The increasingly dangerous look of the Virginia creates a real problem for the small series of Ash.
The multi-purpose nuclear submarine SSN-787 USS "Washington" class "Virginia Block III" launched on April 13 2016, the shipyard "Newport News Shipbuilding", submarine bomber and "torpedo hunter" is the 14-th submarine "Virginia" class
Multipurpose low-noise nuclear submarines, carriers of torpedo, rocket-torpedo and rocket weapons, form today the leading naval component to establish dominance in remote areas of the Asia-Pacific region, in the Atlantic, and also under the ice of the strategically important Arctic region. In peacetime, the range of primary tasks of this type of submarines includes: conducting long-term sonar reconnaissance in the areas of operation of the ship and aircraft carrier strike groups of a potential enemy without opening their own location (bow spherical GAK and flexible long towed antenna operate in a passive mode), covert tracking of the CUG and action analysis, monitoring of coastal naval infrastructure. During the escalation: the application of massed anti-ship strikes against the enemy's CUG / AUG by means of the Sub-Garpoon anti-ship missiles and anti-ship modifications of the Tomahawk launched - UGM-109B / E TASM / TLAM-E, and the destruction of military naval bases, as well as suppression of the enemy's air / missile defense system through the massive use of the same TFR family. In emergency situations, MAPL can strike enemy submarines and surface ships with torpedoes and anti-submarine guided missiles with a range from a few hundred meters to a hundred and fifty kilometers.
The importance of reconnaissance and strike operations puts these submarines almost on the same level as strategic missile submarines with SLBMs on board. The noise reduction technologies embodied in them are on the same level or even surpass those achievements that are implemented in the design of SSBNs for ballistic missile carriers. Submarines of this class are developed and adopted by the fleets only in the most technologically advanced countries of the world - Russia, the USA, Great Britain, France, China and India. However, the most advanced and flexible MAPL / SSGNs in combat use belong to fleets Russia, USA and, with a stretch, China. Despite the ultra-low-noise water-jet propulsion, the British promising multi-purpose Astute nuclear submarines are equipped with only six bow 533-mm torpedo tubes, while the module with a universal built-in vertical launcher is absent. This indicates that the low-noise British submarine, with all its acoustic perfection and the highly sensitive integrated sonar system Thales 2076, has on board a very limited arsenal of Tomahawk ASF modifications and other tactical and strategic missiles with a single 531-mm caliber. Moreover, there will be no possibility of using the long-range, inconspicuous anti-ship missiles AGM-158C LRASM, which will narrow the capabilities of the Estuity in the fight against enemy surface ships (the technology for launching LRASM from torpedo tubes has not yet been developed, and the Tomahawks have a significantly larger EPR, which makes them more vulnerable to modern naval air defense systems).
There is no so-called “rocket banquet” in the French promising MAPL class “Barracuda”. To launch tactical long-range cruise missiles SCALP Naval, torpedoes F21 "Artemis" and anti-ship missiles SM39 Block 2 uses 4 533-mm TA. At the same time, the compartment with ammunition for TA is small and can accommodate only 24 rocket and torpedo armament units, which is almost 1,6 times worse than the British Astute MAPL. The only advantage of the promising French submarine is the original design of the hull and tail. The high-strength steel casing 8,8 m wide allows you to dive to a depth of 400 m, while the Astute has an operating depth of about 300 — 320 m. The Barracuda also has X-shaped tail feathers with steering surfaces, which allows them to maintain their effectiveness when rotation angles up to 90 degrees. Moreover, stabilizers installed at an angle of 45 ° reduce the radar signature of the submarine during the surface run and hydroacoustic during the submarine. At this all the benefits end. Not only does the “Astute” class MAPL carry a larger arsenal of armament, one and a half times, their autonomy is almost 2 times higher than that of the French “Barracuda” (90 vs. 50 days, respectively).
