July 19, 2019
Marines on USS Boxer JAMMED Iranian Drone to down it
When a drone (unmanned aerial vehicle/system) threatened USS Boxer an intrepid Marine technician drove the jammer-buggy combination along 41,000 ton USS Boxer's large "flat-top" deck. Presumably US super-carriers in the Middle East region are similarly protected by Marine or US Navy driven jammer buggies.
Hence USS Boxer's various kinetic anti-air capable defences (RIM-116, and RIM-7 Sea Sparrow missiles, 20mm Phalanx CIWS 25 mm and 50 calibre machine guns) were NOT used.
The downed Iranian “drone” (unmanned
aerial vehicle/system) that approached within 900 meters of USS Boxer may have been a:
·
H-110 Sarir
(UAV)
·
Qods Mohajer (eg. the Mohajer-6)
·
Shahed 129 or a
Trump on USS Boxer downing the Iranian drone.
---
Pete
July 18, 2019
Teaching the Russian S-400 to detect F-35s
Franz-Stefan Gady has written an excellent
article at the The Diplomat paysite. The article is an interview with Mauro Gilli, a senior researcher in military
technology and international security at the Swiss Federal Institute of
Technology. The article titled “Mauro Gilli: Selling the F-35 to Countries Operating the
S-400 Is a Bad Idea” is dated July 3, 2019. Subscribers can read the full article at
https://thediplomat.com/2019/07/mauro-gilli-selling-the-f-35-to-countries-operating-the-s-400-is-a-bad-idea/. Here is a short snippet:
[Franz-Stefan Gady askes] "How
[the Russian S-400 system issue is] related to the sale of the
F-35 aircraft to countries such as
Turkey or, perhaps less realistically, India?
[Mauro Gilli's
responds] "To use the previous analogy, by possessing
both the F-35 as well as the
S-400, Turkey or India could figure out how to change the color of the F-35 from light blue to black, and in part how to change the color of the background from light blue to white. To put it more precisely, stealth technology is aimed at reducing the observability to radars operating at specific angles and at specific frequencies. By modulating the frequencies and angles of operations of multiple S-400 systems, one could find the weak spots of the F-35 and, more important, its unique radar returns. By feeding such data into signal processing software, the chances of detection increases markedly – one country would be able to more accurately ignore false positives and more carefully avoid false negative[s]. In other words, if you know what you are looking for, you can more easily find it."
S-400, Turkey or India could figure out how to change the color of the F-35 from light blue to black, and in part how to change the color of the background from light blue to white. To put it more precisely, stealth technology is aimed at reducing the observability to radars operating at specific angles and at specific frequencies. By modulating the frequencies and angles of operations of multiple S-400 systems, one could find the weak spots of the F-35 and, more important, its unique radar returns. By feeding such data into signal processing software, the chances of detection increases markedly – one country would be able to more accurately ignore false positives and more carefully avoid false negative[s]. In other words, if you know what you are looking for, you can more easily find it."
SEE THE FULL DIPLOMAT ARTICLE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On
July 17, 2019 Al-Monitor.com reported:
The
“Trump administration said today it would formally kick Turkey out of the F-35
program after Ankara took delivery of a [S-400] Russian air defense system that
could threaten the American fighter’s stealth capabilities.
In
a White House statement sent five days after Turkey began taking deliveries of
the Moscow-made S-400, [on July 12, 2019] press secretary Stephanie Grisham said the F-35 “cannot
coexist with a Russian intelligence collection platform that will be used to
learn about its advanced capabilities.”
Pentagon
officials had long said the Russian system, which is not compatible with NATO
counterparts, could train its powerful radar on any F-35 jet operated
by Turkey to uncover its stealth protections....”
July 17, 2019
Losharik's Intentional Flooding and Functions
Many readers would be aware that on
July 1, 2019, 14 of Losharik’s estimated
19 crew were killed in a fire (burns, blast, smoke inhalation) as Losharik was in the process of docking
in Orenburg’s belly (“moon well” floodable chamber). Some of the following links are in French or Russian - which may translate to English automatically after 15 seconds or right-click mouse, then "Translate to English".
Few may be aware that it has been reported that Orenburg’s crew intentionally “flooded” Losharik to prevent the fire/explosions spreading to Orenburg. So some of Losharik’s crew may have been sacrificed to save Orenburg's crew.
The details below mainly drawing from excellent articles by:
Losharik (bottom) and above it Orenburg "mother sub" (a "Delta III Stretch BS-136). (Diagram courtesy TechnologyNewsWorld July 2, 2019).
---
Few may be aware that it has been reported that Orenburg’s crew intentionally “flooded” Losharik to prevent the fire/explosions spreading to Orenburg. So some of Losharik’s crew may have been sacrificed to save Orenburg's crew.
