Kill Kanyon: countering the new Russian intercontinental nuclear torpedo
In March of this year, Russia for the first time officially presented information on a promising multi-purpose ocean system, later called Poseidon. Available data on this development have become a serious cause for concern. However, foreign experts were able to cope with anxiety and began to study a dangerous object. Among other things, the development of countermeasures against Poseidon began.
Perhaps the most complete material on the fight against a promising Russian model at the moment was presented by an American underwater researcher fleet H.I. Sutton. Not so long ago, on his own website, Covert Shores, he published a voluminous article entitled “Killing KANYON: Countering new Russian Intercontinental Nuclear Torpedoes” - “Kill Kanyon: counteracting the new Russian intercontinental nuclear torpedo”. The theme of this material, as follows from its title, was the fight against unusual weapons Russia.
At the beginning of the article, the author notes that the promising product “Poseidon” (also known as “Status-6”, Kanyon and “Skiff”) differs from the existing submarines with greater speed and depth of travel, as a result of which it will have to be fought with the help of new tools. H.I. Sutton tried to determine what new types of weapons could be created in NATO to combat the unusual threat.
The alleged appearance of "Poseidon"
The author notes that the reasons for the appearance of "Poseidon" are not completely clear. The simplest assumption relates this project to the development of missile defense. Modern missile defense reduces the potential of intercontinental missiles, and this requires rebuilding strategic nuclear forces. It is also possible that a new project was launched in connection with the Treaty on the Reduction of Offensive Arms. A new weapon does not fall under its action, and therefore its deployment is limited only by some other agreements of a very general nature. Finally, the Poseidon project may be based on the principle of increasing reliability. A special submarine does not depend on satellite navigation, and thanks to this it can continue to work even if a space group is defeated.
H.I. Sutton believes that the reason for the emergence of the project could hardly be the secrecy of the submarine. "Poseidon" is not a silent unmanned boat, able to penetrate unnoticed into the waters and without warning to deliver the first strike. He also notes that the new Russian development can be attributed to the class of unmanned vehicles, but in essence it is a weapon. Consequently, the modes of operation and routes of the device will be as simple and reliable as possible. Moving along straight routes, the Poseidon will rely not on stealth, but on speed and depth.
The author calls the Poseidon a unique multipurpose weapon that can be used as a strategic or tactical delivery vehicle. In this regard, the product can be considered as a long-range torpedo with a special warhead. Its goal may be coastal cities or moving surface objects.
In the demonstration videos, the Poseidon product was shown as a tactical nuclear weapon, which makes the issue of countering it particularly important. The use of such a system for strategic purposes, in turn, is prevented by the threat of a retaliatory strike and mutual assured destruction. Under these conditions, the means of counteracting such weapons are not needed or can prevent, since one of the parties gets a certain advantage. Such arguments are often used in disputes around missile defense, and perhaps the Poseidon project was created precisely as a response to anti-missile systems.
If the Poseidon was originally developed as a strategic weapon, then some answers appear. With its help, despite the development of missile defense, the possibility of an effective retaliatory strike remains. At the same time, such a system can be used as a tactical nuclear weapon, which imposes different requirements on counteraction.
According to Kh.I. Sutton, just two countries are directly interested in creating means of protection from Poseidon - these are the United States and Great Britain. Both of these states have developed naval forces, which may be the target of Russian vehicles in the role of tactical weapons. In addition, their fleets have hunting submarines, whose task is to search for Russian underwater strategic missile carriers. In the future, they will have to master the search and unmanned vehicles.
The proposed option hydroacoustic complex. A - search hydroacoustic system; B - sea mine; C - Seatooth communication system; D - connection buoy; E - torpedo; F - Poseidon product
Starting in the sixties, western hunter submarines were created in order to follow Soviet ships carrying ballistic missiles. They should have been able to immediately attack and destroy their target, preventing the launch of missiles. Such principles are still relevant, but their implementation is associated with certain problems. Russian submarines have become quieter, and NATO is increasingly faced with a shortage of its submarines to patrol. Search and destruction of enemy submarines can be carried out using various autonomous systems, but in the case of the Poseidon, everything is much more complicated. Even if all the submarines with missiles could be found and destroyed, NATO fleets will have to search and hit autonomous vehicles, otherwise there is a great threat.