The most advanced multipurpose nuclear-powered submarine carrier cruisers of missile-torpedo armament today are Russian submarines of the 885 Alyan Ave. and American submarines of the Virginia class. Submarines of the 885 “Ash” avenue are distinguished by: low acoustic and radar visibility due to the use of rubber / composite coatings with a set of noise suppression at frequencies 50 — 500 Hz and shock-absorbing platforms for the steam generating installation and the Mirage PTU, the possibility of operating at depths 550 — 600 m , the largest, in comparison with foreign counterparts, underwater displacement in 13800 tons (7800 t - in “Estyut”, 5300 t - in “Barracuda” and 7925 t - in “Virginia”), the greatest autonomy in 100 days.
The universal shock shooting complex UKKS 3Р-14В is represented by a modern universal universal vertical silo SM-346, consisting of 8 x 4 revolver PU, located in the 2 series (on the sides of the hull) along 4 transport-starting stationary "drums". This "rocket banquet" is very compact and is not issued for forming the body. The versatility of these launchers lies in the fact that they can accommodate a solid range of 32 rocket strike weapons, in particular: 2,5-flywheel, highly maneuverable anti-ship missiles 3М55 (П-800) "Onyx", low-profile strategic missiles, launching missiles, unobtrusive strategic missiles, launching systems, rocket missile systems, and unobtrusive strategic missiles, launching systems, rocket missiles "With a range of up to 3 — 14 km; promising SCR X-2000 / 2600; anti-ship missiles 101М102Э3 Caliber PL, with 54 flywheel stage (1 km range), promising hypersonic PCR 3MNHMNHMNHMNHMXNXX
The most interesting weapons are 533-mm 2,5-flywheel ballistic anti-submarine guided missiles 91REX1 Caliber PLE, capable of hitting enemy submarines at a distance of 50 km with a launch depth of 50 m. surface ships with long-range KZRK families of SM-91 or PAAMS, which easily intercept PLUR. From 1 6-mm torpedo tubes located in the central part of the submarine, a wide range of rocket-torpedo armament of the Caliber family and modern torpedoes Fizic-10 and Case can also be used. Consequently, multipurpose nuclear submarine cruisers of the Ave 533 are able to take on board up to 1 units. rocket and torpedo weapons. At the moment, the level of acoustic stealth of MAPL K-885 “Severodvinsk” is not quite up to the indicators of MAPL class “Virginia” and “Sea Wolf”, which is due to the use of the classic screw. The water-jet propulsion unit can be installed on a modernized version of the 62M Yasen-M pr. Submarines.
The heart of the Russian SSGNs of 885 / M is the advanced military information and control system “Okrug”, which aggregates information from the Irtysh-Amphora-Yapen integrated sonar system, a low-frequency flexible long-distance towed GPSA antenna terminal, and an ACL terminal into a single network-centric picture. information exchange "Structure", etc. For defensive purposes, submarines of the 600 / M Pr. Can use 885-mm TA of non-rechargeable type for launching torpedo-made underwater vehicles of the MG-533 "Throw", MG-104 "Beryl" and MG-114 "Shlagbaum". »The best practices previously used in the 324 3 Pike-B, 971 (K) Lyra and 705A Antey projects are embodied.
The high-speed torpedo nuclear submarine of 705 Ave. “Lira” possessed an underwater speed of up to 41 of a node with a minimum underwater displacement of 3180 tons, typical of modern anaerobic diesel-electric submarines with a short range of underwater operation
In contrast to the Malachite St. Petersburg Marine Engineering Bureau, the American corporations General Dynamics Electric and Northrop Grumman, taking into account the wishes of the representatives of the US Navy command, initially chose a slightly different approach to the design of multi-purpose submarines Virginia. The experience gained in the course of work on the ultra low noise multipurpose sea torpedo submarine shock submarine project was taken into account. For example, the SSN-774 “Virginia” head unit of Block I modification, launched on October 23 2004, received a water-propeller, which noticeably increases the acoustic secrecy in comparison with the Pike-B and 971 “Ash” 885 projects. Emphasis was also placed on the compactness of the hull and the highest parameters of onboard electronic equipment (including the CICS and GAK).
