Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!swrinde!cs.utexas.edu!sun-barr!newstop!sun!amdcad!amdcad!military
From: hon@hans.scs.carleton.ca (Edmund Hon)
Newsgroups: sci.military
Subject: Pods on the tail of USSR SSN
Message-ID: <1991Apr1.042920.17593@amd.com>
Date: 31 Mar 91 03:54:28 GMT
Sender: military@amd.com
Organization: School of Computer Science, Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada
Lines: 13
Approved: military@amd.com



From: hon@hans.scs.carleton.ca (Edmund Hon)

While we are on the subject of submarines, does anyone know what is the
purpose of a mysterious "pod" on top of the tail fin of some of the newer
class of USSR SSNs? These classes includes: Akula, Sierra, and Victor III.
I've heard of 3 different explainations: a housing pod for towed array
sonar, a decoy, or a propulsion device.

Also, does anyone know why there were only one boat of the Papa and the
Mike class? (Well, the Mike was sunk, so there are none now.)
(source: Jane's Warsaw Pact warships handbook. 1986)