Seatooth type maritime network structures
Before the attack, an underwater target should be found, and Kh.I. Sutton is considering the further development of anti-submarine search engines. He believes that the existing stationary hydroacoustic complexes need a special addition. The latter should be a rapidly deployable network of surveillance tools. It may also include its own means of destruction. The presence of weapons will reduce the reaction time, which is critical in light of the high speed of the Poseidon.
Such networks should be placed on the intended path of the enemy’s underwater vehicle. The author believes that an attempt to pursue and attack from the rear hemisphere may not succeed due to the high speed of the target. According to known data, the Poseidon will be able to reach speeds around 70 nodes, which is close to the maximum limit of objects like a torpedo.
For the rapid deployment of sonar systems, patrol aircraft or anti-submarine helicopters must be used. It is also necessary to study the issue of creating a cruise missile with a cluster head unit containing the necessary devices. Such a product will allow as soon as possible to establish a network of surveillance equipment, including in the area under the control of the enemy, where work is excluded aviation.
Typically, sonar buoys are used to search for submarines, having radio contact with the aircraft / helicopter carrier or the coast. However, the great depth of the "Poseidon" can make them useless. In this case, it is necessary to use the equipment installed at the bottom. Such instruments have an additional advantage over buoys: they do not drift, and therefore the network can operate for a long time.
Modern detection tools stacked on the seabed have a characteristic drawback. Individual components of such networks are connected using cables - they increase the weight of the system, and in addition, they are subject to unauthorized connections. These problems can be eliminated with the help of modern wireless communication systems, such as Seatooth from WFS Technologies. Such equipment at short distances can use acoustic communication, and with increasing range, radio is used. At minimum distances it is possible to use optical communication, which provides the highest transmission speeds. It is important that each Seatooth communication unit includes instruments of all three types.
The defeat of "Poseidon" with hypersonic weapons. A - Virginia submarine with VPM module; B is the accelerator separation point; C - hypersonic glider; D - discharge of the payload into the water; E - the trajectory of "Poseidon"; F - meeting the payload to
The interception system may include sea mines and special ground torpedo tubes. They should be equipped with Seatooth instruments and integrated into the common complex. Such a network, as well as new principles for processing incoming information, among other things, could reduce the likelihood of false alarms. It also becomes possible to update the data in the torpedo equipment as you move past the new network nodes.
Placing torpedo launchers along a network of sensors should ensure the correct response to the threat in the form of a “Poseidon”. Due to this, it will be possible to get the most serious advantages over stationary mines. Also, the network anti-submarine complex will be able to transmit data to the coast, which will allow to attract other means to work.
Long Range Defeat
Vertical mine launchers, available on many US submarines, according to Kh.I. Sutton, can be used for firing promising hypersonic rocket gliders with one or another payload. So, such a weapon can be equipped with an anti-submarine torpedo or a special warhead, with the result that it will become a modern analogue of the decommissioned UUM-44 SUBROC complex. Short flight time and long range glider will give the submarine carrier special abilities. In fact, ships in the North Atlantic will be able to attack Poseidon in the Arctic Ocean. In this case, the warhead or torpedo will arrive in a new area before the unmanned vehicle goes a long distance from the place of detection.
An alternative to hypersonic gliders can be “traditional” type rockets or high-speed vehicles with direct-flow engines. According to known data, the United States is currently developing several projects of this kind at once. Similar systems are also being created abroad - China is leading the DF-ZF project, and in Russia the product “4202” or “Avangard” is being created. The author notes that the relatively large size of the first stage of a rocket of this class will not allow it to be made the carriers of the UK submarine.
Torpedoes new generation
The existing models of torpedo weapons used by the naval forces of the United States and Great Britain were created to combat submarines capable of developing relatively high speeds and sink to a sufficiently great depth. However, the available data on the Poseidon project show that the characteristics of modern torpedoes may not be sufficient to combat prospective threats. This means that in order to counter the new Russian development it is necessary to create completely new torpedoes.
Perspective torpedo armament. A - the submarine is launching a torpedo; B - a torpedo rises to the surface to search for a target and obtain target designation; C - torpedo immersion; D - the torpedo is heading towards the target; E - the approaching Poseidon
A promising torpedo weapon, apparently, will differ little from unmanned underwater vehicles. It should be expected that such weapons will be created in both the light and heavy classes. Its caliber will reach 21 inches - 533 mm. The author suggests that it is possible that a heavy torpedo will appear, capable of carrying several samples of a light class or Drones. Such equipment will increase the likelihood of successful target detection, and then simplify targeting and subsequent defeat.
