offensive capabilities, which were still based on World War Two technology. Designated the Pr. 671RTM, this new series would incorporate rafted and insulated machinery, a brand new sonar suite which emphasized passive detection capabilities as well as new twin flank arrays and a new towed sonar array. Improvements would be made in the processing of this additional sonar information, culminating with the development of an integrated combat system for the Pr. 671RTMK series (this was made possible through the acquisition of a Norwegian navy software program and Toshiba computer components). Externally similar to the Pr. 671RTM, the 671RTMK incorporates, among other improvements, the non acoustic sensor complex built for the Pr. 971 boats. The 671RTM/RTMK hulls were armed with four bow mounted 53cm torpedo tubes and four bow mounted 65cm torpedo tubes. Unlike the Pr. 685 submarines, the Barrakuda had a large torpedo room with a capacity for 40 weapons, including 53 and 65cm wake following and wire guided torpedoes, BA-111 Shkval underwater rockets, P-100 anti-ship missiles, RPK-6 rocket delivered nuclear depth charges, and RPK-7 rocket delivered homing torpedoes.
Deployed roughly at the same time as the American Improved Los Angeles class fast attack submarines, the 671RTM boats were comparable with the much earlier Permit class American Submarines while the 671RTMK were the equivalent to the later Sturgeon class in terms of performance. Production was stopped at 26 submarines with 14 still in limited service. The remaining 671RTM series submarines will be withdrawn from service once their reactor life has been exhausted.
General Characteristics, K.138 (Victor III) Class
Builders:
Krasnoye Soromovo Zavod 112, Nizhniy Novgorod
Power Plant:
Two VM-4T rated at 72 Megawatts each, two steam turbines, one shaft with one VRSh-7 controllable pitch screw or two VRSh-4 screws on a single shaft, 31,000 shaft horsepower
Length, Overall:
351.6 feet (107.2 meters)
Beam:
35.4 feet (10.8 meters)
Draft:
24.2 feet (7.4 meters)
Displacement:
6,990 tons submerged
Speed:
30 knots submerged
Crew:
27 Officers; 73 Enlisted
Maximum Safe Diving Depth:
1,150 feet
Armament:
Four bow mounted 53cm torpedo tubes
Two bow mounted 65cm torpedo tubes
P-100 Oniks (NATO SS-N-22 SUNBURN) anti-ship missiles
Two RPK-2 Viyoga (NATO SS-N-16 STARFISH) rocket delivered nuclear depth charges or two S-10 Granet (NATO SS-N-21 SAMPSON) strategic cruise missiles
Six RPK-7 Vodopei (NATO SS-N-16 STALLION) rocket delivered homing torpedoes (ASW variant)
Six P-100 Oniks (NATO SS-N-22 SUNBURN) anti-ship missiles (ASuW variant)
BA-111 Shkval underwater rockets
Type 53-65K torpedoes
SET-65 torpedoes
TEST-68 wire guided torpedoes
Sensors:
Vodopod combat direction system (671RTM)
Viking combat direction system (671RTMK)
Radar:
One MRK-50 Topol surface search radar
One Medvyedista-671 navigation radar
Sonar:
One MGK-400 Rubikon active/passive sonar suite
Two Akula flank arrays One Pithon towed array
One MG-24 Luch mine detection sonar
Countermeasures:
Bulava ESM/ECM system
Two MG-74 Korund noise simulation decoys
One MT-70 sonar intercept receiver
Nikhrom-M IFF system
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David
Sat January 3, 2004 10:24pm
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Alpha Class Nuclear Attac
Function: Nuclear powered attack submarine.
History: The K.377 class (or zolotaya ruba, meaning "Golden Fish") nuclear attack submarine (SSN) was initiated in 1957 as a purpose built carrier battle group "interceptor." Designated Project 705, the Lyra was built to wait in port until offshore sensors detected the approach of enemy carrier battlegroups, at which time the crew would board the submarine and, vectored toward the approaching enemy fleet by ground controllers, make a high speed attack run using 53cm torpedoes. To meet these requirements, the submarine had to be fast, which in turn, required it to be small and powerful. To this end, everything was sacrificed in the name of reducing the hull's "wetted" area (that portion of the submarine in contact with the water), displaced weight and maximizing the its power output. To save on weight the reactor was designed to run automatically and sealed off from the rest of the ship by a single bulkhead. To increase power, a design cooled by liquid metal (sodium) was selected over a more conventional water cooled model. Because the Pr. 705 would not be used for extended patrols at sea, many of its systems were automated, and the crew was slashed to 29-43 officers. Lastly, in order to improve diving depth and reduce weight, a revolutionary titanium alloy was used in constructing the hull.
