Technology and Operations
This forum is for discussing technological & operational matters pertaining to U-boats.
Re: Diesel-Electric Submarines vis-a-vis Nuclear
Posted by:
danodenweller
()
Date: December 23, 2005 10:53PM
Robert -
This is the argument with no answer, at least now.
What we know is that some diesel-electric boats, operating within their battery limits, against nuke's constrained to a given area, have made "kills."
We also know that nuke's, operating against carrier task forces, constrained to a given area, have made "kills," despite the surface and air defences.
Diesel-electrics that have to run their diesels and thus snorkel, are very routinely "killed" by nuke's in exercises.
So, back to the question. Can a diesel-electric boat be hard to detect - yes, can it be detected - yes, can a nuke be hard to detect - yes, can it be detected - yes.
Your caution about the DoD promoting the new weapons systems applies to all of them, even the diesel-electric boats.
In the mid-1960's, a diesel-electric boat that still had an anti-aircraft mount, and that was pinned by an ASW helo during an exercise, rose to the surface and shot down the helo. But the rules didn't provide for the use of the a/a mount, so officially the helo "got the sub," even though the initial call was against the helo. Sort of like instant replays.
On average, a nuke will be quieter than a diesel-electric, cause it doesn't have to run the diesel.
Now for dissenting views, I expect there will be some.
Dan B. Odenweller
This is the argument with no answer, at least now.
What we know is that some diesel-electric boats, operating within their battery limits, against nuke's constrained to a given area, have made "kills."
We also know that nuke's, operating against carrier task forces, constrained to a given area, have made "kills," despite the surface and air defences.
Diesel-electrics that have to run their diesels and thus snorkel, are very routinely "killed" by nuke's in exercises.
So, back to the question. Can a diesel-electric boat be hard to detect - yes, can it be detected - yes, can a nuke be hard to detect - yes, can it be detected - yes.
Your caution about the DoD promoting the new weapons systems applies to all of them, even the diesel-electric boats.
In the mid-1960's, a diesel-electric boat that still had an anti-aircraft mount, and that was pinned by an ASW helo during an exercise, rose to the surface and shot down the helo. But the rules didn't provide for the use of the a/a mount, so officially the helo "got the sub," even though the initial call was against the helo. Sort of like instant replays.
On average, a nuke will be quieter than a diesel-electric, cause it doesn't have to run the diesel.
Now for dissenting views, I expect there will be some.
Dan B. Odenweller
