The National Interest: What if the two best submarines in the world go to war?
Nuclear powered submarines of the leading powers are constantly engaged in searching for each other or other targets, and at any moment are ready to use the weapons on board. Fortunately for the entire planet, submarines of superpowers even during the Cold War never had to attack other people's submarines, which made it possible to avoid the largest conflict and preserve a fragile peace. Nevertheless, the topic of comparing the characteristics and capabilities of submarine forces of different countries continues to attract the attention of both the public and specialists or the press.
14 June, the famous American edition of The National Interest, published a new article in The Buzz heading written by military expert Kyle Mizokami. The publication traditionally received a loud and catchy title that reveals its essence: “Russia vs. America Underwater: What is the World's Two Best Submarines Went to War? ”-“ Russian and American Submarine Powers: What if the Two Best Submarines of the World Go to War? ”It is not difficult to guess that the topic of the article was a comparison of the best multipurpose nuclear submarines of Russia and U.S.A.
Article K. Mizokami received a small preface, actually representing a set of quotations from the middle of the material. Before the “body” of the article, some theses were made on the difference in armaments and the combat advantages of one of the submarines in question, on the higher road performance and secrecy of the other. In addition, the author’s reasoning about the modernization potential of technology was put forward in the preface. However, consider the article The National Interest in order.
K. Mizokami begins his material with a bold, although obvious thesis: from the Cold War, the underwater forces of the military fleet The United States emerged as the undisputed "masters of the underwater kingdom." The elite of the world's submarine forces, equipped exclusively with submarines with nuclear power plants, watched as a powerful and comparable Soviet submarine fleet gradually collapsed. The independent Russian Federation could not maintain and maintain the existing submarine grouping.
For two decades, US submarines dominated the World Ocean, but now a new rival has risen from the depths. The new challenge to American supremacy looked quite familiar, although it had changed in two decades of development. However, despite this, he had a long and deadly "pedigree." How, the author asks, these upstarts - the multi-purpose nuclear submarines of the 885 "Ash" project - can be compared with American submarines of the Virginia type, which are the basis of the US submarine forces?
The author recalls that the development of the 885 project began in the mid-eighties of the last century and was carried out by the Malakhit design office (now the Malakhit SPMM), one of the three main creators of Soviet submarines. The construction of the head boat of the project, named Severodvinsk, was launched in 1993 at the Sevmash enterprise. Due to the lack of finances, construction was seriously delayed, and the boat was launched only in 2010. In 2013, she was incorporated into the Russian Navy.
The “Ash” boats have a total length of 390 feet (about 118 m) and a total displacement of 13800 tons. The crew consists of just 90 people, which is noticeably smaller than crews of similar American submarines. K. Mizokami suggests that such a reduction in the crew may be due to the widespread use of automated control systems. Externally, the Ash submarines resemble earlier ships of the 971 Shuka-B project (Akula-class), but differ in different hull proportions. So, behind the cabin in the new boats is a missile compartment with vertical launchers.
According to the authoritative directory Combat Fleets of the World, the submarine “Severodvinsk” is equipped with a OK-650KPM nuclear reactor with a power of 200 MW. Such a power plant is well suited for such a boat. In particular, it allows the submarine to reach speeds up to 16 nodes on the surface and to 31 nodes under water. At the same time, the author notes that in some sources higher characteristics are indicated. According to them, the maximum speed of “Ash” under water reaches 35 nodes, and on 20 nodes the submarine can walk with minimal noise.
According to K. Mizokami, the basis of the means of detection of Severodvinsk is the Irtysh-Amfora hydroacoustic complex. Its main element is a large nasal spherical antenna. The main complex is complemented by several sonar instruments distributed throughout the hull, as well as a towed feed antenna. To navigate and search for various objects on the surface of the project 885 proposed to use the radar MRK-50 "Albatross". Also on board there are means of electronic warfare.
Submarines of the "Ash" type are equipped with eight torpedo tubes: four have a caliber 533 mm, the other four - 650 mm. Torpedo tubes can be used to launch weapons different classes. First of all, it is self-guided torpedoes. In addition, they are compatible with the 3М54 Klub ("Caliber") missiles. It is possible to use missiles designed to destroy ground targets, ships or submarines of the enemy.
To obtain even higher firepower, the Severodvinsk submarine is equipped with vertical launchers for missiles. 24 such devices are located in the central compartment of the body behind the cabin. Each of the installations is intended for the transportation and launch of the Onyx П-800 anti-ship missile. The latter is equipped with a ramjet jet engine that provides supersonic flight speed.
