Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!samsung!olivea!oliveb!veritas!amdcad!amdcad!military From: tarl@stratus.com (Tarl Neustaedter) Newsgroups: sci.military Subject: Re: Stealth Boats Message-ID: <1991Mar29.032037.17143@amd.com> Date: 28 Mar 91 04:13:46 GMT References: <1991Mar27.051519.23104@amd.com> Sender: military@amd.com Organization: Stratus Computer, Inc. Lines: 36 Approved: military@amd.com From: tarl@stratus.com (Tarl Neustaedter) In article <1991Mar27.051519.23104@amd.com>, x35147d3@usma8.usma.edu (Bergman Charles CDT) writes: |> The Germans are working on new conventional subs that are more quite and |> cheaper then our nuclear ones. Soon they'll export those and we'll have a |> trillion dollar ineffective surface navy! I assume you are talking about the german type 212 class. The first trials of this sub will be in 1994 (according to the U.S. Naval Institute's re-published 1990/1991 combat fleets of the world) so it is a little early to speculate on how effective they are. However, the other two in-service german diesel-electric subs (type 206 and type 205) both have speed limits of 10Kts on the surface and 17Kts submerged (5Kts when snorkelling), and a max range (at 5kts) of 4500 nm snorkelling and 200 nm submerged. Not enough to traverse the persian gulf submerged, and the first time you surface in a hostile environment is the last time you surface. Even quiet subs are still detectable with active sonar (e.g., sonobuoys dropped from S3 Vikings or ASW helicopters). Once a sub has been detected, it can be destroyed with air-dropped torpedoes. I speculate that if Iraq had owned subs when we went into the gulf, the first order of business would have been to block the straights of Oman and fumigate the entire gulf with land-based aircraft. I suspect that (not needing to hide their presence), US Navy ships would have had active sonar in operation as close to continuously as they could arrange, producing a hazardous environment for enemy subs. ----------------------------------------------------------- Tarl Neustaedter tarl@vos.stratus.com Marlboro, Mass. Stratus Computer Disclaimer: My employer is not responsible for my opinions.