David
Sat January 18, 2003 1:28pm
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USCGC STURGEON BAT Cleari
USCGC STURGEON BAT Clearing Ice on the Hudson
by William Kusche
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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 11:51pm
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T-AGS Survey Ships
Function: Military Sealift Command's Special Missions program supports worldwide oceanographic programs with ships which perform acoustical, biological, physical and geophysical surveys. Ships such as USNS Silas Bent (TAGS 26), USNS Kane (TAGS 27) and USNS Bowditch (TAGS 62) gather data which provides much of the military's information on the ocean environment. Oceanographic and hydrographic survey ships are used to study the world's oceans. The collected data helps to improve technology in undersea warfare and enemy ship detection. The oceanographic and hydrographic survey ships' multibeam, wide-angle precision sonar systems make it possible to continuously chart a broad strip of ocean floor. Two oceanographic ships survey the sea bottom and collect hydrographic data, charting three-fourths of the world's coastlines. USNS John McDonnell (TAGS 51) and USNS Littlehales (TAGS 52) make it easier for navigators to find their way along well-traveled and not-so-familiar shipping routes.
History: The USNS John McDonnell (TAGS 51) was laid down Aug. 3, 1989, and the USNS Littlehales (TAGS 52) on Oct. 25, 1989. The McDonnell launched Aug. 15, 1980, the Littlehales on Feb. 14, 1991. The contract for the Pathfinder class of surveying ships was awarded in January 1991 for two ships with an option for a third which was taken up May 29, 1992. A fourth ship was ordered in Oct. 1994 with an option for two more. A fifth ship was ordered Jan. 15, 1997.
Description: The Silas Bent class of surveying ships were designed specifically for surveying operations. They have a bow propulsion unit for precise maneuverability and station keeping. The John McDonnell class of survey ships carries 34-foot survey launches for data collection in coastal regions with depths between 10 and 600 m and in deep water to 4,000 m. A small diesel is used for propulsion at towing speeds of up to 6 knots. SIMRAD high-frequency active hull-mounted and side scan sonars are carried. The Pathfinder class of survey ships have three multipurpose cranes and five winches plus a variety of oceanographic equipment including multibeam echo-sounders, towed sonars and expendable sensors.
General Characteristics, Silas Bent Class
Builders:
American SB Co., Lorain/Christy Corp, Sturgeon Bay, WI
Power Plant:
Diesel-electric; two Alco diesel generators; one Westinghouse/GE motor; 3,600 horsepower (2.69 MW); one shaft; cp prop; bow thruster; 350 horsepower (261 kW)
Length, Overall:
285.3 feet (86.96 meters)
Beam:
48 feet (14.63 meters)
Displacement:
2,550 to 2,843 long tons (2,590.92 to 2,888.62 metric tons) full load
Speed:
15 knots when towing
Crew:
31 civilians (12 officers) plus 28 scientists
Ships:
USNS Silas Bent (T-AGS 26)
USNS Kane (T-AGS 27)
General Characteristics, John McDonnell Class
Builders:
Halter Marine Moss Point, MS
Power Plant:
One GM EMD 12-645E6 diesel; 2,500 horsepower (1.9 MW) sustained; one auxiliary diesel; 230 horsepower (172kW); one shaft
Length, Overall:
208 feet (63.40 meters)
Beam:
45 feet (13.72 meters)
Displacement:
2,054 long tons (2,086.96 metric tons) full load
Speed:
12 knots (13.8 mph, 22.22 kph)
Crew:
22 civilians plus 11 scientists
Ships:
USNS John McDonnell (T-AGS 51)
USNS Littlehales (T-AGS 52)
General Characteristics, Pathfinder Class
Builders:
Halter Marine Moss Point, MS
Power Plant:
Diesel-electric; four EMD/Baylor diesel generators; 11, 425 horsepower (8.52 MW); two GE CDF 1944 motors; 8,000 horsepower (5.96 MW) sustained; 6,000 horsepower (4.48 MW); two Lips Z drives; bow thruster, 1,500 horsepower (1.19 MW)
Length, Overall:
328.5 feet (100.13 meters)
Beam:
58 feet (17.68 meters)
Displacement:
4,762 long tons (4,838.42 metric tons) full load
Speed:
16 knots (18.4 mph, 29.63 kph)
Crew:
28 civilians plus 27 scientists
Ships:
USNS Pathfinder (T-AGS 60)
USNS Sumner (T-AGS 61)
USNS Bowditch (T-AGS 62)
USNS Henson (T-AGS 63)
USNS Bruce C. Heezen (T-AGS 64)
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David
Sun January 4, 2004 12:31am
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SSN637 - Sturgeon Class F
Function: America's front-line fast attack nuclear submarine during the '60s and '70s.