The details below mainly drawing from excellent articles by:
Igor Delanoë (working in Moscow) “Losharik:
drama in the depths” July 10, 2019,
and also
Pavel Felgenhauer (also in Moscow) "‘Losharik’ Submersible Disaster Handicaps
Russian Naval Operations” July 11, 2019, Eurasia Daily Monitor Volume: 16
Issue: 99, The Jamestown Foundation. https://jamestown.org/program/losharik-submersible-disaster-handicaps-russian-naval-operations/ in square [...] bracket’s :
Losharik (bottom) and above it Orenburg "mother sub" (a "Delta III Stretch BS-136). (Diagram courtesy TechnologyNewsWorld July 2, 2019).
---
First described as nuclear
submarine “AS-12” Losharik turned out to be the AS-31, deep diving special operations submarine which operates from the belly
of the much larger “mother sub”
BS-136 Orenburg (modified from Delta III class SSBN K-129 in 1994).
BS-136 Orenburg (modified from Delta III class SSBN K-129 in 1994).
What is Losharik used for?
Using her underwater mechanical
hands/manipulators and floodlights, Losharik is designed to
carry out many sensitive, often risky missions:
Seizing and destroying
submarine cables and tapping the cables with listening devices are 2 of the
functions of Losharik. For example...in March 2016, the French press
reported the presence of a Russian SSBN sitting on the bottom of the Bay of
Biscay. In fact of SSBN could well have been the Losharik-Orenburg combination spotted in an area
where many vulnerable submarine cables are on the seafloor.
[Losharik can
reportedly sabotage the US’ SOSUS [seafloor listening
device arrays] in the Atlantic [Pete addition: Pacific, Arctic and Indian]
Oceans. Atlantic sabotages would allow Russian submarines to break out of their
Severomorsk base into the open Atlantic undetected (RBC,
July 9).] [Just before the fire Losharik’s][...crew may
have been searching for intelligence-gathering equipment
potentially planted by the US military on the seafloor to monitor activities in
the North Sea.]
Losharik also recovers Russian warheads, other
weapons systems and sensors lost (or broken) at sea. For example, if new
torpedo or UAV trials fail they need to be retrieved by Losharik before
they fall into the hands of a foreign power [Pete addition: probably US, UK or
China]. [Just before Losharik’s fire][...the
Russian navy itself had lost something during exercises. Another possibility is
that this was a mission to test some new equipment, which may explain the
presence of a defense industry civilian specialist on board Losharik (RBC, July
9, 2019).]
Losharik can also recover
the remains of foreign warheads and other weapons systems lost
at sea [[Possible
targets for Losharik or other Russian retrieval
submersibles could be the] US
RQ-4 Global Hawk drone...shot down by the Iranians in the Strait of Hormuz
in June 2019. The Iranians gathered some floating debris, but there is surely a
treasure trove left scattered on the seabed. In April 2019, a Japanese
US-made F-35A crashed in the Pacific. Again, some floating debris was
recovered, but more valuable technology could still be found underneath (Interfax, April 15).
Losharik's many mechanical hands/manipulators, floodlights and additional helper submersibles are evident. (Artwork courtesy TechnologyNewsWorld July 2, 2019)
---
Technical Details for Losharik
include:
Displacement: 1600 tonnes (surfaced), 2100 tonnes
(submerged)
Length: 60 m or 70 m (unconfirmed)
Propulsion: 1 nuclear reactor E-17 [details
eg. kW or MW, unknown]
Complement: 19 to 25
Estimates Diving Depth: 6,000 metres.
See Submarine Matters' earlier Losharik reporting here.
Pete (with thanks to Starshiy for spotting some references).
July 16, 2019
Australia's Future Submarines Likely To Keep Lead Acid Batteries.
Australian submarine expert Derek
Woolner and Lithium-ion Battery (LIB)
expert David Glynne Jones have warned that Australia’s future Attack-class
submarines could be inferior on commissioning in the 2030s if they don’t use LIBs.
This has been reported in more detail here
and here.
Those countries with “superior” LIBs for submarine include Japan which is building
LIBs submarines right now. South Korea and China are likely to build LIBs submarines within
the next 15 years.
Bio Details
Derek Woolner co-authored The
Collins class submarine story: steel, spies and spin. He has performed contractual
services for Australia’s future Attack class submarine program.
David Glynne Jones is an advocate of transport
electrification using renewable sources, including those hooked up to Lithium-ion
batteries.
COMMENT
It appears that the Australian Government and Naval Group
intend to build the future Attack class with old style, but proven, lead-acid
batteries. The Australian Government are concerned that LIBs for submarines are
unproven operationally and there are safety concerns that LIB batteries have a
higher chance (than lead-acid batteries) of overheating, burning and even exploding if not
managed properly.