Light torpedoes of a new type should have small dimensions that will allow them to be placed inside an 21-inch torpedo carrier. The latter can carry two torpedoes in caliber 10,5 inch (267 mm) or three 9,5-inch (228 mm). Thus, the promising light torpedo turns out to be noticeably smaller than the existing serial products of its class that are in service with NATO.
As a result, there is a need to create a whole line of three types of torpedo weapons. It should include 533-mm torpedoes for submarine use, 324-mm ammunition for anti-submarine helicopters and surface ships, as well as 9,5-inch caliber products for use with larger torpedoes.
***
From the available information, it follows that the ocean multi-purpose system “Poseidon” is a fundamentally new model of marine equipment capable of solving various tasks, primarily related to the defeat of various surface and coastal facilities. The unique running characteristics of the product contribute to obtaining high combat qualities.
It is understandable why the Poseidon project attracted the attention of foreign experts. Even the limited amount of data available about this development shows how serious a threat it is. Naturally, immediately after the appearance of open information, foreign military and experts tried to identify the real possibilities and threats of the underwater vehicle, as well as to find ways to counter it.
It should be noted that from the point of view of technical appearance, the Poseidon is a cross between super-heavy torpedoes and nuclear submarines, and combines some of their qualities. As a result, there are special technical characteristics, and with them, outstanding opportunities of various kinds. The performance characteristics and strategy of using a multi-purpose system, in turn, turn out to be a serious challenge for foreign military men and designers.
Even a superficial examination of the available data shows that the Poseidon is able to overcome without serious difficulty the resistance of at least parts of modern anti-submarine systems. To ensure an adequate level of protection, promising detection and destruction means with enhanced characteristics are necessary. H.I. Sutton, in his article “Killing KANYON: Countering new Russian Intercontinental Nuclear Torpedoes,” considered the main problems and issues of creating such an interception system, and also made certain suggestions.
The thoughts of a foreign author seem to be correct and logical. Indeed, the presence of stationary and rapidly deployable sonar networks, as well as the use of promising torpedoes and highly efficient control systems can reduce the threat of Poseidon. However, at the moment all these tools are missing. Will they appear, and will NATO be able to effectively confront new challenges? Time will tell. Russia has made its new project, and experts commented on it. The next move in this game is for foreign military men and designers.
The article "Killing KANYON: Countering new Russian Intercontinental Nuclear Torpedoes":
http://hisutton.com/Countering_Russian_Poseidon_Torpedo.html
Perhaps the most complete material on the fight against a promising Russian model at the moment was presented by an American underwater researcher fleet H.I. Sutton. Not so long ago, on his own website, Covert Shores, he published a voluminous article entitled “Killing KANYON: Countering new Russian Intercontinental Nuclear Torpedoes” - “Kill Kanyon: counteracting the new Russian intercontinental nuclear torpedo”. The theme of this material, as follows from its title, was the fight against unusual weapons Russia.
At the beginning of the article, the author notes that the promising product “Poseidon” (also known as “Status-6”, Kanyon and “Skiff”) differs from the existing submarines with greater speed and depth of travel, as a result of which it will have to be fought with the help of new tools. H.I. Sutton tried to determine what new types of weapons could be created in NATO to combat the unusual threat.
The alleged appearance of "Poseidon"
The author notes that the reasons for the appearance of "Poseidon" are not completely clear. The simplest assumption relates this project to the development of missile defense. Modern missile defense reduces the potential of intercontinental missiles, and this requires rebuilding strategic nuclear forces. It is also possible that a new project was launched in connection with the Treaty on the Reduction of Offensive Arms. A new weapon does not fall under its action, and therefore its deployment is limited only by some other agreements of a very general nature. Finally, the Poseidon project may be based on the principle of increasing reliability. A special submarine does not depend on satellite navigation, and thanks to this it can continue to work even if a space group is defeated.
H.I. Sutton believes that the reason for the emergence of the project could hardly be the secrecy of the submarine. "Poseidon" is not a silent unmanned boat, able to penetrate unnoticed into the waters and without warning to deliver the first strike. He also notes that the new Russian development can be attributed to the class of unmanned vehicles, but in essence it is a weapon. Consequently, the modes of operation and routes of the device will be as simple and reliable as possible. Moving along straight routes, the Poseidon will rely not on stealth, but on speed and depth.
The author calls the Poseidon a unique multipurpose weapon that can be used as a strategic or tactical delivery vehicle. In this regard, the product can be considered as a long-range torpedo with a special warhead. Its goal may be coastal cities or moving surface objects.
