Team Infidel
Forum Spin Doctor
Wilmington (NC) Star-News
May 4, 2008 By Amy Hotz, Staff Writer
When the battleship USS North Carolina (BB 55) was launched in 1940, it was called The Showboat. It had the biggest and baddest guns on the sea and they stood out as if to say, "Here I am, get out of my way or face the consequences."
The new USS North Carolina (SSN 777) has a completely different style. At almost half the length of the massive battleship, the submarine is more of a sneak-up-behind-you-and -blow-you-out-of-the-water kind of warship.
It's small, maneuverable and has at least one thing in common with its predecessor - plenty of bells and whistles.
During a media tour aboard the North Carolina off the coast of Cape Canaveral, Fla., the Star-News was able to see the boat in action and watch its crew go through several drills including a simulated surface attack against an "enemy" warship. The boat also submerged several hundred feet and underwent an "angles and dangles" drill, which is when the boat rises and submerges at fairly extreme angles.
It was a good opportunity to see exactly what the boat is all about and how it compares with BB 55 technology.
North Carolina is the fourth nuclear fast attack Virginia class submarine built. The class is defined by its improved stealthiness, speed and advanced weapons systems. Capt. Mark Davis, commanding officer of the North Carolina, said his sub is quieter at full speed than other submarines are sitting at the dock. Part of that stealth comes from a special, seamless rubber-like covering on the hull.
The submariners, and even the captain, wore tennis shoes while underway. Executive Officer Andrew Hertel explained that the shoes are much quieter than clunky military boots. It does not take much noise to tip off another vessel that you're nearby.
Noise was not a concern aboard the battleship. When its 16-inch guns went off, the force was so strong it moved the ship. Museum Services Director Kim Sincox said Capt. Ben Blee, intelligence officer aboard the ship, described the blasts as baseball bat hits to the chest. They would give you a headache.
"The guys told me that actually it was the five-inch guns that hurt, they had this incredible crack," Sincox said. "Still, it was better to be on this end than out there."
The nuclear reactor that propels the submarine is a major reason it's so quiet. While sitting in the mess, submariners are only about 25 feet away from the reactor. But, Hertel said, once the boat submerges, the shields are so effective the crew receives less exposure to radiation than they would if they were ashore working in a sunlit office.
The battleship was light years behind this technology. It had four engine rooms operated by two boilers each. The boilers were heated by oil, not atoms, propelling the battleship to top speeds of 28 knots.
Reactors are efficient, but few people know what the submarine's top speed is. It's classified. The Navy will tell you it exceeds 25 knots.
The sub's maximum depth is classified as well, but Capt. Davis can say it's greater than 800 feet.
Navy officers will reveal a little bit more about the weapons on board. Submarine North Carolina carries 38 weapons, which include four torpedo tubes and 12 vertical launch tubes. Battleship North Carolina has four sizes of guns aboard for a total of 137 weapons.
The launch tubes on the sub are for Tomahawks, missiles made famous during the first Gulf War for their pinpoint accuracy, effectiveness and long range. Depending on the type of Tomahawk used, its range is from 800 to 1,500 statute miles and the missiles get there at about 550 mph.
The battleship could hurl 2,000-pound shells accurately to a range of 20 miles.
Unlike the 16-inch shells, though, the sub's missiles can be used either conventionally or with a nuclear payload to hit land targets.
Hertel explained how it could take days or even months to prepare a Tomahawk for firing. After politicians decide they want to use force against an enemy, the submariners' job is, among other things, to pinpoint the target, get permission from other nations to fly the missile over the territory and warn other U.S. ships in the area that the operation is going to happen.
After all the logistics and politics are figured out though, it only takes a few minutes to actually fire the missile.
For anti-submarine or anti-ship warfare, the sub would probably use its Mk 48 torpedoes. Found only on submarines, the Mk 48 is a heavyweight acoustic-homing torpedo with sonar with an all-digital guidance and control system, digital fusing system and propulsion improvements, according to the Navy's Web site.
During the simulated torpedo firing, a tube was filled with water and a computer was programmed to make the tube "think" it was filled with a torpedo. When command and control told the torpedomen down below to fire, the pressure in the sub changed so drastically, it popped ears, like descending in an airplane. The Mk 48 weighs 3,520 pounds and moves at about 32.2 mph to a range of more than five miles. Its warhead is 650 pounds of high-explosive.
Although modern warfare has increased the number of high-tech military gadgets, some of the most effective weapons, it seems, are still well-trained people.
The new Virginia class, including the North Carolina, has made accommodations for that. It is outfitted with what the Navy calls an advanced SEAL Delivery System. After looking at it, though, most people would just call it a mini-sub.
