Problems Pile-Up For Britain's Newest Attack Submarine

Troubled: A diagram of HMS Astute revealing its catalogue of technical complaints

Royal Navy's New £1bn Hunter-Killer Submarine 'Plagued With Design Flaws And Can't Reach Top Speed To Evade Attack' -- Daily Mail

* Hunter killer submarine HMS Astute is beset by technical problems
* Concerns have been raised over its inability to reach top speed and keep pace with new aircraft system
* Source said Astute 'has a V8 engine with a Morris Minor gearbox'
* It has also seen flooding and badly-installed equipment

The Royal Navy’s £1billion new hunter-killer submarine is unable to reach its intended speed - leaving it vulnerable to attack, it was claimed last night.

HMS Astute has been beset with technical problems, including leaks and rust, even though it has yet to even start formal service.

It emerged last night that the vessel's sea trials had been dogged with mechanical failings because of apparent design and construction flaws.

Read more ....

My Comment: This is embarrassing .... heads should be chopped off for this.

The U.S. Navy Focuses On Replacing Its Fleet Of Ohio-Class Ballistic-Missile Submarines

USS Michigan (SSBN-727). Wikipedia

Nuclear Weapons: Subway -- Mark Thompson, Time

The Navy is beginning to make the case more openly that the nation needs to get serious about replacing its fleet of Ohio-class ballistic-missile submarines.

“We have to have that submarine,” Rear Admiral Barry Bruner, the Navy’s director of undersea warfare, told the New London Day last week. That’s the hometown paper of General Dynamics’ Electric Boat, the lone U.S. shipyard building Navy subs.

The $90 billion program will refurbish only one of the nuclear triad’s three legs (the other two, both operated by the Air Force, deliver their nukes via land-based missiles and bombers, both of which also need replacing).

Read more ....

My Comment: I guess the Cold War never ended.

12 Most Advanced Nuclear Submarines In The US Navy

The Los Angeles class submarine USS San Juan arrives in Souda Bay for a port visit. She is about to be berthed next to the submarine tender USS Emory S. Land. San Juan is homeported in Groton. U.S. Navy photo by Paul Farley. (RELEASED)

The 12 Most Advanced Nuclear Submarines In The US Fleet -- Business Insider

US nuclear submarines used to be broken down into two types: attack subs, mostly USS Los Angeles class, and ballistic missile submarines largely USS Ohio class called "Boomers".

With the end of the Cold War that changed, and now the US fleet is becoming populated with Seawolf and Virginia Class subs.

Read more ....

My Comment: A neat photo gallery.

Longer Deployments For U.S. Submarines

Navy Explores Longer Submarine Deployments -- Salt Lake Tribune/AP

Groton, Conn. • The Navy is considering lengthening the standard deployment of attack submarines beyond six months as it faces rising demands with a fleet that has been shrinking since the end of the Cold War, the commander of American submarine forces told The Associated Press in an interview.

Already, attack submarines are at times asked to stay out longer than six months — extensions that can be trying for sailors who serve in tightly confined spaces with limited outside communication as members of the “silent service.”

Read more ....

My Comment: On top of these longer deployments .... for smokers it is pure hell. On the bright side, at least the submariners now have new members in their unique fraternity.

Another Gender Bias To Be Broken In The U.S. Navy

USS OHIO SSGN CONVERSION-726

Amarillo Ensign Ready To Break Gender Barrier On U.S. Sub -- Houston Chronicle

HARTFORD, Conn. — For Ensign Peggy LeGrand, the biggest concern about serving on a submarine is not spending weeks at a time in tight quarters with an entirely male crew. What worries her is the scrutiny that comes with breaking one of the last gender barriers in the U.S. military.

"I have a feeling more people will be focused on us. Our mistakes and successes will be magnified more than they deserve," said LeGrand, a 25-year-old Naval Academy graduate from Amarillo, Texas.