History: Following in the steps of the Skipjack and Permit class nuclear submarines, the Sturgeon class incorporated a a new hull design and sensor package. Larger than either of the two earlier designs while using the same reactor plant, the Sturgeon sacrificed speed for increased weapons payload and crew efficiency. Beginning with the Archerfish (SSN678) the hull was lengthened an additional 10 feet. In addition to their regular duties as anti submarine platforms, the Sturgeon class submarines were also tasked with coastal reconnaissance and electronic intelligence gathering. Furthermore, between 1982 and 1991 six 637 class boats (SSN 678-680, 682, 684, and 686) were modified to carry the SEAL Dry Deck Shelter (DDS.) The DDS is a submersible air lock and storage area allowing for the transporting, delivery and recovery of SEAL teams and all their associated equipment. The Sturgeon class submarines were slowly phased out of front line service by the faster, more capable Los Angeles class submarines during the 80's and 90's though those still in service continue to perform intelligence gathering and support special operations missions.
General Characteristics, Sturgeon Class
Builders:
General Dynamics Electric Boat Division
General Dynamics Quincy Shipbuilding Division
Ingalls Shipbuilding
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard
San Francisco Naval Shipyard
Newport News Shipbuilding
Power Plant:
One S5W nuclear reactor, two steam turbines, one shaft, 15,000 shaft horse power
Date Deployed:
March 3, 1967 (USS Sturgeon)
Length, Overall:
292 feet (89 meters)
SSN 678-687 302 feet (91.44 meters)
Beam:
32 feet (9.75 meters)
Draft:
28.8 feet
Displacement:
4,780 tons submerged
SSN 678-687 4,960 tons submerged
Speed:
20+ knots (23.02+ miles per hour, 37.05 +kph)
Crew:
12 Officers, 95 Enlisted
Armament:
Mk 48 ADCAP Torpedoes, launched from four 533mm torpedo tubes.
Harpoon anti-ship missiles (tube launched)
Tomahawk anti-ship/ land attack missiles (tube launched)
Sensors:
BSY-2 combat data system
Radar:
1 AN/BPS-14/15 navigation and fire control radar
Sonar:
1 TB-16 passive towed sonar array
1 TB-23 passive "thin line" towed sonar array
1 AN/BQG-5 wide aperture flank array
1 AN/BQQ-2/5 low frequency spherical bow sonar array
1 AN/BQS-12/13 active sonar array
1 AN/BQR-6 active sonar array (in submarines equipped with the BQQ-2)
1 AN/BQR-7 passive sonar array (in submarines equipped with the BQQ-2)
Optics:
1 Type 2 attack periscope
1 Type 18 search periscope
Countermeasures:
WLR-9 acoustic intercept receiver
WLQ-4 ESM
Ships:
USS Parche (SSN-683), Bangor, WA
USS L. Mendel Rivers (SSN-686), Norfolk, VA
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David
Sun January 4, 2004 12:31am
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SSN640 - Benjamin Frankli
Function: Benjamin Franklin class Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarine converted for special operations support.
