USS Washington timelapse

Huntington Ingalls Industries has posted on their Facebook page a great timelapse of USS Washington (SSN 787) being hauled from its hangar and put to a floating dock. Very nice. You can se all the important devices, as always, covered with black film. Nonetheless it is great to watch.

#ilovesubmarines, #huntingtoningallsindustries, #virginiaclasssubmarine, #usnavy, #usswashington

Anson to be build

UK's government confirmed funding of the next Astute-class submarine. The fifth Astute-class submarine will be called Anson after Admiral George Anson.
#ilovesubmarines

Russina sub sinks Los Angeles-class submarine

Not so long ago news stated that an Indian Navy, Russian-build, submarine was able to "sink" American Los Angeles-class nuclear submarine. First of all congratulations. This is a fantastic propaganda news for Indian Navy. Not that I have something against them. Opportunity to train and practice finding and tracking enemy submarines is priceless and might become handy in case of any future conflicts.

Kilo-class submarines are very capable and quiet vessels. The biggest advantage over nuclear powered submarines is the ability to go extremely quiet by, literally, switching off everything. Nuclear subs cannot turn everything off, reactor must be cooled at all times and cooling system, even though quieted, makes some noise. Newest Kilo-class units are extremely quiet.

 As I said it is a great success to sunk a nuclear submarine but.... There is always a but. Los Angeles-class submarine are old vessels. This particular one was commissioned in 1983 this makes her a 34 years old vessel. Quite a lot for a submarine. I bet that Virginia-class or even better Seawolf-class submarine would never be found. Those type of exercises should be held as often as possible because it is a great opportunity for allies to train and gain experience.

I am, however, pretty sure that the outcome would have been different if it was a Virginia-class sub to take part in that kind of event.

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Dutch Navy upgrades Sealion SSK

Walrus-class submarine SSK Sealion, Zr. Ms. Zeeleeuw (S803), has joined the Royal Netherlands Navy after a major maintenance and modernization work had been done. It included the refurbishment of the CMS which is now multi-mission and multi-tasking platform. Together with that torpedoes were upgraded from MK48 ADCAP mod4 to mod7. The submarine has also been fitted with a new SHF satellite communication system. What is more the SCOUT mine and obstacle avoidance sonar received from Germany’s L-3 ELAC Nautik GmbH has been fitted in. The vessel also received new non-hull-penetrating optronic mast from L-3 KEO which enables the submarine to capture HD footage both day and night. Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft supplied and integrated the second-generation escape system HABETaS. Analox Military Systems provided Sub Aspida devices. The Dutch Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) supplied passive sonar processing systems (PSPS). Part of the programme was a new anti-corrosion treatment of the submarines’ hull.

 

 

Source1, source2, source3 

Submarine hunt in UK

Royal Navy is hunting mysterious submarine. On 22nd November BBC has informed that Royal Navy's forces are conducting activities north of Scotland, where a submarine has been detected. ASW activities are being conducted for 10 days now. 10, freaking, days. According to BBC the sub is Russian. I would not be surprised if the sub was Russian as they say. First of all submarines are very distinguishable vessels. One can name or class them by just taking info consideration distinctive features they have. What is more Russians has recently invested a lot of money to revive their submarine forces. Some of their subs are now lurking out there somewhere spying, listening, taking pictures, or as it has recently came to light, mapping underwater Internet cables. Why? Simple. To know the spot to hit where it hurts the most. I personally think war is coming. The Second Cold War is already happening under the surface of the oceans and seas. Every country able to do it, invests in submarine forces. Even UK is planning to spend more money on their sub according to PM(link) Why? Because they are secret, quiet and can be anywhere in the world quietly lurking in enemy territorial waters, or simply sitting at the bottom of the sea near strategically important targets ready to strike. You may ask why the hell a sub is north of Scotland. Answer is simple HMNB Clyde. It is a homeport of UK's nuclear subs for a long time.

Source

BAE to build Anson

BAE is going to build HMS Anson, the fifth Astute-class Royal Navy's submarine. UK's Ministry of Defence has granted £1.3bn for the fifth vessel. Royal Navy has already got two boats in service, HMS Astute and HMS Ambush and the third is undergoing sea trails. HMS Artful is going to be delivered in 2015.

HMS Astute in the shipyard.

Source

Welcome back

A lot has changed. I moved to a different country and basically turned my life up side down. Hopefully will have more time to search and post submarine news and stuff.  Currently reading a very interesting book about life on a submarine. Book "Sub. Real Life on Board with the Hidden Heroes of the Royal Navy's Silent Service" was written by Danny Dabzinger and gives in depth view into the service on a Trafalgar-class nuclear sub. Really good read. Font is big, chapters aren't very long. I recommend it to all submarine loving freak. If any of you can recommend some interesting fiction as well as nonfiction books about submarines fill free to post any in the comments section below.