LeGrand is among a small group of female officers who are training at sites including Groton, Conn., to join the elite submarine force beginning later this year.

Read more ....

My Comment: I guess all the submariners will now need to hide their porn stash.

Sub Accidents Are A Common Occurence

Coastguards in Plymouth, Devon, issued a stark warning for people to stay away from the sea Photo: US NAVY

22 Submarines In Accidents During Past Decade -- The Telegraph

Nineteen major naval accidents have taken place over the past decade, involving 22 submarines.

The majority have involved American submarines.

The USS Minneapolis-St Paul became dangerously close to grounding on rocks in the River Tamar near Plymouth, Devon, and a new report has blamed human failings.

In total, there have been nine American submarine incidents, five Russian, four British, and one Chinese, Canadian, Australian and French accidents.

Read more ....

Update: US nuclear submarine: decades of disasters -- The Telegraph

My Comment: A sub accident (on average) every 6 months. These are statistics that should make everyone nervous .... especially if nuclear subs are involved.

The Cheonan Sinking Proves That North Korea's Strategy For Submarine Warfare Is Probably The Right One

The Asia-Pacific Submarine Buildup; Do They Know Something We Don’t? -- Defense Tech

Naval strategist and historian Geoffrey Till, whose recent paper on the balance of naval power in Asia we linked to last week, notices a significant boost in Asia-Pacific submarine builds and buys. Total submarine numbers are expected to increase markedly over the next two decades in Asia-Pacific waters, particularly among smaller powers where small and stealthy submarines are seen as a “force equalizer,” he writes.

Read more ....

My Comment: The sinking of the South Korean corvette The Cheonan was an eye opener experience for everyone. It shows the effectiveness of submarines against a better equipped and modern surface fleet, and when one considers the costs involved, a cheaper deterrent against a better equipped opponent. With time, I expect Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam, and other smaller nations to invest even greater sums of monies into their submariner fleet, with some even building their own subs.

Photos Of The Most Cutting-Edge Submarine Tech Ever

Navy's Most Cutting-Edge Submarine Tech Ever (Photos) -- CNET

GROTON, Conn.--In 2007, at the Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding yard in Newport News, Va.--where the first of the next-generation aircraft carrier class, the Gerald R. Ford, is currently under construction--the U.S. Navy rolled out the North Carolina, the fourth of the Virginia class of fast attack nuclear submarines.

Today, the North Carolina (SSN 777) is stationed at the New London Submarine Base here, commanded by Wes Schlauder. The Virginia is the first class of submarines to have true 21st century on-board communications, including a fiber optic Intranet, large digital screens placed throughout the ship that show what is being viewed through the periscope, and even a server room.

Read more ....

Hat Tip: Theo Spark

My Comment: Impressive .... very impressive.

Being On A U.S. Navy Submarine Is Not Going To Be The Same

Apra Harbor, Guam, May 23, 2002 — The fast attack submarine USS Salt Lake City (SSN 716) prepares to go alongside USS Frank Cable (AS 40) in Apra Harbor, Guam. Frank Cable is one of two forward-deployed submarine tenders that provide vital services to submarines while away from their homeports. The other tender is USS Emory S. Land (AS 39), forward-deployed to La Maddalena, Italy. Salt Lake City is a Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine homeported in San Diego, Calif. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Alan D. Monyelle. [020523-N-9885M-004] May 23, 2002

Plans To Allow Women And Gays, Ban Smoking Shake World Of Navy Submarines -- Washington Post

Imagine 150 fraternity brothers packed into a container the size of a three-bedroom house. Announce you are breaking hallowed traditions by taking away their cigarettes and admitting women. Then lock the doors and push the container deep into the sea, for months at a time.

That's what the Navy, after decades of contemplation and controversy, has decided to do with its Submarine Force, an elite fraternity of 13,000 active-duty sailors that has been patrolling the oceans for 110 years.

Read more ....

