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#26
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Mike Burleson
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Mar 28, 2005 14:56 PST
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Greetings and Welcome to the spring edition of Navy Review. Get ready
for some great naval history as well as navy news from around the globe.
Enjoy!!!
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LEAD STORY
For the past 50 years the diesel electric submarine has been of
secondary importance to the world’s major navies, having been eclipsed
by the nuclear attack submarine. The immense cost of nuclear power has
kept the conventional boat alive in many fleets, with even the US
considering them on occasion to bolster their diminishing sub fleet.
With the advent of air independent propulsion (AIP), many diesels can
now deploy for extended periods submerged, increasing their lethality in
future conflicts. Here we have a roundtable of current and future
conventional subs in today’s fleets.
The AGOSTA class is produced by DCN of France. The newest version, the
AGOSTA 90B is equipping the navies of France, Spain, and Pakistan. The
improved sub is 76m long, weighs 1760 tons submerged, and can dive to
350 meters. Crew complement is reduced to 36 from 54 in the original
design. Four bow 533 mm tubes can fire up to 16 missiles or torpedoes.
The missile is Exocet with a range of 50 km at subsonic speeds. It has a
165kg shaped charge warhead. The ECAN F17 mod 2 torpedo is wire guided
with a range of 20 km and a 250kg warhead. The three subs for Pakistan
are being fitted with MESMA AIP. MESMA allows for up to 3 times the
underwater endurance without surfacing, by using a mixture of ethanol
and liquid oxygen. Pakistan has constructed 3 AGOSTAs at home, and is
under license by DCN to build more for export.
DCN in partnership with IZAR of Spain also produced the SCORPENE for
export. The vessels are similar to the AGOSTA class with two versions,
the CM-2000 a conventional boat, and the AM-2000 with MESMA AIP. The
AM-2000 is 1870 tons with a length of 70 meters, compared to 61.7m and
1565 tons for the CM-2000. Chile and Malaysia have ordered 2 SCORPENEs
each, with India building 6 boats under contract.
In the 1990’s the Royal Australian Navy began what they claimed were the
most powerful non-nuclear submarines in the Pacific. The last of the 6
COLLINs class was commissioned in March 2003. They are very advanced
boats, designed in Sweden and built in Australia. Almost immediately
upon entering service, shortcomings were revealed and major upgrades are
underway, including an improved American combat system. The COLLINs has
a capacity for 22 missiles and torpedoes or 44 mines. The torpedo is the
Gould Mk 48 Mod 4 with a 267kg warhead, soon to be upgraded with the Mk
48 Mod 7 ADCAP. The missile is Sub-harpoon with a 130 km range and 227
kg warhead with subsonic speed. Submerged displacement is 2050 tons.
Sweden received 3 GOTLAND class subs in the 1990’s, constructed by
Kokums, which were the first modern subs with AIP. Stirling AIP engines
can provide up to 2 weeks of underwater cruising without snorkeling. The
GOTLANDs carry 4x533mm torpedo tube and 2x400mm tubes. The larger tubes
fire Bofors Type 613 heavyweight anti-surface torpedoes with a 240kg
warhead. The 400mm tubes fire Bofors Type 43 anti-submarine torpedoes. A
new generation weapon, the Torpedo 2000 will soon become the principle
torpedo. Up to 16 Torpedo 2000’s or 48 mines will be carried. The
Swedish government has approved the lease of one of its GOTLANDs to the
US Navy, to use in an aggressor role. The 2 navies will train to fight
ultra-quiet diesel subs in littoral waters.
The Russian KILO class is considered one of the world’s quietest
submarines. First developed in the1980’s under the old Soviet regime,
they are in service with the navies of Russia, China, Iran, India,
Poland, Romania, and Algeria. An updated version, the AMUR, is to be
fitted with AIP. Maximum diving depth of the KILO is 300 meters with a
maximum underwater speed of 20 kts. Range is 7000 miles at 7 kts. Some
vessels carry the fearsome SS-N-27 anti-ship missile which has a 450 kg
warhead and a 220 km range. An ant-aircraft missile launcher can also be
carried, with Strela-3 (SS-N-8) or Igla SAMs. Six 533mm torpedo tubes
are carried forward, with 18 torpedoes loaded or 24 mines.
The British UPHOLDER class has been purchased by Canada and renamed the
VICTORIAs. These 4 advanced boats are technically complicated vessels,
and like Australia’s COLLINs, have had their share of problems,
including a dramatic fire at sea on HMCS CHICOUTIMI. The VICTORIAs’ hull
is a classic tear-drop design 70.3 m in length, with a submerged
displacement of 2455 tons. Crew complement is 48 with ample room for 5
passengers. The fire control system includes components from the older
OBERON class, which the VICTORIA replaced. Six 533 mm bow tubes fire 18
GOULD Mk 48 Mod 4 heavyweight torpedoes. Missile firing and mine laying
capabilities have been removed in Canadian service. Surface speed is 12
kts, and 20 kts dived. Range is 8000 miles with 56 days endurance.