Unfortunately, the technology required to fabricate titanium on such a scale did not exist at the time and it was not until 1965 that the design was ready for production. Furthermore, by the time the Pr. 705 submarines were ready for production, the primary threat to the Soviet Union, and the whole reason for the class' existence, had shifted from the carrier battlegroup to the ballistic missile submarine. Nonetheless, production continued and eventually 7 submarines were built. Hated by the Soviet Navy as well as the crews aboard them, the 705's were so obsolete by the time they entered service that there was never any serious indication that they would ever be deployed. Because their automated systems were susceptible to damage by exposure to radiation the reactor systems were unreliable and it is believed that 4 of the 7 suffered reactor failures. Eventually the submarines were deemed to dangerous to be tolerated and all were pulled from service by 1995. Roughly equivalent to the American 1957 USS Seawolf (the only American submarine to use a liquid metal reactor) in design philosophy, by the time they were launched the Lyra I class submarines were hopelessly outclassed by current American SSNs.
General Characteristics, Lyra I Class
Builders:
Admiralty Yard, Leningrad Sevmashpredpriyatiye, Severodvinshk
Power Plant:
One BM-40A or OK.550 rated at 155 Megawatts, one OK.7 steam turbine, one shaft with one VRSh-5 controllable pitch screw, 47,000 shaft horsepower
Length, Overall:
260.8 feet (79.5 meters)
Beam:
31.2 feet (9.5 meters)
Draft:
22.6 feet (6.9 meters)
Displacement:
4,320 tons submerged
Speed:
43 knots submerged
Crew:
29 - 43 Officers
Maximum Safe Diving Depth:
1,150 feet
Armament:
Six bow mounted 53cm torpedo tubes
53-65K torpedoes
SET-65 torpedoes
Sensors:
Accord combat direction system
Leningrad-705 fire control system
Radar:
One MRK.50 Topol surface search radar
One Sozh navigation radar
Sonar:
One Okean active/passive sonar suite
One MG-24 Luch mine detection sonar
Countermeasures:
Bukhta ESM/ECM system
Two MG-74 Korund noise simulation decoys
One Yenisei sonar intercept reciever
Khrom-KM IFF system
Ships:
K.377, commissioned 1972, suffered reactor accident during sea trials, dismantled immediatly thereafter.
K.316, commissioned 1979, reactor destroyed in 1982 when coolant solidified. Dismantled in 1985.
K.373, commissioned in 1978, suffered reactor meltdown. Hull cut in half and forward half used as experimental test bed.
K.123, launched in 1977, liquid metal coolant contaminated engine compartment in 1982. New engine compartment installed and submarine was finally comissioned in 1991. Redesignated B.123, served as a floating pier until decommissioned in 1995.
K.432, commissioned in 1982, struck a whale during sea trials. Repairs completed in 1988 but never recommissioned. Dismantled in 1993.
K.463, commissioned in 1982, suffered unspecified reactor accident. Engine compartment decontaminated and a VM-4 conventional water cooled plant from a Pr. 671B submarine installed sometime after 1986. Served as a test bed until scrapped in 1994.
K.493, commissioned in 1983, was re-engined with a VM-4 conventional water cooled plant and served as a training ship for submariners. Reactor has since been removed and hull is awaiting scrapping in St. Petersburg.
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David
Sat January 3, 2004 10:24pm
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Sierra II Class Nuclear A
Function: Nuclear powered attack submarine.