My Comment: My prediction .... the chain smokers will be the first to quit. Those who do not feel comfortable being around gays .... they are the next group to leave. And the last group are those men who are married to possessive and jealous women .... they will be the third group that will make the decision (or forced to) "relocate".

Finally .... when America's financial crisis causes it to finally close down it's military .... the remaining gays, non-smokers, and single individuals (who are still around) will be forced to join the unemployed.

Oceanology: Tethered Antenna Keeps Subs In Touch

There's a sub below (Image: Brooke Ocean Technology)

From New Scientist:

ROBOTIC submarines have always had trouble when it comes to picking up GPS signals and communicating with their operators. That's because radio signals do not travel far underwater. If the submarines do not surface regularly in order to check their position, they run the risk of drifting off-course.

This problem could now be solved, thanks to a wing-like antenna that piggybacks on small submarines. The antenna ascends to the surface on a tether as and when needed, enabling satellite communications, including GPS readings. It can even carry a camera to serve as a kind of periscope for the sub's controller.

Read more ....

My Comment: The interesting line in this report is the last one ....

.... the US navy is interested in using autonomous submarines to watch for seaborne attacks ....

Say Hello To The Astute, The Best Submarine In The World

Astute sits on the shiplift outside the Devonshire Dock Hall in Barrow-in-Furness, ready to be lowered into the dock. The three starboard torpedo tubes are visible on the front of the submarine

Defender Of The Realm: Britain's £1.2bn Submarine - And Typically, We Can't Afford It... -- The Daily Mail

This is the best submarine in the world. It is virtually undetectable, has reinvented the periscope and sonar, and doubles as a floating GCHQ. It also happens to be British. Its only weakness? At £1.2bn, we can't actually afford it

She could prowl the depths of the oceans without stopping for her entire 25-year lifespan, her sleek curves undetected. She generates her own oxygen and fresh water from the surrounding sea, never has to refuel and never needs to break the surface. Indeed, the only reasons for her to come up after 90 days on patrol are to restock with food and to help preserve the sanity of her crew.

Read more ....

My Comment: The Royal Navy ruled the oceans for a reason .... they developed and manufactured great ships and trained even better sailors. But in today's world money is more important than technology, well trained personnel, and having the best boat.

Restoring The USN Submarine Fleet

The Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Norfolk (SSN 714).

From The New Wars:

As we’ve been looking at this past week, Dr. Wayne Hughes and others have authored an important document titled The New Navy Fighting Machine, detailing specific proposals to rebuild the American Navy for a new century. The Fleet he suggests is one America should have been designing all last decade, while restoring numbers to a rational point matching likely budget allocations. Here’s hoping we won’t repeat the same mistake and shrink further in the 2010’s.

Read more ....

More News On The World's Submarine Fleets

Coping With The Great American SSN Shortage -- Strategy Page
UK Conservatives to delay Trident replacement by five years -- The Telegraph
Pearl Harbor to get third Virginia-class nuclear sub -- Star bulletin
Sub North Carolina to arrive at Pearl by summer -- Navy Times
Northrop Grumman Delivers New Mexico Submarine Ahead of Schedule in Record Time -- Defence Professionals
New submarine delivered to U.S. Navy -- UPI
Sixth Virginia-class submarine delivered in record time -- Janes
Israel in talks to buy 6th submarine from Germany -- Reuters
Germany Sells Another Submarine To Israel -- Economic Voice
Russia to lease nuclear submarine to India for decade: report -- China View
Russia's Nerpa nuclear sub to be 'fine-tuned' next month -- RIA Novosti
New Russian Subs Await Missiles -- Aviation Week

The Growth Of Asia's Submarine Fleets

Chinese Subs (Photo from SinoDefense Forum)

Underwater Deterrence -- Information Dissemination

I thought this was the most interesting development last week in the Pacific. From the AP.

Russia's Interfax news agency quoted an unnamed Defense Ministry official as saying Russia will sell Vietnam six diesel-electric "Project 636" Varshavyanka submarines for a total of $2 billion. The submarines are also known by their NATO nickname, "Kilos."