Germany continues its tradition as a first rate sub designer. The U-212,
four of which is building for Germany, is equipped with six torpedo
tubes. An enlarged version, the U-214, is being built for Greece, is
armed with 8 tubes. The torpedo is a heavyweight DM2A4 weapon system.
German subs now carry an advanced fuel cell AIP for silent underwater
cruising.
Israel has received 3 boats from Germany which it calls the DOLFINs,
with plans for 3 more. The DOLFINs were recently discovered to be armed
with nuclear tipped Sub-Harpoons. They come with 10 bow tubes, 4 of
which are 650mm in diameter, and capable of launching swimmer vehicles.
Torpedoes for the 6x533mm tubes are the DM2A3, which are wire guided
with a 260 kg warhead, and a maximum speed of 35 kts. Sub-Harpoon is
also carried with a conventional warhead of 227 kg and a range of 130 km
at high sub-sonic speeds.
Since its creation in the post-war years, Japan’s maritime Self-Defense
Force has produced an excellent series of conventional submarines. In
recent years, these have included tear-drop hull vessels that compare
favorably with US nuclear boats. The latest in service, the HARUSHIO,
are 2500 ton boats, reportedly capable of diving 500 meters. They have 6
tubes in the bow which fire the home-built Type 89 torpedo, and also
Sub-Harpoon. Crew complement is 75. The follow-up class will be the
OYASHIO. These are a unique design with a “leaf coil” hull built around
a powerful sonar located in the side, rather than the bow. OYASHIO is
large at over 3000 tons dived, though the crew is slightly less thanks
to greater automation. Length is 82m with a submerged speed of 20 kts.
Armament is basically unchanged from the previous class.
Conventional subs are rapidly increasing in performance and
capabilities. Likewise they are escalating is cost, some approaching the
price of nuclear boats. Manned submarines in the future may be replaced
by the new batch of unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) just as unmanned
aerial vehicles (UAVs) are replacing manned aircraft in some missions.
Such craft could use larger subs, such as converted OHIO class SSGNs, as
“motherships” to perform surveillance and attack missions in future
undersea warfare.
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FACT: The first submarine was invented by a Dutch scientist in 1622. In
a demonstration for King James II of England, the craft sailed on and
under the Thames River, propelled by oars.
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INTERNATIONAL NAVY NEWS
AUSSIE AIRCRAFT CARRIERS-The Royal Australian Navy is in discussion to
equip its planned 25,000 ton amphibious ships with V/STOL aircraft when
they are commissioned in 2010. This would give the RAN its first
carriers since HMAS MELBOURNE was decommissioned in 1982. At that time
plans were underway for the purchase of the British carrier HMS
INVINCIBLE, but this fell through after the Falklands War that same
year. The aircraft would likely be the vertol version of the F-35 Joint
Strike Fighter, and would cost $6 million more than the $70 million
dollar conventional JSF. Australia already plans to purchase 100 of the
American designed plane for its Air Force. About 20 aircraft would be
needed to equip the large warships, which may be built on a French
MISTRAL design, or a Spanish Strategic Projection Ship.
30 YEAR NAVY PLAN- In a report recently submitted to Congress, the US
Navy is committing itself to a smaller carrier fleet for the next 30
years. The plan is to maintain as few as 10 carriers, with the
conventional powered USS KENNEDY the first to go. The schedule for the
Navy’s newest flattop, the CVN-21, will be put off for a year. Two plans
include a fleet of 325 ships with 11 carriers and 45 submarines, another
for 260 ships with 10 carriers and 41 submarines. Also in the works are
12 of the $3 billion each DDX destroyers and a derivative called CGX, of
which 18 will be bought. The plan shows from 63 to 82 of the smaller and
cheaper LCS, and about 25 Sea Base ships.
BLAME FOR CANADIAN SUB FIRE-An initial finding for the fire last fall on
HMCS CHICOUTIMI places fault on the sub’s commander for allowing two
open con hatches in heavy seas. The fire claimed the life of a Canadian
sailor and injured 8 others. It is believed the fire started after a
large wave flooded into the hatches, causing a short in an electrical
junction box. The former British UPHOLDER class sub was enroute to
Canada when the disaster occurred. The class had been plagued with
electrical problems. A final report will be released as soon as April
with the possibility of a court martial for the sub’s captain and other
crewmen not unlikely.
AMERCAN SUB CREW DISIPLINED- In a related story, crew members of the
damaged sub USS SAN FRANCISCO were reduced in rank and received letters
of reprimand. Six officers were disciplined including the sub’s skipper.