Then the author of The National Interest turns to the American “competitor” of the Russian submarines of the 885 project - multi-purpose nuclear submarines of the Virginia type. He recalls that the Virginia project was being developed as a more profitable alternative to a multi-purpose Seawolf-type submarine. Submarines "Sivulf" differed good performance and high potential, but proved to be too expensive. Because of this, only three boats were built, after which it was decided to massively build the Virginia project ships, which now have every chance of becoming the foundation of the submarine forces of the United States.
Virginia submarines are 377 feet long (115 m) and only a few meters shorter than Ash. In this case, however, their displacement is almost half. American submarines have a larger crew - 113 people. The main element of the power plant is an atomic reactor of the type General Electric SG9 with a capacity of 20 MW. The main objective of the reactor is to generate energy for the running motor connected to the jet propulsion unit.
According to reports available to an American expert, the Virginia submarines, on the surface, can reach speeds up to 25 nodes. Under water, the maximum speed reaches 35 nodes. K. Mizokami also notes that in a submerged position at the 25 speed, the Virginia submarine nodes produce as much noise as an older Los Angeles submarine at the pier.
As in the case of the Russian "competitor" in the face of "Ash", the main means of monitoring the American submarine is a powerful BBQ-10 hydroacoustic complex with a large spherical antenna located in the bow of the hull. However, as the project evolved, new devices were introduced. Starting with the Block III series, the Virginia is equipped with a new hydroacoustic complex using a horseshoe antenna with increased tracking sectors.
The main GAK is complemented by additional devices such as Light Weight Wide Aperture Arrays (LWWAA), located on the sides of the hull. The LWWAA system is said to have a higher potential in the search for diesel-electric submarines. Tracking the rear hemisphere is carried out using a towed antenna TB-29 (A). The last element of the hydroacoustic systems is a high-frequency station, which is necessary to search for sea mines in the immediate vicinity of the ship.
For the use of torpedo or rocket armament on Virginia boats, only four torpedo tubes with a caliber of 533 mm are provided. The main ammunition for these systems is the heavy self-guided torpedoes Mk.48 Advanced Capability (ADCAP). This weapon can be used both for attacking surface ships and for destroying submarines. It is proposed to destroy enemy ships using UGM-84 Sub-Harpoon guided missiles, also launched through torpedo tubes.
Early versions of the Virginia project included the installation of 12 vertical launchers for cruise missiles for various purposes of the BGM-109 Tomahawk family. In the modernized version of the Block III project, such means of storing and launching rockets were replaced with drum launchers with similar ammunition. The Block IV project retains the same weapons, and in the course of the next modernization it is planned to significantly increase the stock of cruise missiles. Each Virginia Block V submarine will be able to carry on the Tomahawks 40.
K. Mizokami notes that at the time of the transfer of the submarine Severodvinsk to the fleet, American submarines of the type Virginia Block III were in serial construction. It is with them, he proposes to compare the latest Russian boat. And then the author asks the question: who will win in the dizzying confrontation of "Ash" and "Virginia"? Both ships under consideration are currently the pinnacle of the development of submarine fleets of their countries, and therefore can be compared without any additional reservations.
First of all, the author of the publication The National Interest is considering the driving performance of submarines. He notes that “Severodvinsk” is a bit slower, but it can dive deeper than “Virginia”. So, in turn, it develops higher speeds, but can only dive into the 488. K. Mizokami assumes that the use of the Big Aperture Bow hydroacoustic complex will give the American boat certain advantages in detecting a competitor.
As for weapons systems, then, in the opinion of the American expert, both submarines are about equal, although they have noticeable differences in this regard. For example, in service "Severodvinsk" has an anti-submarine missile complex "Caliber". With its help, a submarine can quickly deliver a light homing torpedo to an enemy submarine. From the point of view of methods of combat work, such weapons, as K. Mizoki points out, resemble the American anti-submarine complex UUM-44 SUBROC, which was removed from service in the late eighties.
The author claims that Virginia-type submarines are different from the Ash trees with less noise and the presence of a more advanced hydroacoustic complex. In the conditions of underwater warfare, this combination of characteristics is decisive. Thanks to the advantages in this area, the American boat is able to secretly move around and find the Russian enemy before it can detect it. At the same time, K. Mizoki notes that for Severodvinsk there is an advantage in the form of a higher reaction rate. When a target is suddenly detected, it will be able to attack it faster using supersonic anti-submarine missiles.
It is also claimed that the Virginia hydroacoustic systems of submarines can be improved through regular software updates. The American author believes that the Russian project 885 and the Irtysh-Amfora complex do not have such an opportunity. In addition, he believes that reducing the noise of the "Ash" is a very difficult task for the Russian military shipbuilding. As a result, K. Mizokami gives a victory in this "round" to an American submarine.