As a result, it was possible to achieve the width of the hull 10,4 m and the underwater displacement of 7925 tons, which is approximately 1,7 times less than that of “Ash”: it was the smaller diameter of the submarine hull that became decisive. There is also information that in emergency mode of operation of a steam turbine unit with a turbo-gear unit, Virginia class submarines are able to accelerate under water to 34 units, which is a very good indicator today. The versatility of this class of submarines is also provided by the possibility of delivering combat swimmers to the theater of war who can leave the submarine through the hatch of the lock chamber located behind the torpedo and command compartments, or move to the place of operation on a low-noise underwater vehicle (mini-submarine) "Advanced SEAL Deliveri System ”(ASDS) with a displacement of 55 tons, capable of delivering 8 saboteurs to a distance of 230 km. During long hikes, ASDS transport mini-submarines are attached to the upper surface of the submarine hull above the power plant control compartment. PLARK class "Ash" similar "optional package" today is not equipped.
The submarines of the SSN "Virginia" family received a modern high-performance and highly informative C3I BIUS, which provides the crew with comprehensive information on tactical underwater, surface and air conditions, as well as on the state of all submarine subsystems, including the power plant. The main sources of information for the CICS are: the nose AN / BQQ-10 and the onboard wide-aperture GAS AN / BQG-5A. The integrated nose hydroacoustic complex AN / BQQ-10 with a multi-element spherical acoustic antenna array is distinguished by high selection abilities of sound-emitting targets in shallow water and near the littoral zone; he is able to work both in active and in passive modes. High performance is demonstrated as in the detection of enemy submarines in the second zone of acoustic illumination.
Comparison of the sonar architecture and the shock shooting complex of the submarine of the class “Virginia Batch 1” (below) and “Batch 2” (above)
It is stated that AN / BQQ-10 GAK is perfectly adapted for conducting passive sonar reconnaissance on the enemy’s small surface targets in the coastal zone, which allows timely correction of the mini-submarine route with ASDS combat swimmers to avoid detection. On the submarines of the Batch 2 (Block III) version, an even more perfect wide-aperture bow of the horseshoe-shaped LAB (“Large Aperture Bow”) will be installed. The product does not belong to the classic gas with active-passive transducers of the acoustic signal and is built of two arrays. The radiating array is represented by active elements of the middle range with a lifetime of 16 - 20 years, and the receiving one - 1800 passive hydrophones with 30-year service life.
The main advantage of the promising LAB type LAB in comparison with AN / BQQ-10A is the significantly higher sensitivity of hydrophones, which during hydro-acoustic reconnaissance in potentially dangerous waters emphasizes the passive mode of operation: sound-emitting objects can be detected at much longer distances.
Side passive acoustic antenna arrays in the amount of 6 units. provide the class "Virginia Block III" with significantly better opportunities for conducting all-aspect hydroacoustic surveillance in comparison with project 885 "Ash". In the lower bow of the submarine hull there is a so-called "chin" with an additional active-passive sonar, which allows you to map the bottom relief with the simultaneous detection of moored mines, reconnaissance underwater drones enemy, etc. Submarines of this class will also receive two types of low-frequency flexible extended towed antennas (GPBA) - large (TB-16) and small (TB-29A) diameters. As you can see, in terms of the level of acoustic secrecy, the technical capabilities of sonar systems and the possibility of participating in sabotage operations, Virginia was able to significantly outperform Ash. What can be said about its impact capabilities?