While enroute to Australia on January 8, SAN FRANCISCO struck an
undersea mountain about 350 miles south of Guam. One crewman died and 23
others were injured. No court martial is planned for any of the
officers.
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STRANGE SEA TALES
The Great Naval Race of Antiquity
The dreadnaught of the classical age was the three banked galley or
trireme, introduced by the Phoenicians in the seventh century BC, and
later perfected by the Greeks. Light and easy to build, they could be
produced in large quantities. In battle, opposing fleets often numbered
150 triremes or more on each side. It was the Carthaginians who broke
with tradition by launching a 4 banked galley, which proved to be the
fastest and handiest of ancient warships. This resulted in the Tyrant of
Syracuse, who was the major naval power after the Peloponnesian War, to
respond with a “five”. The first recorded naval race in history had
begun.
The successors of Alexander the Great joined the race in 315 BC, when
Demetrius Sacker of Cities acquired not only fours and fives, but also
eights, thirteens, and finally a sixteen. A rival to Demetrius was
Lysimachus King of Thrace, who built the LEONTOPHOROS which could carry
1200 Marines. Demetrius’ son continued the race despite his nation being
near-bankrupt.
The Ptolemy’s of Egypt joined the race by building galleys with 20 and
30 banks of oars. Ptolemy IV constructed a giant catamaran with 40 banks
so massive that Plutarch described it as “buildings which are rooted in
the ground and had great difficulty putting to sea.” It was manned by
4000 rowers with a crew of 400 and 2850 Marines.
By now the contest had reached a point of absurdity, with Plutarch
admitting the forty to be “only for show”. The giant galleys had very
few fighting qualities and existed only as status symbols for the
monarchs of the day. It would take no more than a land power that
reluctantly put to sea to defend their nation and sweep away ancient
rivalries. This was Rome who would dominate the Mediterranean for the
next 500 years.
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FACT: King Minos of Crete is the Father of naval power. He organized the
first fleet in 1460 BC.
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NAVY BIOGRAPHY
SAMUEL PEPYS
Samuel Pepys (pronounced “peeps) 1633-1703, is best remembered today by
his remarkable biography of the Restoration Era during the reign of King
Charles II. He is regarded in maritime circles as one of Britain’s
ablest naval administrators. During his 30 year tenure at the
Admiralty, Pepys brought the Royal Navy to peak performance, paving the
way for great victories in later years. In 1660 Pepys was appointed to
the Naval Board as a patron to the Earl of Sandwich. Because of his
exceptional organizational skills and his success at eliminating graft,
he soon became an advisor to the Lord high Admiral, the future King
James II. During the 2nd Anglo-Dutch War of 1665-1667, he organized the
supply system which kept the navy in fighting trim. When James resigned
in 1673, Charles II took personal control of the navy, and appointed
Pepys Secretary to the Admiralty Board. With the king’s backing, he
began a series of reforms, including the introduction of examinations,
standardizing ship types, the provision of officer’s pensions, and
payments to sailors’ widows. In his attempt to eliminate corruption,
Pepys made few friends. In 1679 he was falsely accused of treason and
sent to the Tower of London. Soon the Admiralty was again in trouble,
and Pepys was recalled and granted even more authority as Secretary for
the Affairs of the Admiralty. He immediately reinstated his reforms and
began planning for a modern fleet. He was finally forced to retire after
his patron James II was ousted in the Glorious Revolution of 1688.
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FACT: As late as May 1944, the British Royal Navy issued a plan on “The
Empire’s Post-War Fleet” which stated “the basis of the strength of the
fleet is the battleship.” The plan was overruled by Winston Churchill.
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FACT: The name “cruiser” comes from a Mediterranean term “crusal” which
means fast.
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TOP NAVY NEWS OF 2004
1. Testing of the US Navy’s Fleet Response Plan in which 7 Carrier
Strike Groups were deployed simultaneously.
2. Deployment of a US Aegis warship in the Sea of Japan as part of the
ABM shield.
3. Near mutiny on the British nuclear submarine TRAFALGAR over safety
concerns.
4. Russia sends warships to join NATO anti-terrorism patrols in the
Mediterranean.
5. The fire and tragic loss of life on Canadian submarine HMCS
CHICOUTIMI while enroute from Britain.
Based on an article from www.nosi.org.
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FACT: Archimedes helped defend Syracuse from the Romans by several
ingenious devices, including huge grapnels which lifted Roman warships
and crushed them.
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SEA FIGHTS ON A SHOESTRING
Battle of Hampton Roads
After series of bizarre coincidences the USS MONITOR arrives at the
right place, right on time.