When needed, an ASDS is attached to the top of the North Carolina, kind of like a baby monkey would hold on to its mother's back. The mini-sub makes getting to shore safer for the SEALs and it delivers them rested and better equipped.
In addition, the North Carolina is equipped with a built-in nine-man lockout trunk. The trunk fills and empties with water enabling a nine-man SEAL team to SCUBA dive to the sub and enter it without needing the boat to surface. They can also leave the sub in the same way.
The lockout trunk is still classified. No reporters were allowed to look at it.
Battleship North Carolina didn't have a SEAL team, but it did have 83 to 85 Marines aboard. They landed on the beach the old-fashioned way: They stormed it.
Defense is sometimes the best offense, and it's safe to say no sub has ever had better sonar than the Virginia class. For the first time, a submarine can actually "see" what's behind it. To do this, the North Carolina uses what's called a "towed array." This is basically an extra sonar unit that can be towed along behind the sub like a tail.
Virginia class subs are also the first to use a "chin" sonar array that is a sonar system under the bow. This, along with the sonar array on the sail, helps map the bottom of the ocean and, if necessary, minefields. The sub also has the capability to place advanced mobile naval mines.
According to Sincox, sonar was still in development when the battleship was plying the Pacific waters. It did have radar, but that was only good to detect the enemy on the ocean surface or in the air.
Even with all the advanced weapons systems and sonars aboard the sub, two things really stand out as 21st century additions. Virginia class submarines are the first to use a joystick and/or a touch screen computer for steering instead of the conventional yoke. It's maneuvered more like an airplane than a ship.
One advantage of this is that instead of needing four men to steer the boat under normal conditions, it now only needs two.
The other standout is also in the control room - or, actually, isn't. There is no periscope. In its place, engineers have developed what's called a photonics mast, basically a digital camera on a pole that has infrared capabilities. In fact, images from the photonics mast can be broadcast on monitors throughout the boat. There is even one in the wardroom so the captain can see what's on the surface while he eats his dinner, if he wants to.
Inside, this means more than one person can see what's up top - no more taking turns swinging your cap back and putting your eyes up to the eyepiece. All that "up periscope" and "down periscope" lingo is history. But informally, submariners do still call it a periscope.
Some things, apparently, never change.
May 4, 2008 By Amy Hotz, Staff Writer
When the battleship USS North Carolina (BB 55) was launched in 1940, it was called The Showboat. It had the biggest and baddest guns on the sea and they stood out as if to say, "Here I am, get out of my way or face the consequences."
The new USS North Carolina (SSN 777) has a completely different style. At almost half the length of the massive battleship, the submarine is more of a sneak-up-behind-you-and -blow-you-out-of-the-water kind of warship.
It's small, maneuverable and has at least one thing in common with its predecessor - plenty of bells and whistles.
During a media tour aboard the North Carolina off the coast of Cape Canaveral, Fla., the Star-News was able to see the boat in action and watch its crew go through several drills including a simulated surface attack against an "enemy" warship. The boat also submerged several hundred feet and underwent an "angles and dangles" drill, which is when the boat rises and submerges at fairly extreme angles.
It was a good opportunity to see exactly what the boat is all about and how it compares with BB 55 technology.
North Carolina is the fourth nuclear fast attack Virginia class submarine built. The class is defined by its improved stealthiness, speed and advanced weapons systems. Capt. Mark Davis, commanding officer of the North Carolina, said his sub is quieter at full speed than other submarines are sitting at the dock. Part of that stealth comes from a special, seamless rubber-like covering on the hull.
The submariners, and even the captain, wore tennis shoes while underway. Executive Officer Andrew Hertel explained that the shoes are much quieter than clunky military boots. It does not take much noise to tip off another vessel that you're nearby.
Noise was not a concern aboard the battleship. When its 16-inch guns went off, the force was so strong it moved the ship. Museum Services Director Kim Sincox said Capt. Ben Blee, intelligence officer aboard the ship, described the blasts as baseball bat hits to the chest. They would give you a headache.
"The guys told me that actually it was the five-inch guns that hurt, they had this incredible crack," Sincox said. "Still, it was better to be on this end than out there."
The nuclear reactor that propels the submarine is a major reason it's so quiet. While sitting in the mess, submariners are only about 25 feet away from the reactor. But, Hertel said, once the boat submerges, the shields are so effective the crew receives less exposure to radiation than they would if they were ashore working in a sunlit office.