The author of the article “Russia vs. America Underwater: What is the World's Two Best Submarines Went to War? ”Rightly notes that in reality the rivalry between the two submarines of leading countries is likely to be fought using unmanned vehicles of various classes and types, as well as other systems for various purposes and various new technology. In addition, he recalls that even after the end of the Cold War, the US Navy continued to develop the submarine fleet. After the tragic events of September 2001, this kind of troops, like everyone else, began to receive special attention.
The United States is once again beginning to consider the possibility of starting a full-scale armed conflict, including with the use of submarine forces of the military fleet. In this case, most likely, the American submarines will again have to face a likely enemy in the face of the submarines of the Russian Navy.
***
An empirical comparison of various types of weapons or equipment, carried out exclusively with the help of published data, is a very specific matter, which also often ends with dubious conclusions. The results of such a venture can be even worse if the comparing person uses erroneous information. It should be noted that in the article “Russia vs. America Underwater: What if the World's Two Best Submarines Went to War? ”The National Interest editions contain rather gross mistakes that can seriously affect the final conclusions.
So, Kyle Mizokami writes that the nuclear submarine "Severodvinsk" is equipped with eight torpedo tubes of caliber 533 and 650 mm. At the same time, it has been known for a long time that on boats “Ash” is installed on 10 devices with 533 caliber mm. These devices are located on the sides of the hull and are suitable for use with USET-80 torpedoes or Caliber missiles. Missile launchers are not quite correctly described. The fact is that "Ash" is not 24, but only 8 vertical launchers. However, each of them takes several missiles. Because of this, in particular, ammunition may consist of 24 type "Onyx" missiles.
Other assessments and assumptions published in The National Interest can also be a reason for criticism, accusations of bias or bias, etc. Nevertheless, one should not forget that such an article format, which implies exclusively speculative comparisons and ambiguous conclusions based on some fragmentary information, by definition does not allow one to obtain the desired objectivity, and the final “verdict” is in any case incapable of claiming the truth last resort.
Nevertheless, another attempt to compare Russian and American submarines is of some interest and worth attention. At the same time, despite all the problems, we can admit that one American author was right: the 885 multi-purpose atomic submarines "Ash" and Virginia Block III currently are the top of the development of the submarine fleet of the two leading countries of the world.
The article “Russia vs. America Underwater: What is the World's Two Best Submarines Went to War? ":
http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/russia-vs-america-underwater-what-if-the-worlds-two-best-21153
14 June, the famous American edition of The National Interest, published a new article in The Buzz heading written by military expert Kyle Mizokami. The publication traditionally received a loud and catchy title that reveals its essence: “Russia vs. America Underwater: What is the World's Two Best Submarines Went to War? ”-“ Russian and American Submarine Powers: What if the Two Best Submarines of the World Go to War? ”It is not difficult to guess that the topic of the article was a comparison of the best multipurpose nuclear submarines of Russia and U.S.A.
Article K. Mizokami received a small preface, actually representing a set of quotations from the middle of the material. Before the “body” of the article, some theses were made on the difference in armaments and the combat advantages of one of the submarines in question, on the higher road performance and secrecy of the other. In addition, the author’s reasoning about the modernization potential of technology was put forward in the preface. However, consider the article The National Interest in order.
K. Mizokami begins his material with a bold, although obvious thesis: from the Cold War, the underwater forces of the military fleet The United States emerged as the undisputed "masters of the underwater kingdom." The elite of the world's submarine forces, equipped exclusively with submarines with nuclear power plants, watched as a powerful and comparable Soviet submarine fleet gradually collapsed. The independent Russian Federation could not maintain and maintain the existing submarine grouping.
For two decades, US submarines dominated the World Ocean, but now a new rival has risen from the depths. The new challenge to American supremacy looked quite familiar, although it had changed in two decades of development. However, despite this, he had a long and deadly "pedigree." How, the author asks, these upstarts - the multi-purpose nuclear submarines of the 885 "Ash" project - can be compared with American submarines of the Virginia type, which are the basis of the US submarine forces?
The author recalls that the development of the 885 project began in the mid-eighties of the last century and was carried out by the Malakhit design office (now the Malakhit SPMM), one of the three main creators of Soviet submarines. The construction of the head boat of the project, named Severodvinsk, was launched in 1993 at the Sevmash enterprise. Due to the lack of finances, construction was seriously delayed, and the boat was launched only in 2010. In 2013, she was incorporated into the Russian Navy.