In the demonstration videos, the Poseidon product was shown as a tactical nuclear weapon, which makes the issue of countering it particularly important. The use of such a system for strategic purposes, in turn, is prevented by the threat of a retaliatory strike and mutual assured destruction. Under these conditions, the means of counteracting such weapons are not needed or can prevent, since one of the parties gets a certain advantage. Such arguments are often used in disputes around missile defense, and perhaps the Poseidon project was created precisely as a response to anti-missile systems.
If the Poseidon was originally developed as a strategic weapon, then some answers appear. With its help, despite the development of missile defense, the possibility of an effective retaliatory strike remains. At the same time, such a system can be used as a tactical nuclear weapon, which imposes different requirements on counteraction.
According to Kh.I. Sutton, just two countries are directly interested in creating means of protection from Poseidon - these are the United States and Great Britain. Both of these states have developed naval forces, which may be the target of Russian vehicles in the role of tactical weapons. In addition, their fleets have hunting submarines, whose task is to search for Russian underwater strategic missile carriers. In the future, they will have to master the search and unmanned vehicles.
The proposed option hydroacoustic complex. A - search hydroacoustic system; B - sea mine; C - Seatooth communication system; D - connection buoy; E - torpedo; F - Poseidon product
Starting in the sixties, western hunter submarines were created in order to follow Soviet ships carrying ballistic missiles. They should have been able to immediately attack and destroy their target, preventing the launch of missiles. Such principles are still relevant, but their implementation is associated with certain problems. Russian submarines have become quieter, and NATO is increasingly faced with a shortage of its submarines to patrol. Search and destruction of enemy submarines can be carried out using various autonomous systems, but in the case of the Poseidon, everything is much more complicated. Even if all the submarines with missiles could be found and destroyed, NATO fleets will have to search and hit autonomous vehicles, otherwise there is a great threat.
Seatooth type maritime network structures
Before the attack, an underwater target should be found, and Kh.I. Sutton is considering the further development of anti-submarine search engines. He believes that the existing stationary hydroacoustic complexes need a special addition. The latter should be a rapidly deployable network of surveillance tools. It may also include its own means of destruction. The presence of weapons will reduce the reaction time, which is critical in light of the high speed of the Poseidon.
Such networks should be placed on the intended path of the enemy’s underwater vehicle. The author believes that an attempt to pursue and attack from the rear hemisphere may not succeed due to the high speed of the target. According to known data, the Poseidon will be able to reach speeds around 70 nodes, which is close to the maximum limit of objects like a torpedo.
For the rapid deployment of sonar systems, patrol aircraft or anti-submarine helicopters must be used. It is also necessary to study the issue of creating a cruise missile with a cluster head unit containing the necessary devices. Such a product will allow as soon as possible to establish a network of surveillance equipment, including in the area under the control of the enemy, where work is excluded aviation.
Typically, sonar buoys are used to search for submarines, having radio contact with the aircraft / helicopter carrier or the coast. However, the great depth of the "Poseidon" can make them useless. In this case, it is necessary to use the equipment installed at the bottom. Such instruments have an additional advantage over buoys: they do not drift, and therefore the network can operate for a long time.
Modern detection tools stacked on the seabed have a characteristic drawback. Individual components of such networks are connected using cables - they increase the weight of the system, and in addition, they are subject to unauthorized connections. These problems can be eliminated with the help of modern wireless communication systems, such as Seatooth from WFS Technologies. Such equipment at short distances can use acoustic communication, and with increasing range, radio is used. At minimum distances it is possible to use optical communication, which provides the highest transmission speeds. It is important that each Seatooth communication unit includes instruments of all three types.
The defeat of "Poseidon" with hypersonic weapons. A - Virginia submarine with VPM module; B is the accelerator separation point; C - hypersonic glider; D - discharge of the payload into the water; E - the trajectory of "Poseidon"; F - meeting the payload to
The interception system may include sea mines and special ground torpedo tubes. They should be equipped with Seatooth instruments and integrated into the common complex. Such a network, as well as new principles for processing incoming information, among other things, could reduce the likelihood of false alarms. It also becomes possible to update the data in the torpedo equipment as you move past the new network nodes.
Placing torpedo launchers along a network of sensors should ensure the correct response to the threat in the form of a “Poseidon”. Due to this, it will be possible to get the most serious advantages over stationary mines. Also, the network anti-submarine complex will be able to transmit data to the coast, which will allow to attract other means to work.