A quick check around the region.

Read more ....

More News On The Growth Of submarine Fleets In Asia

Vietnam Orders Russian Submarines, Fighter Jets -- CBS News
Vietnam orders Russian submarines, fighter jets -- AP
COMSUBPAC Announces Changes of Homeport -- Pacific News Center
Still a long wait until Indonesian Navy can operate more submarines -- Jakarta Post
India-made nuclear sub Arihant to ride the waves in two years new -- Domain-b.com
Powering Up Arihant -- Strategy Page
White House set to announce Taiwan arms deal -- Foreign Policy
Defence to buy equipment off the shelf -- The Australian

Run Silent Run Deep Submarines Of The Future Could Get A Communications Upgrade U.S. Navy

Run Silent Run Deep Submarines of the future could get a communications upgrade
U.S. Navy

From Popular Science:

A physicist claims that the "ghost particles" of our world could help communicate with underwater submariners.

Submariners should brace for some crazy science to match those Crazy Ivan maneuvers. A physicist says that ghost-like neutrinos that pass easily through just about everything could provide a future method of communication with deep sea submarines.

Read more ....

My Comment: This type of tech always excites me .... but if the U.S. Navy should become serious about it .... I suspect that much of this research will become classified.

Supercavitating Submarines and Possible Future Supercavitation Vehicles

From The Next Big Future:

From 2007, seapower digital has more information on the Underwater Express program. Underwater express is a DARPA project looking to create a 100 knot (110 mph) submarine that is 8 feet in diameter and 60 feet long and would not have a surface signature. It would replace a 40 knot speedboat for special forces. It would probably have a thermal power source (maybe a nuclear engine or a diesel engine) that would power water jets. A speedboat also makes a lot of noise so sonar/sound detection would not be different, but an underwater delivery would have nothing to spot on the surface and would be over twice as fast. There is the challenge of detecting obstacles and controlling the supercavitating craft when surrounded by an air pocket when sonar and sensors are useless.

Read more ....

Should We Be Worried About Russian Subs Off Our Coast?

Valiant Shield - attack submarine USS Houston (SSN 713)-periscope reading on the SS Petersburg. Photo from Wikimedia

From New Wars:

That was the attitude lately when two Russian nuclear powered Akula subs cruised off America’s coastline, an alarming reminder of old Cold War tensions. With the Navy mostly concerned with carrier warfare and shooting down the occasional ballistic missile fired by rogue states like North Korea, we should be alarmed that for the third time in a century they are ignoring the threat of the Evolutionary Submarine, as we detailed in this post from 2007:

Read more ....

My Comment: Another informative and enjoyable post from New Wars. Please keep up the good work .... every post is an education to me.

DARPA Readies An Ultra-Fast Mini-Sub

Have Bubble Will Travel via The Day

From Popsci.com:

In a world of rapidly evolving threats, every branch of the military is looking for a way to respond as quickly as possible. But whereas the Air Force, Army and Marines can simply fly to whatever hot spot flares up next, the Navy, by its very nature, still needs to sail. That's where the Underwater Express comes in.

Currently, the Navy's fastest submarine can only travel at 25 to 30 knots while submerged. But if everything goes according to plan, the Underwater Express will speed along at 100 knots, allowing the delivery of men and materiel faster than ever.

Read more ....

Update: Navy Studies Super-Speedy SEAL Sub -- War Is Boring

My Comment: From a scientific point of view, this is so cool.

Potential Submarine Breakthroughs: Four Times Faster and Super Deep Diving

From The Next Big Future:

Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, which commissions research for the Defense Department, has given Electric Boat $26 million (and another $12 million is expected) to design a vehicle that could potentially transport high-value cargo or small groups of people at 100 knots (about 115 miles an hour) in a program known as “Underwater Express". Electric Boat is part of General Dynamics.

Read more ....