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From: deichman@cod.nosc.mil (Shane D. Deichman)
Newsgroups: sci.military
Subject: Re: seawolf submarine
Message-ID: <1990Nov16.054614.24287@cbnews.att.com>
Date: 16 Nov 90 05:46:14 GMT
References: <1990Nov15.015554.4482@cbnews.att.com>
Sender: military@cbnews.att.com (William B. Thacker)
Organization: Naval Ocean Systems Center, San Diego
Lines: 54
Approved: military@att.att.com



From: deichman@cod.nosc.mil (Shane D. Deichman)

[The following is from _The Naval Institute Guide to Combat
Fleets of the World, 1990/1991_]

Seawolf ("SSN 21") class:

Displacement: 9,150 tons (submerged)
Speed: 35+ knots (sub.)
Dim. (m): 99.37 x 12.19 x 10.94
Armament: 8/762 mm TT (about 50 Sea Lance, Tomahawk, Harpoon missiles,
	Mk 48 ADCAP torpedoes, mines)
Plant:  1 G.E. S6W pressurized-water reactor; single screw; 60,000 
	shaft horse power.
Man.:  approx. 12 officers, 118 enlisted.

Remarks:  First unit requested under FY 89 and ordered 9/1/89. General
Dynamics and Newportf News SB & DD competed for initial unit.  Will offer
significant improvements in speed, quietness, weapons load, sonar proces-
sing, etc., over LOS ANGELES class, to continue lead over Soviet technology,
being able to travel at up to 20 knots while silent.

Designed for reliability and ease of maintenance, to operate for 15 years
before first overhaul. Will be without question the world's finest nuclear
submarines.  To have Raytheon Mk 2 Combat Control System, Submarine Active
Detection System (SADS), with bow-mounted medium- and high-frequency active
sonar capability.  The BQQ-5D passive sonar suite will include the TB-23
thin-line towed array and three flank arrays per side.

Hull numbering sequence is peculiar, as U.S.N. hull numbers are by regulation
to be sequential, yet SS 21 dates to 1912!  Anomaly apparently came about
when "SSN-21" was applied as the project title, indicating "Sumarine for
the 21st Century."  Name is still unofficial, and hull number may be changed
to SSN 774.

The submarine will have smaller length-to-beam ratio to improve maneuver-
ability.  Retractable bow planes (as opposed to the sail-mounted diving
planes on the 688s) and six stern fins will be carried.  A small wedge at
the base of the forward edge of the sail will improve hydrodynamic flow.
Propeller will be of pump-jet design.  Planned to carry 12 Tomahawk 
missiles.

-shane

               |\/\/\/\/| 
               |        |        "Neat boat, man!"
               |        |         
               |    (o o)       /
               c        _)     /
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                |    /
               /______\