History: The Sierra II class nuclear attack submarine (SSN) is essentially an improved version of the Pr. 945 "Barrakuda" design, incorporating a number of technological improvements. Designated Project 945A "Kondor," the 945A submarines incorporates an advanced "US style" bow mounted spherical sonar array, which required moving the bow mounted torpedo tubes amidships and angling them outward, a method initiated by the Americans years earlier. In addition, the sail was redesigned, being lengthened by almost 20 feet and flattened, to give it a more streamlined appearance. All masts, sensors, and hatches were moved to the starboard side so that two, rather than one, rescue trunks, could be attached. The 945A retain the same armament of the original Pr. 945 series, which included two internal 53cm torpedo tubes, two external 53cm torpedo tubes, and four internally mounted 65cm torpedo tubes capable of launching 53 and 65cm wake following and wire guided torpedoes, BA-111 Shkval underwater rockets, P-100 anti-ship missiles, RPK-6 rocket delivered nuclear depth charges, RPK-7 rocket delivered homing torpedoes and the S-10 Granat strategic cruise missile.
Construction of the Zubatka class was severely curtailed by the collapse of the Soviet Union. Only two submarines were actually built and the last three which were to be modified and re classed as Project 945B "Mars" boats, were scrapped prior to construction. In addition, the Soviet navy had come to the realization that it lacked the production capabilities to continue producing titanium hulled submarines and so committed itself to the production of the steel hulled Project 971 "Bars" submarines instead.
Deployed roughly at the same time as the American Improved Los Angeles class fast attack submarines, the 945A boats were comparable with the 688I boats in terms of radiated noise at very low speeds but this performance fell away rapidly as speed increased. In addition, the performance of the 945A submarines deteriorated rapidly as the submarines aged. Both Zubatka class submarines were decommissioned in 1997 as a result of high operating costs.
General Characteristics, Karp Class
Builders:
Krasnoye Soromovo Zavod 112, Nizhniy Novgorod
Power Plant:
One OKB-650B-5 rated at 190 Megawatts, two steam turbines, one shaft with one VRSh-7 controllable pitch screw, 47,000 shaft horsepower
Length, Overall:
370 feet (112.8 meters)
Beam:
36.7 feet (11.2 meters)
Draft:
27.9 feet (8.5 meters)
Displacement:
7,100 tons submerged
Speed:
35 knots submerged
Crew:
31 Officers, 28 Enlisted
Maximum Safe Diving Depth:
2,300 feet
Armament:
Two internal 53cm torpedo tubes
Two external 53cm torpedo tubes
Four internal 65cm torpedo tubes
S-10 Granet (NATO SS-N-21 SAMPSON) strategic cruise missiles
P-100 Oniks (NATO SS-N-22 SUNBURN) anti-ship missiles
Two RPK-6 Vodopod (NATO SS-N-16 STALLION) rocket delivered nuclear depth charges
RPK-7 Vodopei (NATO SS-N-16 STALLION) rocket delivered homing torpedoes
BA-111 Shkval underwater rockets
Type 65-76 torpedoes
SET-72 torpedoes
TEST-71M torpedoes
USET-80 torpedoes
Sensors:
Vspletsk combat direction system
Radar:
One Chiblis surface search radar
One Medvyedista-945 navigation radar
Sonar:
One MGK-503 Skat active/passive sonar suite
One Pelamida towed sonar array
Two Akula flank arrays
One MG-70 mine detection sonar
Countermeasures:
Bukhta ESM/ECM system
Two MG-74 Korund noise simulation decoys
One MT-70 sonar intercept reciever
Nikhrom-M IFF system
Ships:
K.534 Zubatka, Commissioned 1992, decommissioned 1997.
K.336 Okun, Commissioned 1993, decommissioned 1997.
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David
Sat January 3, 2004 10:35pm
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T-ATF - Powhatan Class Fl
Function: Seven ocean-going tugs are operated by Military Sealift Command and provide the U.S. Navy with towing service, and when augmented by Navy divers, assist in the recovery of downed aircraft and ships.
History: Fleet tugs are used to tow ships, barges and targets for gunnery exercises. They are also used as platforms for salvage and diving work, as participants in naval exercises, to conduct search and rescue missions, to aid in the clean up of oil spills and ocean accidents, and to provide fire fighting assistance. USNS Apache (T-ATF 172) is the last of the Powhatan class of ocean tugs delivered to the Navy in 1981.
Description: Each vessel is equipped with 10 ton capacity crane and a bollard pull of at least 54 tons. A deck grid is fitted aft which contains 1 inch bolt receptacles spaced 24 inches apart. This allows for the bolting down of a wide variety of portable equipment. There are two GPH fire pumps supplying three fire monitors with up to 2,200 gallons of foam per minute. A deep module can be embarked to support naval salvage teams.