As 18 learned in July 2017, from a source in the US Navy, in the waters of the Florida Strait, test launches of the 2-s UGM-109E strategic cruise missiles "Tomahawk Block IV" of two promising 1XXNNXX universal vertical launchers were launched for the first time. VPT ("Virginia Payload Tubes") with a diameter of 6 mm, mounted on the SS III-2100 "North Dakota" multi-purpose atomic cruiser of the Block III modification (it is well known that 784 separate transport-launch glasses were installed on the MAPL "Virginia Block I / II" ). Now counting. In the two drum launchers, all 12 "Tomahawks" or other tactical cruise / anti-submarine guided missiles (similar stationary universal "launch drums" for the "Axes" are installed on SSBN class submarines "Ohio", only the difference that the 12-th central TPK is involved). More 7 “Tomahawks”, UGM-26L “Sub-Harpoon Block II” anti-ship missiles, Mk84 ADCAP torpedoes or Mk 48 CAPTOR mines can be launched from 60 4-mm torpedo tubes. Consequently, the general arsenal of rocket-torpedo equipment barely reaches 533 units. (against 38 units of our Ave 62 Pr. Ash). The superiority of the Russian multi-purpose SSGN on the face.
More importantly, “Ash” is ahead of “Virginia”, not only in quantity, but also in the quality of rocket and torpedo weapons. In the near future, the Americans will not have modern supersonic tactical / anti-ship missiles of long range. Neither the UGM-109E, nor the “Harpoons”, nor the LRASMs (if they are adapted to the VPT launchers) with the capabilities of the “breakthrough” of the ship's missile defense can match the unique domestic supersonic “Onyxes” and “Gages” of the 3М54Е1 version. By making anti-aircraft maneuvers with overloads of more than 20 units, the anti-aircraft missiles are capable of “twisting” even helicopter interceptors like the RIM-162 ESSM, not to mention the less agile RIM-174 ERAM (SM-6).
The “long arm” of the “Ash tree” can also create a lot of problems for the strategic facilities of the US Armed Forces in Eurasia and North America, because it is not only the CK 3М14Т Caliber with a radius of 2600 km, but also more serious long-range cruise missiles ( KDB) X-101 / 102 (3000 km range with a possibility of increasing to 5000 km). Moreover, the EPR X-101 / 102, due to the angular shape of the hull lines and the wider use of radio-absorbing composite materials, barely reaches 0,01 - 0,02 м2, while the "Axes" have an effective dispersion surface near 0,2 - 0,3 м2. Adaptation of promising 3М22 “Zircon” missiles to the 3Р-14 universal firing system in the 885 “Yasen” submarines will further complicate the situation of the MAPL “Virginia” with insufficient missile strike potential.
Today, the Russian submarines of the 885 Ave are 2,5 times faster than all known western multi-purpose submarines in terms of the speed of an anti-ship strike; after gaining the initial combat readiness of the Zircon, this figure will increase to 7 times. The command of the US Navy seriously “strains” this situation, and therefore, work is already underway to increase the number of VPT “drums” from two to six (the number of transport-launch glasses increases from 12 to 36, and the total ammunition on the submarine is to 62 units.). Obviously, for the 4-x new drum VPT VPT will have to cut out the space in the rear of the submarine, "squeezing" compartments control complex weapons and power plant. Additional UVPU can be introduced on the latest submarines of modification "Block III", as well as more modern "Block IV".
What do we have in the end? In the arsenal of missile-torpedo armament of the Virginia-class submarine, they still reached the level of the 885 “Ash” project, while today the submarines of the 4 generation of our submarines noticeably exceeded the submarine and surface assets of the enemy. At the same time, faster, maneuverable and heavy anti-ship missiles aboard the 885 project give the Russian Navy indisputable advantages in the fight against powerful carrier-based attack forces of the US Navy. But it’s premature to be deceived by this fact today, having rejected a fair share of hurray-patriotism, we can safely say that the planned 7 series of multi-purpose undersea nuclear cruisers of 885 / M Ave (6 of which belong to the “Ash-M” project) is a drop in the sea against the background of the shtatovskoy series of 30 ultra low-noise "submarine killers" class "Virginia", some of which will be performed in even more formidable versions of "Block IV / V".
Information sources:
http://rbase.new-factoria.ru/news/vpervye-vypolneny-puski-ur-tomahawk-iz-novyh-puskovyh-konteynerov-dlya-podvodnyh-lodok
http://bastion-karpenko.narod.ru/Virginia.html
http://bastion-karpenko.ru/885_severodvinsk/
Information