The US Navy maintains its world's most expensive, most powerful, submarine and anti-submarine forces by maintaining large networks of bases and test facilities. Most are, of course, by the sea, but some are landlocked like the huge (by most country's standards) Lake Pend Oreille. Bayview, Idaho, Acoustic Research Detachment (ARD).
Part of the reason for the sighting of ARD is for security. It is far from the submarine sensors and human contact of opposing forces.
Above is a seperate Youtube on what ARD does.
From 2 minutes 35 seconds in the Youtube gets interesting when ARD's Director describes that they utilize the models to test any aspect of a
submarine, the:
- hull shape
- materials
- control surfaces
- propulsor
- even structure and systems installed inside a submarine
- any aspect that has an impact on the submarine’s acoustic
signature.
---------------------------------------------------------
Below is the official version (from the Internet November 22, 2018) of what ARD does. at https://www.navsea.navy.mil/Home/Warfare-Centers/NSWC-Carderock/Who-We-Are/Bayview-Idaho/
The 1/3 scale LSV-2 Cutthroat Virginia submarines are part of the most publically known role.
"The [US Navy's Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division (NSWCCD)] Acoustic Research Detachment (ARD) is located on
Lake Pend Oreille, which is Idaho’s largest, deepest (1,150 feet), and quietest
body of water providing an ideal environment for acoustic testing without the
attendant problems and costs of open ocean operations.
[The Carderock Division consists of approximately 2,000 scientists, engineers and support personnel.]
The ARD operates and supports unique Large Scale Submarine Models, Test Ranges, and acoustic test facilities utilized in conducting Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) of submarine acoustic stealth technology. These state-of-the-art facilities support a wide variety of research and technology development programs ranging from submarine propulsor development to the calibration of full-scale acoustic transducers. Detachment personnel supporting the experiments form a highly capable and versatile workforce providing ARD customers a timely and quality outcome. They work closely with project scientists, engineers and technicians throughout the Carderock Division and other Navy and private organizations, to plan and conduct operations and experiments on the lake.
The results obtained during past experiments have been extremely valuable to the Navy, especially in the area of submarine propulsor design, sonar dome development, submarine construction cost avoidance, and the development of several critical submarine design features. Future plans include critical support of current and future Navy submarine design in the area of structural acoustics, hydroacoustics, propulsor development, target strength reduction, and related experiments using the unique capabilities of the ARD.
[This
is a 0.294-scale LSV-2 Cutthroat model of a Virginia (SSN-774) that is an unmanned, autonomous test
vehicle for evaluating stealth technology. Weight: 205 tonnes. Length: 111 feet
(34m) Beam: 10 feet (3m) Propulsion: Electric drive 3,000 shp (2.2MW?)]
---
The Large Scale Vehicle-2 (LSV-2), a large model of the VIRGINIA Class submarine, is being used extensively in the area of propulsor research. Large scale buoyant submarine models support testing in the area of submarine structural acoustic and hydroacoustic technology. Target strength testing is conducted using the Intermediate Scale Measurement System (ISMS), which provides a unique acoustic test capability unsurpassed by any other available facility.
The site's technical programs
typically support analytical efforts of the NSWCCD and contribute directly to
the development of advanced submarine designs. These programs support the
Fleet, Navy systems commands, and other defense agencies. The ARD also support
private industry and research efforts of academia and our allies.
33964 N. Main Avenue
Bayview, ID 83803-9750"
Pete
Bayview, ID 83803-9750"
Pete
Mr. Rogoway also wrote an article on this place:
ReplyDeletehttps://foxtrotalpha.jalopnik.com/the-navys-most-vital-and-secretive-submarine-base-is-in-1590794426
He also wrote an article on the base in Alaska:
http://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/22917/the-u-s-navy-has-a-critically-important-submarine-test-base-tucked-away-in-alaska
Thanks Anonymous
ReplyDeleteI remember that Drive US naval testing article http://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/22917/the-u-s-navy-has-a-critically-important-submarine-test-base-tucked-away-in-alaska
The more I read about the US Navy's huge testing network [1] the more I see how daunting it is to conceptualise the whole network's activities.
[1] see this more broad brush summary especially locations on pages 5 to 7 of the broader Naval Surface Warfare Center network https://www.navsea.navy.mil/Portals/103/Documents/NSWC_Carderock/Command%20Overview.pdf
Regards
Pete
The facility in the Bahama's, AUTEC, is another key facility for open ocean deep water testing. AUTEC in particular is something that the Russians can't really reproduce, as they have no easy access to open blue water where they can test without being potentially (likely) observed by USN boats.
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Josh
Thanks Josh
ReplyDeleteLooks like the USN's Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center (AUTEC) is another huge US testing facility, helping to test submarines and other craft. I suspect XLUUVs are a new AUTEC test category.
With AUTEC's parent unit employing 1,000s of navy and civilians https://www.navsea.navy.mil/Home/Warfare-Centers/NUWC-Newport/Who-We-Are/Employment-Impact/
I've read the UK Royal Navy also uses AUTEC, eg. for its Astute class SSNs. Other navies?
Looking at wiki: The USN's Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center (AUTEC) is a laboratory that performs integrated three-dimensional hydrospace/aerospace trajectory measurements covering the entire spectrum of undersea simulated warfare — calibration, classifications, detection, and destruction. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlantic_Undersea_Test_and_Evaluation_Center
Tasks: The typical task performed at AUTEC is testing and certifying the proficiency of U.S. Navy submarine captains and their crews, as well as the accuracy of their undersea weapons."
Regards
Pete