General Characteristics, Powhatan Class
Builders:
Marinette Marine Corporation, Marinette, WI
Power Plant:
Two GM EMD 20-645F7B diesels; 5.73 MW sustained; two shafts; Kort nozzles (except on Powhatan and one other); cp props; bow thruster; 300 hp (224 kW)
Length, Overall:
226 feet (68.88 meters)
Beam:
42 feet (12.80 meters)
Displacement:
2,260 long tons (2,296.27 metric tons) full load
Speed:
14.5 knots (16.69 mph, 26.86)
Crew:
16 civilians and 4 naval communications technicians
Ships:
USNS Powhatan (T-ATF 166)
USNS Narragansett (T-ATF 167)
USNS Catawba (T-ATF 168)
USNS Navajo (T-ATF 169)
USNS Mohawk (T-ATF 170)
USNS Sioux (T-ATF 171)
USNS Apache (T-ATF 172)
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David
Sat January 3, 2004 10:35pm
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ARS - Safeguard Class Res
Function: Rescue and salvage ships render assistance to disabled ships, provide towing, salvage, diving, firefighting and heavy lift capabilities.
History: Fleet tugs are used to tow ships, barges and targets for gunnery exercises. They are also used as platforms for salvage and diving work, as participants in naval exercises, to conduct search and rescue missions, to aid in the clean up of oil spills and ocean accidents, and to provide fire fighting assistance. USNS Apache (T-ATF 172) is the last of the Powhatan class of ocean tugs delivered to the Navy in 1981.
Description: The mission of the rescue and salvage ships is four-fold: to debeach stranded vessels, heavy lift capability from ocean depths, towing of other vessels, and manned diving operations. For rescue missions, these ships are equipped with fire monitors forward and amidships which can deliver either firefighting foam or sea water. The salvage holds of these ships are outfitted with portable equipment to provide assistance to other vessels in dewatering, patching, supply of electrical power and other essential service required to return a disabled ship to an operating condition. The U.S. Navy has responsibility for salvaging U.S. government-owned ships and, when it is in the best interests of the United States, privately-owned vessels as well. The rugged construction of these steel-hulled ships, combined with speed and endurance, make these rescue and salvage ships well-suited for rescue/salvage operations of Navy and commercial shipping throughout the world. The versatility of this class of ship adds immeasurably to the capabilities of the U.S. Navy with regard to rendering assistance to those in peril on the high seas.
General Characteristics, Safeguard Class
Builders:
Peterson Builders
Power Plant:
Four Caterpiller 399 Diesels, two shafts, 4,200 horsepower
Length, Overall:
255 feet (77.72 meters)
Beam:
51 feet (15.54 meters)
Draft:
16 feet 9 inches (5.11 meters)
Displacement:
3,282 long tons (3,334.67 metric tons) full load
Speed:
14 knots (16.11 miles, 25.93 km,
per hour)
Crew:
6 officers, 94 enlisted
Endurance:
8,000 miles (12,872 km) at 8 knots (14.824 km/hr)
Salvage Capability:
7.5-ton capacity boom forward; 40-ton capacity boom aft
Heavy Lift:
Capable of a hauling force of 150 tons
Diving Depth:
190 feet (57.91 meters), using air
Armament:
2 .50 caliber machine guns
2 Mk-38 25mm guns
Ships:
USS Safeguard (ARS 50), Pearl Harbor, HI
USS Grasp (ARS 51), Little Creek, VA
USS Salvor (ARS 52), Pearl Harbor, HI
USS Grapple (ARS 53), Little Creek, VA
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David
Sat January 3, 2004 10:35pm
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T-AVB - Wright Class Avia
Function: Two aviation logistics support ships are assigned to the Military Sealift Command Maritime Prepositioning Program. They carry aviation maintenance equipment in support of U.S. Marine Corps fixed and rotary wing aircraft.
History: SS Wright and SS Curtiss are outfitted with both a stern ramp and side ports. Their roll-on/roll-off deck runs the complete length of the ship. When outfitted with mobile facilities, the ships can service aircraft while anchored offshore.