The “Ash” boats have a total length of 390 feet (about 118 m) and a total displacement of 13800 tons. The crew consists of just 90 people, which is noticeably smaller than crews of similar American submarines. K. Mizokami suggests that such a reduction in the crew may be due to the widespread use of automated control systems. Externally, the Ash submarines resemble earlier ships of the 971 Shuka-B project (Akula-class), but differ in different hull proportions. So, behind the cabin in the new boats is a missile compartment with vertical launchers.
According to the authoritative directory Combat Fleets of the World, the submarine “Severodvinsk” is equipped with a OK-650KPM nuclear reactor with a power of 200 MW. Such a power plant is well suited for such a boat. In particular, it allows the submarine to reach speeds up to 16 nodes on the surface and to 31 nodes under water. At the same time, the author notes that in some sources higher characteristics are indicated. According to them, the maximum speed of “Ash” under water reaches 35 nodes, and on 20 nodes the submarine can walk with minimal noise.
According to K. Mizokami, the basis of the means of detection of Severodvinsk is the Irtysh-Amfora hydroacoustic complex. Its main element is a large nasal spherical antenna. The main complex is complemented by several sonar instruments distributed throughout the hull, as well as a towed feed antenna. To navigate and search for various objects on the surface of the project 885 proposed to use the radar MRK-50 "Albatross". Also on board there are means of electronic warfare.
Submarines of the "Ash" type are equipped with eight torpedo tubes: four have a caliber 533 mm, the other four - 650 mm. Torpedo tubes can be used to launch weapons different classes. First of all, it is self-guided torpedoes. In addition, they are compatible with the 3М54 Klub ("Caliber") missiles. It is possible to use missiles designed to destroy ground targets, ships or submarines of the enemy.
To obtain even higher firepower, the Severodvinsk submarine is equipped with vertical launchers for missiles. 24 such devices are located in the central compartment of the body behind the cabin. Each of the installations is intended for the transportation and launch of the Onyx П-800 anti-ship missile. The latter is equipped with a ramjet jet engine that provides supersonic flight speed.
Then the author of The National Interest turns to the American “competitor” of the Russian submarines of the 885 project - multi-purpose nuclear submarines of the Virginia type. He recalls that the Virginia project was being developed as a more profitable alternative to a multi-purpose Seawolf-type submarine. Submarines "Sivulf" differed good performance and high potential, but proved to be too expensive. Because of this, only three boats were built, after which it was decided to massively build the Virginia project ships, which now have every chance of becoming the foundation of the submarine forces of the United States.
Virginia submarines are 377 feet long (115 m) and only a few meters shorter than Ash. In this case, however, their displacement is almost half. American submarines have a larger crew - 113 people. The main element of the power plant is an atomic reactor of the type General Electric SG9 with a capacity of 20 MW. The main objective of the reactor is to generate energy for the running motor connected to the jet propulsion unit.
According to reports available to an American expert, the Virginia submarines, on the surface, can reach speeds up to 25 nodes. Under water, the maximum speed reaches 35 nodes. K. Mizokami also notes that in a submerged position at the 25 speed, the Virginia submarine nodes produce as much noise as an older Los Angeles submarine at the pier.
As in the case of the Russian "competitor" in the face of "Ash", the main means of monitoring the American submarine is a powerful BBQ-10 hydroacoustic complex with a large spherical antenna located in the bow of the hull. However, as the project evolved, new devices were introduced. Starting with the Block III series, the Virginia is equipped with a new hydroacoustic complex using a horseshoe antenna with increased tracking sectors.
The main GAK is complemented by additional devices such as Light Weight Wide Aperture Arrays (LWWAA), located on the sides of the hull. The LWWAA system is said to have a higher potential in the search for diesel-electric submarines. Tracking the rear hemisphere is carried out using a towed antenna TB-29 (A). The last element of the hydroacoustic systems is a high-frequency station, which is necessary to search for sea mines in the immediate vicinity of the ship.
For the use of torpedo or rocket armament on Virginia boats, only four torpedo tubes with a caliber of 533 mm are provided. The main ammunition for these systems is the heavy self-guided torpedoes Mk.48 Advanced Capability (ADCAP). This weapon can be used both for attacking surface ships and for destroying submarines. It is proposed to destroy enemy ships using UGM-84 Sub-Harpoon guided missiles, also launched through torpedo tubes.
Early versions of the Virginia project included the installation of 12 vertical launchers for cruise missiles for various purposes of the BGM-109 Tomahawk family. In the modernized version of the Block III project, such means of storing and launching rockets were replaced with drum launchers with similar ammunition. The Block IV project retains the same weapons, and in the course of the next modernization it is planned to significantly increase the stock of cruise missiles. Each Virginia Block V submarine will be able to carry on the Tomahawks 40.
