The Submarine Thread
- Thread starter IDonT
- Start date
In different threads we have had discussions of subCVs or sub launching UAVs. Now I've come across something and think it may best fit in here.
Already ten years ago the USN began thinking of what UAVs can do in the future and cane across sub ops. Lockeed Martin started a project on it.
Now the shunk works seem to have proven feasibility of that project. It was r&d'ed under a DARPA contract and is known as the Cormorant MPUAV.
It is stored in VLS tubes. When released it floats to the surface where then two Tomahawk boosters accelerate it into the air. After fullfilling the mission it returns to preset coordinates and splashes into the water. Here it is retrieved by a ROV that brings it back into the sub.
The difficult part of splashing in the water already seems to have been demonstrated.
Now there is a decission ahead if to build a flying demonstrator.
However, the contract is expiring and the shunk works are looking for follow on funding.
Maybe it goes black ...
Already ten years ago the USN began thinking of what UAVs can do in the future and cane across sub ops. Lockeed Martin started a project on it.
Now the shunk works seem to have proven feasibility of that project. It was r&d'ed under a DARPA contract and is known as the Cormorant MPUAV.
It is stored in VLS tubes. When released it floats to the surface where then two Tomahawk boosters accelerate it into the air. After fullfilling the mission it returns to preset coordinates and splashes into the water. Here it is retrieved by a ROV that brings it back into the sub.
The difficult part of splashing in the water already seems to have been demonstrated.
Now there is a decission ahead if to build a flying demonstrator.
However, the contract is expiring and the shunk works are looking for follow on funding.
Maybe it goes black ...
From "UK military news"
They are both subs, though
Becuase I think such an AIP Astute might still be on the top end of SSKs (weight wise). That would mean good propuslion with perhaps less dive time, or a rather weak propuslion.
The Astutes are already rather big themselves, so I think if you sublement them you could use smaller ones.
How difficult would it be to downscale Astutes further than just removing the nuke reactor?
Well the part around the forward rudders, but to me the sail and the upper back are different.
They are both subs, though
How much weight would deleting the nuke part save?
Becuase I think such an AIP Astute might still be on the top end of SSKs (weight wise). That would mean good propuslion with perhaps less dive time, or a rather weak propuslion.
The Astutes are already rather big themselves, so I think if you sublement them you could use smaller ones.
How difficult would it be to downscale Astutes further than just removing the nuke reactor?
Pointblank
Senior Member
From "UK military news"
Well the part around the forward rudders, but to me the sail and the upper back are different.
They are both subs, though
How much weight would deleting the nuke part save?
Becuase I think such an AIP Astute might still be on the top end of SSKs (weight wise). That would mean good propuslion with perhaps less dive time, or a rather weak propuslion.
The Astutes are already rather big themselves, so I think if you sublement them you could use smaller ones.
How difficult would it be to downscale Astutes further than just removing the nuke reactor?
Well, the whole idea of having the Astute class subs larger than the existing RN SSN's is to improve crew habitability, increased endurance and to increase weapons payload. They are as big as the USN's Virginia's.