Description: The mission of the rescue and salvage ships is four-fold: to debeach stranded vessels, heavy lift capability from ocean depths, towing of other vessels, and manned diving operations. For rescue missions, these ships are equipped with fire monitors forward and amidships which can deliver either firefighting foam or sea water. The salvage holds of these ships are outfitted with portable equipment to provide assistance to other vessels in dewatering, patching, supply of electrical power and other essential service required to return a disabled ship to an operating condition. The U.S. Navy has responsibility for salvaging U.S. government-owned ships and, when it is in the best interests of the United States, privately-owned vessels as well. The rugged construction of these steel-hulled ships, combined with speed and endurance, make these rescue and salvage ships well-suited for rescue/salvage operations of Navy and commercial shipping throughout the world. The versatility of this class of ship adds immeasurably to the capabilities of the U.S. Navy with regard to rendering assistance to those in peril on the high seas.
General Characteristics, Wright Class
Builders:
Todd Shipyards, Galveston, TX
Power Plant:
Two combustion engineering boilers; two GE turbines; 30,000 hp; one shaft
Length, Overall:
602 feet (183.49 meters)
Beam:
90.2 feet (27.49 meters)
Measurement:
11,757 dead weight tons
Displacement:
23,872 long tons (24,255.1 metric tons) full load
Speed:
21 knots (24.17 mph, 38.90 kph)
Crew:
37 crew and one Aircraft Maintenance Detachment totaling 362 men
Ships:
SS Wright (ex-SS Young America) (T-AVB 3)
SS Curtiss (ex-SS Great Republic) (T-AVB 4)
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David
Sat January 3, 2004 11:51pm
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Diver Propulsion Device (
Function: To provide enhanced combat diver performance and survivability in amphibious reconnaissance operations.
Background: The mission of the Marine Corps reconnaissance underwater combat diver has expanded to include closed-circuit underwater diving. This expanded operational role will require reconnaissance Marines to use additional equipment in order to complete their missions. The DPD will be fielded to satisfy this need.
Description: The DPD is a man-portable device capable of propelling a diver at one knot. It has enough power to last the duration of the diver's O2 canister. Power is provided by rechargable gel-cel lead oxide batteries connected to two drive motors. The DPD will capitalize on the stealth of Over-The-Horizon (OTH) operations. Diver survivability and mission accomplishment will be improved by the use of a propulsion unit allowing the diver to conserve energy. The DPD will also provide a platform for real-time intelligence collection, while decreasing the possibility of detection by allowing the diver to stay submerged.
General Characteristics, Diver Propulsion Device
Manufacturer:
Coastal Systems Station
Using Units:
Select deployed MAGTF (SOC) elements
Speed:
1 knot
Endurance:
200 minutes
Weight:
165 pounds
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David
Sun January 4, 2004 12:31am
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Deep Submergence Rescue V
Function: Deep submergence rescue vehicle.
History: DSRVs were developed as a result of the USS Thresher submarine accident in 1963, when all hands were lost. At the time, submarine operating depths greatly exceeded the capabilities of rescue vessels. The Deep Submergence Systems Project contracted with Lockheed Missiles and Space, Co. to produce a deep diving rescue submarine, the first of which was launched in 1970.
Description: The primary mission of the DSRV is to provide a quick reaction, worldwide, all-weather capability to rescue personnel from submerged, disabled submarines (DISSUB) of the U.S. Navy or foreign navies at depths up to 2000 feet. The maximum operating depth is approximately 5000 feet. Mystic can be transported by truck, aircraft, surface ship, or on a mother submarine. For a rescue operation, it can dive, locate the DISSUB, and attach itself to the DISSUB's rescue seat. After the DSRV is properly attached to the submarine, the DISSUB's access hatches are opened and submarine personnel can directly the DSRV. The DSRV then detaches from the submarine and transfers the rescued personnel to the support ship.