Long Range Defeat
Vertical mine launchers, available on many US submarines, according to Kh.I. Sutton, can be used for firing promising hypersonic rocket gliders with one or another payload. So, such a weapon can be equipped with an anti-submarine torpedo or a special warhead, with the result that it will become a modern analogue of the decommissioned UUM-44 SUBROC complex. Short flight time and long range glider will give the submarine carrier special abilities. In fact, ships in the North Atlantic will be able to attack Poseidon in the Arctic Ocean. In this case, the warhead or torpedo will arrive in a new area before the unmanned vehicle goes a long distance from the place of detection.
An alternative to hypersonic gliders can be “traditional” type rockets or high-speed vehicles with direct-flow engines. According to known data, the United States is currently developing several projects of this kind at once. Similar systems are also being created abroad - China is leading the DF-ZF project, and in Russia the product “4202” or “Avangard” is being created. The author notes that the relatively large size of the first stage of a rocket of this class will not allow it to be made the carriers of the UK submarine.
Torpedoes new generation
The existing models of torpedo weapons used by the naval forces of the United States and Great Britain were created to combat submarines capable of developing relatively high speeds and sink to a sufficiently great depth. However, the available data on the Poseidon project show that the characteristics of modern torpedoes may not be sufficient to combat prospective threats. This means that in order to counter the new Russian development it is necessary to create completely new torpedoes.
Perspective torpedo armament. A - the submarine is launching a torpedo; B - a torpedo rises to the surface to search for a target and obtain target designation; C - torpedo immersion; D - the torpedo is heading towards the target; E - the approaching Poseidon
A promising torpedo weapon, apparently, will differ little from unmanned underwater vehicles. It should be expected that such weapons will be created in both the light and heavy classes. Its caliber will reach 21 inches - 533 mm. The author suggests that it is possible that a heavy torpedo will appear, capable of carrying several samples of a light class or Drones. Such equipment will increase the likelihood of successful target detection, and then simplify targeting and subsequent defeat.
Light torpedoes of a new type should have small dimensions that will allow them to be placed inside an 21-inch torpedo carrier. The latter can carry two torpedoes in caliber 10,5 inch (267 mm) or three 9,5-inch (228 mm). Thus, the promising light torpedo turns out to be noticeably smaller than the existing serial products of its class that are in service with NATO.
As a result, there is a need to create a whole line of three types of torpedo weapons. It should include 533-mm torpedoes for submarine use, 324-mm ammunition for anti-submarine helicopters and surface ships, as well as 9,5-inch caliber products for use with larger torpedoes.
***
From the available information, it follows that the ocean multi-purpose system “Poseidon” is a fundamentally new model of marine equipment capable of solving various tasks, primarily related to the defeat of various surface and coastal facilities. The unique running characteristics of the product contribute to obtaining high combat qualities.
It is understandable why the Poseidon project attracted the attention of foreign experts. Even the limited amount of data available about this development shows how serious a threat it is. Naturally, immediately after the appearance of open information, foreign military and experts tried to identify the real possibilities and threats of the underwater vehicle, as well as to find ways to counter it.
It should be noted that from the point of view of technical appearance, the Poseidon is a cross between super-heavy torpedoes and nuclear submarines, and combines some of their qualities. As a result, there are special technical characteristics, and with them, outstanding opportunities of various kinds. The performance characteristics and strategy of using a multi-purpose system, in turn, turn out to be a serious challenge for foreign military men and designers.
Even a superficial examination of the available data shows that the Poseidon is able to overcome without serious difficulty the resistance of at least parts of modern anti-submarine systems. To ensure an adequate level of protection, promising detection and destruction means with enhanced characteristics are necessary. H.I. Sutton, in his article “Killing KANYON: Countering new Russian Intercontinental Nuclear Torpedoes,” considered the main problems and issues of creating such an interception system, and also made certain suggestions.
The thoughts of a foreign author seem to be correct and logical. Indeed, the presence of stationary and rapidly deployable sonar networks, as well as the use of promising torpedoes and highly efficient control systems can reduce the threat of Poseidon. However, at the moment all these tools are missing. Will they appear, and will NATO be able to effectively confront new challenges? Time will tell. Russia has made its new project, and experts commented on it. The next move in this game is for foreign military men and designers.
The article "Killing KANYON: Countering new Russian Intercontinental Nuclear Torpedoes":
http://hisutton.com/Countering_Russian_Poseidon_Torpedo.html
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