Posted on Oct 30, 2017
Is It Time for the U.S. Navy to Start Building Non-Nuclear Stealth Submarines?
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Seems worth a shot CDR (Join to see) LCDR (Join to see) LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow LT Brad McInnis CMDCM Gene Treants PO3 Steven Sherrill
Is It Time for the U.S. Navy to Start Building Non-Nuclear Stealth Submarines?
Posted from nationalinterest.org
Submarines
Shipbuilding
Strategy
Posted 7 y ago
Responses: 5
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I totally agree with the comments by both LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow and LT Brad McInnis, however, I do remember hunting some very quiet subs! Stealth has a lot to be said for it in time of war and let's face it, submarines are at war from the time they leave the pier until they return. If you don't understand this then stop reading now!
I have long wondered why we do not have conventional submarines in the USN. Cost v capability and numbers make this almost a no-brainer. Yes, they do have to surface at times to recharge batteries, but not like the WWII boats. Fuel, yes they do need to refuel, but so do surface ships, so what! Training is going to be a little different and a lot faster than nuc boats, NO NUC SCHOOL for everyone remotely involved in operation! YEAH! (Can we train bubbleheads without the ghost of HGR looking over their shoulders?)
This is an idea that may be long overdue in our Navy. Time to think outside the box people! (or pressure hull!)
I have long wondered why we do not have conventional submarines in the USN. Cost v capability and numbers make this almost a no-brainer. Yes, they do have to surface at times to recharge batteries, but not like the WWII boats. Fuel, yes they do need to refuel, but so do surface ships, so what! Training is going to be a little different and a lot faster than nuc boats, NO NUC SCHOOL for everyone remotely involved in operation! YEAH! (Can we train bubbleheads without the ghost of HGR looking over their shoulders?)
This is an idea that may be long overdue in our Navy. Time to think outside the box people! (or pressure hull!)
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Gene, I agree with everything you say, except... when a surface ship refuels, its location is already known. It is not possible for a sub to stay stealth if it has to surface to take on gas. I've deployed on two subs, both of which required stealth on station for much longer than the fuel tanks would last. So I really am not convinced.
I know most other navies, besides us, UK, France, and Russia/China are diesel, but for the roles we do, nuclear is better...
I know most other navies, besides us, UK, France, and Russia/China are diesel, but for the roles we do, nuclear is better...
CMDCM Gene Treants
Although I see your point in many applications, the diesel boats will be used as Fast Attacks in the roles I envision. As such, I really see them as part of a Battle Group more than as protectors of Boomers or long patrols. In that role, I can see 3 to 4 week as more stealth ops very useful. However, I doubt we will see any of them since the Submarine Community is of the mind that only Nuc Boats are really useful.
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The issue is fuel. Even with amazing battery tech, the batteries need recharging, and the tanks need filling. This severely limits on station time, and range a boat can go for missions. That's why we went to nuclear power in the first place.
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It sounds like a great idea, but it will always come down to manning and training.
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