General Characteristics, DSRV
Builders:
Lockheed Missiles and Space Company, Sunnyvale, CA
Power Plant:
Electric motors, silver/zinc batteries,
1 shaft, 15 shaft horsepower, 4 thrusters, 7.5 horsepower
Length, Overall:
49 feet (14.94 meters)
Beam:
8 feet (2.44 meters)
Displacement:
38 long tons (38.61 metric tons)
Speed:
4 kts (4.6 mph, 7.40 kph)
Maximum Operating Depth:
5,000 feet (1524 meters)
Crew:
2 pilots, 2 rescue personnel and capacity for 24 passengers
Sonar:
Deep submergence obstacle avoidance sonar (DSOAS): 27 kHz, (8,000 yard range)
Downward looking sonar (DLS): Sonar for hatch mating 500 kHz (600 ft. range)
Altitude/depth sonar(A/D): 24 kHz SONAR 0-5,000 ft. range)
UQC, 8 kHz, Voice and CW (ATM 504)
Directional listening hydrophone tuned to 3.5 kHz
Side looking sonar (installed for alternate mission), 1 ft. resolution, 183 kHz; maximum range 1200 ft. either side (2400 ft. total)
Equipment:
One gripper/cutter designed to clear debris from hatch; capable of cutting steel cable and lifting 1000 lbs.
Ships:
Mystic (DSRV-1) deployed 1970
Avalon (DSRV-2) deployed 1971
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David
Tue June 14, 2005 7:07am
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DIVING IN OIL POLLUTED WA
DIVING IN OIL POLLUTED WATERS 14 MAR 91
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David
Tue August 9, 2005 12:35pm
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USS Franklin CV 13 31 Jan
USS Franklin CV 13 31 Jan 1944 17 Feb 1947
In the Elizabeth River, off Norfolk, Virginia, 21 February 1944.
displacement: 27,100 tons
length: 872 feet
beam: 93 feet; extreme width at flight deck: 147? feet
draft: 28 feet 7 inches
speed: 33 knots
complement: 3,448 crew
armament: 12 five-inch guns
class: Essex
The fifth Franklin (CV 13) was launched by Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co., Newport News, Va., on 14 October 1943; sponsored by Lt. Cmdr. Mildred A. McAfee, USNR, Director of the WAVES; and commissioned on 31 January 1944, with Captain James M. Shoemaker in command.
Franklin cruised to Trinidad for shakedown and soon thereafter departed in Task Group (TG) 27.7 for San Diego to engage in intensive training exercises preliminary to combat duty. In June she sailed via Pearl Harbor for Eniwetok where she joined TG 58.2.
On the last day of June 1944 she sortied for carrier strikes on the Bonins in support of the subsequent Marianas assault. Her planes scored well against aircraft on the ground and in the air as well as against gun installations, airfield and enemy shipping. On 4 July strikes were launched against Iwo Jima, Chichi Jima and Ha Ha Jima with her planes battering the land, sinking a large cargo vessel in the harbor and firing three smaller ships.
On 6 July she began strikes on Guam and Rota to soften up for the invasion forces, and continued until the 21st when she lent direct support to enable safe landing of the first assault waves. Two days of replenishment at Saipan permitted her to steam in Task Force (TF) 58 for photographic reconnaissance and air strikes against the islands of the Palau group. Her planes effected their mission on the 25th and 26th, exacting a heavy toll in enemy planes, ground installations, and shipping. She departed on 28 July en route to Saipan and the following day shifted to TG 68.1.
Although high seas prevented taking on needed bombs and rockets, Franklin steamed for another raid against the Bonins. The 4th of August 1944 bode well, for her fighters launched against Chichi Jima and her dive bombers and torpedo planes against a convoy north of Ototo Jima rained destruction against the radio stations, seaplane base, airstrips and ships.
A period of upkeep and recreation from 9 to 28 August ensued at Eniwetok before she departed in company with carriers USS Enterprise (CV-6), USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24) and USS San Jacinto (CVL-30) for neutralization and diversionary attacks aga inst the Bonins. From 31 August to 2 September spirited and productive strikes from Franklin inflicted much ground damage, sank two cargo ships, bagged numerous enemy planes in flight, and accomplished photographic survey.
On 4 September 1944, she onloaded supplies at Saipan and steamed in TG 38.4 for an attack against Yap (3-6 September) which included direct air coverage of the Peleliu invasion on the 16th. The group took on supplies at Manus Island from 21-25 September.
