This is an interesting addition, basically a ballistic missile tube, so that the SSGNs and the Virginia's can all use the same units, both for SEALS and Tomahawks.
John, the main reason I think they do this is they have spent a lot of money on developing the inserts for these tubes for SEALS as well as Tomahawks. So now, basically, to prepare a sub for a mission you can load one tube with Tomahawks and one with everything the SEALS need to get to a target, and another with their living quarters. It is acyually a sound, efficient design, as it goes to both the Fast Attacks and the SSGN's. Amazing that someone actuall was efficient in something, related to the Govt, but it was the submarine service...
Actually, it seemed Rickover had very little concern for what was forward of the reactor. I think his main concern was that it be good enough to keep "his plant" safe. Whatever else it was there for, was somebody else's business.
Nope, check out the PBS show Rickover, it ws a good show about just how he became who he was from WW2 to his death. Very good and well played by whoever did it. He was an engineer in WW2, and stayed one, he was never a line officer.
Yep. I thought it was very well done, maybe emmy for documentary. Guy who portrayed him did a great job, I am still looking for the article by the guy who worked for him, I think you will like that one too.
very interesting people, those who first learned about nuclear energy and its use ... a tech revolution which continues to this day! . Thank You!!! -- j .
Thanks, root, I see that on the other webpage. Only took about 10 minutes of trash being fed from that crappy website to see the link to the other page. Oh for the days of simple html and no barffeathers tracking ads and mouseover rubbish.
I know, I really do not like to post links to such places, but nice, clean websites are becoming scarcer and scarcer. It's all about the clicks, thank the Great Google monster...
Thank you,sir, I understood that, but the website thing is a very valid point. They all seem laced with click-bait. I know some of us here do like to discuss military and technology. Even from an Objectivist view, it is useful to stay awake and alert to what is going on around us.
Root, they also plan on adding in 4 more tubes to the older boats aft of the sail, just cut them in half, move the parts away, add the section, re weld and wash...then a pretty paint job.
Well, that is sort of true. But if they do, they will also put the whole sub down, as it is integral to the hull. The chances of damaging the hatch are very small, unless you have an accident, or a near miss with something big. Overall, it is a good improvement as it standardizes all the equipment used for submarine Tomahawk weapons, as they convert the rest. This is the same technology used on the SSBNs converted to SSGN.
Just the first thought that popped into my head when I saw it. I was thinking not of blowing the hatch off, but just stopping it from operating. I am sure that a lot of thought went into the development process including dealing with that very cursory observation.
Well, it is a good question, as it does become a single point of failure part. I do know that there are manual ways to operate these hatches, so some thought went into it. But some damage could effectively stop it. But that is true of almost any system, so the only thing is to engineer around it.
It is forward of the pressure hull, in a freeflood space, behind the sonar dome. It is not a significant liability.
Subs are damn tough. Below is a link to a pictures and info on a LOS ANGELES Class sub that ran into an underwater mountain at speed. Also, note the freeflood space damaged. Pressure hull is behind this, One person died, from smashing his head during the collision.
Thoritsu, I was active when that happened. There were the usuual stories that she hit the "uncharted mountain" but there was also a lot of stories she was on a spec op and got too close to what the she was listening to. Note in the picture the top port side hull is pushed in. A lot of the sphere also looks pushed in. I also work with someone who was onboard, the guy who was killed was catapulted from his rack and hit his head. He tells me that he was just as happy to be on watch that time.
Also, they used what is known as a "freshwater" dome. The fresh water gives them a predictable platform to make calculations for bearing on. Tridents have a saltwater dome, but I don't know if the fast boats have changed to them.
I would absolutely Love that mini-sub!!! -- j
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guy also. . surely he was. . maybe I just dreamed it. -- j
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it showed oak ridge where I worked for 33 years!!! -- j
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energy and its use ... a tech revolution which continues
to this day! . Thank You!!! -- j
.
Subs are damn tough. Below is a link to a pictures and info on a LOS ANGELES Class sub that ran into an underwater mountain at speed. Also, note the freeflood space damaged. Pressure hull is behind this, One person died, from smashing his head during the collision.
http://m.static.newsvine.com/servista...