The advantages of LIBs are that:
- they can be recharged more quickly meaning quicker/more
discrete snorting periods
and
- can be hold more electrical power than lead-acid batteries. LIBs have a greater average
charge/discharge efficiency of 85% (see LIB sidebar) compared to lead-acid batteries which have a
lower average of around 72.5% (see lead-acid battery sidebar). Submarines with LIBs
might prudently (ie. always retaining 50% battery capacity for rapid tactical movement
/emergencies) snort every 5 days or more. Estimates are vary variable. That would mean longer
fully submerged submarine operation of 5 days or more. This is compared to every 1 to 2 days
prudent snorting for subs with lead-acid batteries.
charge/discharge efficiency of 85% (see LIB sidebar) compared to lead-acid batteries which have a
lower average of around 72.5% (see lead-acid battery sidebar). Submarines with LIBs
might prudently (ie. always retaining 50% battery capacity for rapid tactical movement
/emergencies) snort every 5 days or more. Estimates are vary variable. That would mean longer
fully submerged submarine operation of 5 days or more. This is compared to every 1 to 2 days
prudent snorting for subs with lead-acid batteries.
The Attack class will
use an unknown number of MTU 4000 or, perhaps less likely MTU 396 diesels.
The Australian Government has implied that it may adopt LIBs
in future. Pete Comment - However this is unlikely for the first batch of 6 Attack
class as LIBs require whole new space and buoyancy solutions and new electrical fittings
throughout a submarine.
Pete
July 15, 2019
Dry "Launch" of France's First Barracuda/Suffren SSN - K15 Reactor?
On July 12, 2019 (Naval Group advises) a ceremony, presided over by French President Macron (above), "launched" the first Barracuda named Suffren. Suffren is the first of 6 Barracuda SSNs being built in Cherbourg for the French Navy. The 6 Barracudas will replace the 6 much smaller Rubis class SSNs (operating since 1983).
COMMENT
The "launch" of first of class vessels (including subs) is a highly political act (hence the French President participated). The first is generally "launched" remaining on dry land (wheeled out of its shed for the ceremony - then back in the shed again after the ceremony) not truly launched into the water. This is for a variety of reasons, including: safety, need for continued assemblage inside the sub (including fully installing the reactor). Many other technical issues (eg. electronics software and hardware and weapon systems) would still need resolution.
First of class submarines typically take between 2 and 5 years from launch till full commissioning/operating in a navy. Commissioning follows all necessary tests and resolution of the many inevitable technical problems - especially the reactor. So Suffren might not be fully commissioned into the French Navy until 2023-24 if major problems are encountered.
ARTICLE
TechnicAtome.
COMMENT
These 2 French naval reactor builders may have resolved the main reason for the program's delay, ie. the development of the miniaturised (for SSN) version of the existing K15 naval reactor (mainly in Cadarache, southeast France (see map)). See Submarine Matters' previous articles on the K15 problem here and, much more detailed, here. The K15 has presumably been fitted into the SSN. Guillou said the K15 reactor will first be tested (run critical?) in Cherbourg shipyard "in the coming weeks".
The long delayed [Suffren was laid down 2007] launch is reassuring for builders of the Australian Attack-class (was the "Shortfin") conventional diesel-electric (SSK) version of the SSN. Reassuring because many of the hydrodynamic efficiency and acoustic stealth characteristics for the SSK must be first tested during the SSN's full scale submerged trials (which may begin 2021-22). Also many of the Naval Group staff (managers, designers and builders) hitherto assigned to SSN development will gradually become available for Australia's SSK development. Although we must keep in mind that many of the Naval Group's SSN staff will now also be reassigned to the new SSBN program (known as 3rd Generation SSBN - known as 3G SNLE (or SNLE 3g)) to replace France's Triomphant SSBNs (operating since 1997).]
ARTICLE - Technical Characteristics
The technical characteristics of the Barracuda Suffren-class SSNs, provided by Naval Group's 12 July 2019 Media Release, are:
- Surface displacement: 4,700 tonnes
- Diving [submerged] displacement: 5,300 tonnes
- Length: 99 metres
- Diameter [beam]: 8.8 metres
- Armament: naval cruise missiles, F21 heavy-weight wire-guided torpedoes, modernised Exocet SM39 anti-ship missiles, [mines, weaponised UUVs and Naval Cruise Missiles (NCM - MdCN) for long range land attack, armed Special Forces - divers using wet or dry diver delivery vehicles/minisubs].
- Hybrid propulsion: [propulsor-pumpjet with a secret structure, hence shrouded at launch ceremony] and pressurised water reactor derived from the [K15 (150 MW) reactors on board the Triomphant-class SSBNs [see right sidebar] and Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier [right sidebar], two propulsion turbines, two turbo generators and two electric motors
- Crew: 65 crew members + commandos [Special Forces]
- Availability: > 270 days per year [K15s need refueling every 7 to 10 years. There is also shorter term and longer term "deep" maintenance for many other parts of the SSNs generally.]
- YOUTUBE
Above is an excellent (less than 7 minute) Youtube with commentary (1 minute, 3 seconds in) by Xavier Vavasseur, Chief Editor, Naval News. As well as the French President and officials Xavier mentions the presence of the Australian Defence Minister [Senator Linda Reynolds] and Australian military.
---
Pete
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)