Franklin, as flagship of TG 38.4, returned to the Palau area where she launched daily patrols and night fighters. On 9 October she rendezvoused with carrier groups cooperating in air strikes in support of the coming occupation of Leyte. At twilight on the 13th, the Task Group came under attack by four bombers and Franklin twice was narrowly missed by torpedoes. An enemy plane crashed Franklin's deck abaft the island structure, slid across the deck and into the water on her starboard beam.
Early on October 14, a fighter sweep was made against Aparri, Luzon, following which she steamed to the east of Luzon to neutralize installations to the east prior to invasion landings on Leyte. On the 16th she was attacked by three enemy planes, one of which scored with a bomb that hit the after outboard corner of the deck edge elevator, killing three and wounding 22. The tenacious carrier continued her daily operations hitting hard at Manila Bay on 19 October when her planes sank a number of ships, damaged many, destroyed a floating drydock, and bagged 11 planes.
During the initial landings on Leyte (20 October 1944), her aircraft hit surrounding air strips, and launched search patrols in anticipation of the approach of a reported enemy attack force. On the morning of 24 October her planes sank a destroyer and damaged two others. Franklin, with Task Groups 38.4, 38.3, and 38.2, sped to intercept the advancing Japanese carrier force and attack at dawn. Franklin's four strike groups combined with those from the other carriers in sending to the bottom four Japanese carriers, and battering their screens.
Retiring in her task group to refuel, she returned to the Leyte action on 27 October, her planes concentrating on a heavy cruiser and two destroyers south of Mindoro. She was underway about 1,000 miles off Samar on 30 October when enemy bombers appeared bent on a suicide mission. Three doggedly pursued Franklin, the first plummeting off her starboard side; the second hitting the flight deck and crashing through to the gallery deck, showering destruction, killing 56 and wounding 60; the third discharging another near miss at Franklin before diving into the flight deck of Belleau Wood.
Both carriers retired to Ulithi for temporary repairs and Franklin proceeded to Puget Sound Navy Yard arriving 28 November 1944 for battle damage overhaul.
She departed Bremerton on 2 February 1945 and after training exercises and pilot qualification joined TG 58.2 for strikes on the Japanese homeland in support of the Okinawa landings. On 15 March she rendezvoused with TF 58 units and 3 days later launched sweeps and strikes against Kagoshima and Izumi on southern Kyushu.
Before dawn on 19 March 1945 Franklin who had maneuvered closer to the Japanese mainland than had any other U.S. carrier during the war, launched a fighter sweep against Honshu and later a strike against shipping in Kobe Harbor. Suddenly, a single enemy plane pierced the cloud cover and made a low level run on the gallant ship to drop two semi-armor piercing bombs. One struck the flight deck centerline, penetrating to the hangar deck, effecting destruction and igniting fires through the second and third decks, and knocking out the combat information center and airplot. The second hit aft, tearing through two decks and fanning fires which triggered ammunition, bombs and rockets.
Franklin, within 50 miles of the Japanese mainland, lay dead in the water, took a 13? starboard list, lost all radio communications, and broiled under the heat from enveloping fires. Many of the crew were blown overboard, driven off by fire, killed or wounded, but the 106 officers and 604 enlisted who voluntarily remained saved their ship through sheer valor and tenacity. The casualties totaled 724 killed and 265 wounded, and would have far exceeded this number except for the heroic work of many survivors. Among these were Medal of Honor winners, Lt. Cmdr. Joseph T. O'Callahan, S. J., USNR, the ship's chaplain, who administered the last rites organized and directed firefighting and rescue parties and led men below to wet down magazines that threatened to explode, and Lt. (j.g.) Donald Gary who discovered 300 men trapped in a blackened mess compartment, and finding an exit returned repeatedly to lead groups to safety. USS Santa Fe (CL-60) similarly rendered vital assistance in rescuing crewmen from the sea and closing Franklin to take off the numerous wounded.
Franklin was taken in tow by USS Pittsburgh (CA 72) until she managed to churn up speed to 14 knots and proceed to Pearl Harbor where a cleanup job permitted her to sail under her own power to Brooklyn, N.Y., arriving on 28 April. Following the end of the war, Franklin was opened to the public for Navy Day celebrations and on 17 February 1947, the ship was placed out of commission at Bayonne, N.J. On 15 May 1959 she was reclassified AVT 8.
Franklin received four battle stars for World War II service.
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