The battleship was light years behind this technology. It had four engine rooms operated by two boilers each. The boilers were heated by oil, not atoms, propelling the battleship to top speeds of 28 knots.
Reactors are efficient, but few people know what the submarine's top speed is. It's classified. The Navy will tell you it exceeds 25 knots.
The sub's maximum depth is classified as well, but Capt. Davis can say it's greater than 800 feet.
Navy officers will reveal a little bit more about the weapons on board. Submarine North Carolina carries 38 weapons, which include four torpedo tubes and 12 vertical launch tubes. Battleship North Carolina has four sizes of guns aboard for a total of 137 weapons.
The launch tubes on the sub are for Tomahawks, missiles made famous during the first Gulf War for their pinpoint accuracy, effectiveness and long range. Depending on the type of Tomahawk used, its range is from 800 to 1,500 statute miles and the missiles get there at about 550 mph.
The battleship could hurl 2,000-pound shells accurately to a range of 20 miles.
Unlike the 16-inch shells, though, the sub's missiles can be used either conventionally or with a nuclear payload to hit land targets.
Hertel explained how it could take days or even months to prepare a Tomahawk for firing. After politicians decide they want to use force against an enemy, the submariners' job is, among other things, to pinpoint the target, get permission from other nations to fly the missile over the territory and warn other U.S. ships in the area that the operation is going to happen.
After all the logistics and politics are figured out though, it only takes a few minutes to actually fire the missile.
For anti-submarine or anti-ship warfare, the sub would probably use its Mk 48 torpedoes. Found only on submarines, the Mk 48 is a heavyweight acoustic-homing torpedo with sonar with an all-digital guidance and control system, digital fusing system and propulsion improvements, according to the Navy's Web site.
During the simulated torpedo firing, a tube was filled with water and a computer was programmed to make the tube "think" it was filled with a torpedo. When command and control told the torpedomen down below to fire, the pressure in the sub changed so drastically, it popped ears, like descending in an airplane. The Mk 48 weighs 3,520 pounds and moves at about 32.2 mph to a range of more than five miles. Its warhead is 650 pounds of high-explosive.
Although modern warfare has increased the number of high-tech military gadgets, some of the most effective weapons, it seems, are still well-trained people.
The new Virginia class, including the North Carolina, has made accommodations for that. It is outfitted with what the Navy calls an advanced SEAL Delivery System. After looking at it, though, most people would just call it a mini-sub.
When needed, an ASDS is attached to the top of the North Carolina, kind of like a baby monkey would hold on to its mother's back. The mini-sub makes getting to shore safer for the SEALs and it delivers them rested and better equipped.
In addition, the North Carolina is equipped with a built-in nine-man lockout trunk. The trunk fills and empties with water enabling a nine-man SEAL team to SCUBA dive to the sub and enter it without needing the boat to surface. They can also leave the sub in the same way.
The lockout trunk is still classified. No reporters were allowed to look at it.
Battleship North Carolina didn't have a SEAL team, but it did have 83 to 85 Marines aboard. They landed on the beach the old-fashioned way: They stormed it.
Defense is sometimes the best offense, and it's safe to say no sub has ever had better sonar than the Virginia class. For the first time, a submarine can actually "see" what's behind it. To do this, the North Carolina uses what's called a "towed array." This is basically an extra sonar unit that can be towed along behind the sub like a tail.
Virginia class subs are also the first to use a "chin" sonar array that is a sonar system under the bow. This, along with the sonar array on the sail, helps map the bottom of the ocean and, if necessary, minefields. The sub also has the capability to place advanced mobile naval mines.
According to Sincox, sonar was still in development when the battleship was plying the Pacific waters. It did have radar, but that was only good to detect the enemy on the ocean surface or in the air.
Even with all the advanced weapons systems and sonars aboard the sub, two things really stand out as 21st century additions. Virginia class submarines are the first to use a joystick and/or a touch screen computer for steering instead of the conventional yoke. It's maneuvered more like an airplane than a ship.
One advantage of this is that instead of needing four men to steer the boat under normal conditions, it now only needs two.
The other standout is also in the control room - or, actually, isn't. There is no periscope. In its place, engineers have developed what's called a photonics mast, basically a digital camera on a pole that has infrared capabilities. In fact, images from the photonics mast can be broadcast on monitors throughout the boat. There is even one in the wardroom so the captain can see what's on the surface while he eats his dinner, if he wants to.
Inside, this means more than one person can see what's up top - no more taking turns swinging your cap back and putting your eyes up to the eyepiece. All that "up periscope" and "down periscope" lingo is history. But informally, submariners do still call it a periscope.
Some things, apparently, never change.