K. Mizokami notes that at the time of the transfer of the submarine Severodvinsk to the fleet, American submarines of the type Virginia Block III were in serial construction. It is with them, he proposes to compare the latest Russian boat. And then the author asks the question: who will win in the dizzying confrontation of "Ash" and "Virginia"? Both ships under consideration are currently the pinnacle of the development of submarine fleets of their countries, and therefore can be compared without any additional reservations.
First of all, the author of the publication The National Interest is considering the driving performance of submarines. He notes that “Severodvinsk” is a bit slower, but it can dive deeper than “Virginia”. So, in turn, it develops higher speeds, but can only dive into the 488. K. Mizokami assumes that the use of the Big Aperture Bow hydroacoustic complex will give the American boat certain advantages in detecting a competitor.
As for weapons systems, then, in the opinion of the American expert, both submarines are about equal, although they have noticeable differences in this regard. For example, in service "Severodvinsk" has an anti-submarine missile complex "Caliber". With its help, a submarine can quickly deliver a light homing torpedo to an enemy submarine. From the point of view of methods of combat work, such weapons, as K. Mizoki points out, resemble the American anti-submarine complex UUM-44 SUBROC, which was removed from service in the late eighties.
The author claims that Virginia-type submarines are different from the Ash trees with less noise and the presence of a more advanced hydroacoustic complex. In the conditions of underwater warfare, this combination of characteristics is decisive. Thanks to the advantages in this area, the American boat is able to secretly move around and find the Russian enemy before it can detect it. At the same time, K. Mizoki notes that for Severodvinsk there is an advantage in the form of a higher reaction rate. When a target is suddenly detected, it will be able to attack it faster using supersonic anti-submarine missiles.
It is also claimed that the Virginia hydroacoustic systems of submarines can be improved through regular software updates. The American author believes that the Russian project 885 and the Irtysh-Amfora complex do not have such an opportunity. In addition, he believes that reducing the noise of the "Ash" is a very difficult task for the Russian military shipbuilding. As a result, K. Mizokami gives a victory in this "round" to an American submarine.
The author of the article “Russia vs. America Underwater: What is the World's Two Best Submarines Went to War? ”Rightly notes that in reality the rivalry between the two submarines of leading countries is likely to be fought using unmanned vehicles of various classes and types, as well as other systems for various purposes and various new technology. In addition, he recalls that even after the end of the Cold War, the US Navy continued to develop the submarine fleet. After the tragic events of September 2001, this kind of troops, like everyone else, began to receive special attention.
The United States is once again beginning to consider the possibility of starting a full-scale armed conflict, including with the use of submarine forces of the military fleet. In this case, most likely, the American submarines will again have to face a likely enemy in the face of the submarines of the Russian Navy.
***
An empirical comparison of various types of weapons or equipment, carried out exclusively with the help of published data, is a very specific matter, which also often ends with dubious conclusions. The results of such a venture can be even worse if the comparing person uses erroneous information. It should be noted that in the article “Russia vs. America Underwater: What if the World's Two Best Submarines Went to War? ”The National Interest editions contain rather gross mistakes that can seriously affect the final conclusions.
So, Kyle Mizokami writes that the nuclear submarine "Severodvinsk" is equipped with eight torpedo tubes of caliber 533 and 650 mm. At the same time, it has been known for a long time that on boats “Ash” is installed on 10 devices with 533 caliber mm. These devices are located on the sides of the hull and are suitable for use with USET-80 torpedoes or Caliber missiles. Missile launchers are not quite correctly described. The fact is that "Ash" is not 24, but only 8 vertical launchers. However, each of them takes several missiles. Because of this, in particular, ammunition may consist of 24 type "Onyx" missiles.
Other assessments and assumptions published in The National Interest can also be a reason for criticism, accusations of bias or bias, etc. Nevertheless, one should not forget that such an article format, which implies exclusively speculative comparisons and ambiguous conclusions based on some fragmentary information, by definition does not allow one to obtain the desired objectivity, and the final “verdict” is in any case incapable of claiming the truth last resort.
Nevertheless, another attempt to compare Russian and American submarines is of some interest and worth attention. At the same time, despite all the problems, we can admit that one American author was right: the 885 multi-purpose atomic submarines "Ash" and Virginia Block III currently are the top of the development of the submarine fleet of the two leading countries of the world.
The article “Russia vs. America Underwater: What is the World's Two Best Submarines Went to War? ":
http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/russia-vs-america-underwater-what-if-the-worlds-two-best-21153
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