Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!wuarchive!uunet!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!att!cbnews!military From: cr2r+@andrew.cmu.edu (Christian M. Restifo) Newsgroups: sci.military Subject: Re: WWII Submarine Navigation and Attack Terminology Message-ID: <1990Oct2.235544.24258@cbnews.att.com> Date: 2 Oct 90 23:55:44 GMT References: <1990Sep24.002015.24721@cbnews.att.com>, Sender: military-request@att.att.com Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories Lines: 36 Approved: military@att.att.com From: "Christian M. Restifo" nuchat!steve@uunet.UU.NET (Steve Nuchia) writes: "That was WWII. Today you normally don't use the scope for targeting, you fire on a solution derived from passive sonar data, and it is probably computed digitally." Currently, the method of finding a firing solution is as follows: Sonar obtains a contact and assigns a tracker. This tracker is a computer designation that "follows" the target. All data is fed into a fire control system. Your experienced FTG (fire control technician) then uses a three point method. He takes into account the speed, range, and bearing of the target. Because of these three factors, it is possible to come up with more than one firing solution. For example, you could come up with two different bearings and ranges. It is up to the FTG to figure out the correct one. If his current solution tells him the target is a merchant moving at 50 knots, it is obviously the wrong solution. He must go back and 'tweek' his controls to arrive at a sensible one. The FTG must also watch sonar's back. If sonar fails to realize that there are biologics on the bearing, for example, your solution will really be screwed up. (I have seen this happen.) Under the current rules of engagement, a US warship technically cannot fire until there is positive proof of the target's identity. Thus, to torpedo a ship, a submarine must make a visual sighting. OOD's in training are still required to learn how to mark bearings via a periscope. (Obviously, this doesn't count when you have a submerged contact. Then you're in trouble.......) -MIDN 3/C (SS) Christian Restifo Carnegie Mellon NROTC "All opinions posted here are mine and mine alone. They are not to be taken to be the official opinions of the DoD, Department of the Navy, NROTC, or anyone else who thinks they own me."