History: Commissioned on December 10, 1965 as the second of the Benjamin Franklin class Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarines (SSBN) the USS Kamehameha served as an SSBN through 1992, conducting a total of 63 deterrent patrols. Following her withdrawl from the SSBN fleet, Kamehameha was extensivly modified to support Navy special operations missions. To create additional living space the entire ballistic missile section was removed and turned into living quarters where embarked special operations personnel could rest, train, plan operations, and maintain their equipment in relative comfort (especially when compared to the cramped quarters associated with the much smaller Sturgeon and Los Angeles class Fast Attack Submarines.) In addition, Kamehameha was modified to accommodate two Dry Deck Shelters (DDS) as well as 2 SEAL Delivery Vehicles. With the decommissioning of her sister ship, the USS James K Polk (SSN645) in 1999, the Kamehameha remains the only converted SSBN in active service.
General Characteristics, Benjamin Franklin Class
Builders:
Mare Island Naval Shipyard
Power Plant:
One S5W nuclear reactor, two steam turbines, one shaft, 15,000 shaft horse power
Date Deployed:
December 12, 1965 (USS Kamehameha)
Length, Overall:
425 feet (129.6 meters)
Beam:
33 feet (10.06 meters)
Draft:
28.8 feet
Displacement:
8,250 tons submerged
Speed:
25 knots submerged
Crew:
140
Armament:
Mk 48 ADCAP Torpedoes, launched from four 533mm torpedo tubes
Harpoon anti-ship missiles (tube launched)
Tomahawk anti-ship/ land attack missiles (launched from a 12 tube Vertical Launch System (VLS) )
Sonar:
1 AN/BQR-15 passive towed sonar array
1 AN/BQR-19 active sonar array
1 AN/BQR-7 passive sonar array
Ships:
USS Kamehameha (SSN-642), Pearl Harbor, HI
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David
Sun January 4, 2004 12:31am
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SSN671 - USS Narwhal Fast
Function: One-of-a-kind prototype built off of the Sturgeon class SSN design.
History: Literally in a class by herself, the USS Narwhal was the only submarine of the Sturgeon class to be built with a prototype natural circulation nuclear reactor. Because the natural circulation powerplant did not need noise generating pumps to circulate the reactor coolant, at the time of her construction the Narwhal was the quietest submarine in the world. Coupled with the most advanced sensors and combat systems available, the Narwhal was without peer in the performance of her duties. Given her superior performance, Narwhal was ideally suited to perform intelligence gathering eavesdropping missions; during the course of her career Narwhal deployed overseas seventeen times and was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation, three Meritorious Unit Commendations, five Battle Efficiency "E" awards, four Engineering "E" awards, the Antisubmarine Warfare "A", the Communications "C", and the Supply "E" awards.
General Characteristics, USS Narwhal
Builders:
General Dynamics Electric Boat Division
Power Plant:
One S5W nuclear reactor, two steam turbines, one shaft, 15,000 shaft horse power
Date Deployed:
July 12, 1969; decommissioned January 5, 1999
Length, Overall:
314 feet (95.7 meters)
Beam:
38 feet (11.58 meters)
Draft:
28.8 feet
Displacement:
5,350 tons submerged
Speed:
20+ knots (23.02+ miles per hour, 37.05 +kph)
Crew:
120
Armament:
Mk 48 ADCAP Torpedoes, launched from 4 533mm torpedo tubes
Harpoon anti-ship missiles (tube launched)
Tomahawk anti-ship/ land attack missiles (tube launched)
Radar:
1 AN/BPS-14/15 navigation and fire control radar
Sonar:
1 TB-16 passive towed sonar array
1 TB-23 passive "thin line" towed sonar array
1 AN/BQG-5 wide aperture flank array
1 AN/BQQ-2/5 low frequency spherical bow sonar array
1 AN/BQS-12/13 active sonar array
1 AN/BQR-6 active sonar array (in submarines equipped with the BQQ-2)
1 AN/BQR-7 passive sonar array (in submarines equipped with the BQQ-2)
Optics:
1 Type 2 attack periscope
1 Type 18 search periscope
Countermeasures:
WLR-9 acoustic intercept receiver
WLQ-4 ESM
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