The famous Battle of Hampton Roads (March 8-9, 1862) occurred after
several strange twists of fate, especially on the Union side. When
rumors that the Confederates were building an armored vessel on the
raised hulk of the scuttled steam frigate MERRIMAK, the North acted with
little concern. The Navy placed their confidence in the power of their
powerful steam frigates, which were in fact a match for any wooden
warship in any of the world’s fleets. Work began on MONITOR only after
Navy Secretary Welles read a report on French and British ironclads. The
first Union ironclads ordered were the GALEN, NEW IRONSIDES, and
MONITOR, only the latter being revolutionary. Even so, the Navy’s
initial reaction to designer John Ericsson’s proposal was to “take the
little thing home and worship it as it would not be idolatry, because it
was made in the image of nothing in the heavens above or the earth
below, or in the waters under the earth.” Still, President Lincoln and
Secretary Welles approved the design, and construction proceeded. As
construction of the two warships continued, neither side seemed aware or
particularly concerned. Ericsson was more wary of Confederate forts and
with the British, than in a Confederate mystery ship, as he stated in a
letter dated January 20, 1862 “(T) his structure (MONITOR) will admonish
the leaders of the Southern Rebellion that the batteries on the banks of
the rivers will no longer present barriers to the entry of the Union
forces.” And concerning the British: “Downing Street will hardly view
with indifference this Yankee Notion, this MONITOR.” After her launching
it was planned to send the radical warship against Southern forces in
New Orleans. This attack proceeded without her and she was ordered to
Hampton Roads, not against the still rumored CSS VIRGINIA, but to defeat
Confederate batteries on the Potomac. She was on her way South when the
order was given on March 6. While MONITOR was enroute, VIRGINIA began
her sortie on March 8. The five wooden Union vessels on blockade duty:
CONGRESS, CUMBERLAND, ST. LAWRENCE, ROANOKE, and MINNESOTA, had little
notion of the peril bearing down on them. Under a prearranged signal the
warships maneuvered to destroy the strange vessel. Immedialty MINESSOTA
and ROANOKE ran aground. It was all that saved them. CONGRESS and
CUMBERLAND attacked first, their cannon firing against VIRGINIA’s
armored hull with no effect. The Confederates attacked CUMBERLAND first,
thinking her the greater threat. As the VIRGINIA leisurely fired her
guns, the Union vessels delivered a hail of shot that would have blown a
lesser vessel out to the water. Oblivious to the rain of destruction,
VIRGINIA rammed CUMBERLAND amidships while simultaneously firing into
her hull. The Union ship sank half an hour later with colors flying.
Confederate gunboats now joined the fray, turning their attention to
CONGRESS. This vessel beached herself to escape the blistering fire,
only to surrender later. Meanwhile, ROANOKE fled to deep water out of
range of the Confederate dreadnaught. MINNESOTA remained hard aground
and could only await destruction. Luckily for the Union, the tide had
ebbed, and VIRGINIA could get no closer than a mile, out of range for
her guns. For now she was content to retire, repair her wounds, and
renew the fight tomorrow. At 7 AM on March 9, the CSS VIRGINIA returned
to the fray. She had the entire East coast in terror, but was soon to
meet her match. After a lively journey south, MONITOR had reached
Hampton Roads the previous night. She was much smaller than the
VIRGINIA, which was to her advantage as the Confederates first shots
missed her entirely. The Union ship possessed only 2 guns to VIRGINIA’s
10, but was far more maneuverable. Both vessels attempted ramming,
though MONITOR wasn’t designed as such. The latter’s hull was so strong,
when VIRGINIA did hit her, the smaller ship simply bounced off without
damage. Neither did the guns of either vessel cause much harm. Finally
after a shot against MONITOR’s pilot house temporarily blinded her
captain, she withdrew into waters too shallow for VIRGINIA. The
Confederates were happy for the respite, and retired to Norfolk for rest
and repairs. Both sides claimed victory, though neither returned to
renew the fight. VIRGINIA was scuttled in May to avoid capture, and
MONITOR was lost in a gale off Cape Hatteras In December of that year.
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FACT: Immediately after Operation Desert Storm, Generals Colin Powell
and Norman Schwarzkopf considered holding the Iraqi surrender on the
quarterdeck of the battleship USS MISSOURI, the site of the Japanese
surrender in WW 2.
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SEA SITES
The Diary of Samuel Pepys
http://www.bibliomania.com/2/1/59/106/frameset.html
Images of Ancient Galleys
http://www.webcom.com/shownet/medea/ships/grkship1.html
Archimedes’ Claw
http://www.mcs.drexel.edu/~crorres/Archimedes/Claw/illustrations.html
Official Reports: Battle of Hampton Roads
http://www.civilwarhome.com/ironclad.htm
Until we meet again, REMEMBER OUR TROOPS!
charbo-@myway.com
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