San Diego Might Be Home To Swedish Sub

Since 11-07-04

Updated 11-19-04

San Diego Union-Tribune

October 14, 2004

San Diego Might Be Home To Swedish Sub

Navy looking for extra-quiet vessel

By James W. Crawley, Staff Writer

Sometime next year, San Diego may become a far-flung submarine base for ... Sweden? The U.S. Navy, searching for an ultra-quiet sub for anti-submarine warfare training, has asked the Swedish government to send one for an extended deployment that could last several years.

"The Swedish navy is considering the U.S. Navy's request for a submarine asset," said spokeswoman Lt. Pauline Pimentel. "Both navies are looking forward to a decision in the upcoming months." If approved, the Swedes would deploy a Gotland-class submarine and its crew of 23 to San Diego. The newly created Fleet Anti-Submarine Warfare Command, based here, would use the foreign sub to train warships and sonar crews to locate and track non-nuclear submarines used by many nations.

The Navy is trying to improve its anti-submarine tactics because many naval planners anticipate future battles will be in shallow, constricted off-shore littoral waters where small, quiet submarines might lurk. The U.S. Navy's ability to locate enemy submarines has atrophied since the Cold War ended, said A.D. Baker, a noted international naval expert. "We've badly neglected (anti-submarine warfare)," he said.

And, Baker added, the newest non-nuclear submarines being built are very difficult to locate under the best of conditions. The Swedish sub uses an innovative air-independent propulsion system. Unlike conventional diesel-electric submarines used by many navies, the Gotland sub can operate for weeks without surfacing or sticking a snorkel above the sea surface for air.

That need for air to operate diesel generators that recharge the batteries used to operate a sub's electric motors is the Achilles' heel for most conventional subs. While it doesn't have the range or endurance of an American nuclear-powered submarine, the Swedish sub is extremely quiet.

The Sterling engine onboard produces about the same amount of noise as a kitchen blender. That noise is further muffled by sound insulation. One submarine expert said the Swedish sub is so quiet that U.S. sonar may have trouble locating it. "It's a very good submarine," said Baker. "Unless we enhance the (Gotland's) acoustic signature, we won't find it."

During sonar training with other navies' diesel submarines, a noisemaker or pinger is often installed to increase the sub's noise level so that U.S. warships and submarines can find the quieter vessels, Baker said. "We're never going to know it's there . . . without popping on a little noisemaker," Baker said.

The 195-foot-long submarine would be carried here piggyback aboard a heavy-lift ship. The U.S. Navy would pay for transportation and the sub's operating expenses while here, one Navy official said. No cost estimates were available from Pentagon officials, who spoke mostly on background because the deal has not been finalized.

The Navy currently has only one non-nuclear submarine, the Dolphin. The diesel sub, which is used for research and development, is based at the Submarine Base at Point Loma. The 35-year-old Dolphin was severely damaged in May 2002 when it nearly sank in rough seas off San Diego during a torpedo testing exercise.

Forty-three sailors and civilians abandoned ship and were rescued by a nearby research vessel and a Coast Guard helicopter. Because of its short endurance and age, Navy officials said, the Dolphin would not be a realistic substitute for modern subs.

Using a Swedish submarine for extensive training would be a first for the U.S. Navy and would showcase an alternative to traditional American naval culture. While the U.S. submarine force is all-male, several Swedish subs have female personnel, Baker said.

 While women have been crew members on U.S. surface ships for a decade, federal law bans them from serving on submarine crews. "The Americans are going to die because of the women on board," Baker quipped.

From: PGBlueCoat@aol.com
Sent: Monday, November 15, 2004 3:29 PM
To: stratton@hdo.net
Subject: Re: Swedish sub...
Hi Jerry,
                      I have heard about the fuel cell boats. I think they use hydrogen peroxide as a fuel source. I'm not sure I would want to submerge in one, as that is hot stuff. The Germans had a boat they built at the end of WW-2, that operared on the NAVALL CYCLE (hydrogen peroxide) as a main propusion source. We considered it, but gave it up as too dangerous to submerge with, as it is terribly volitile, and can only be stored in glass or pure Aluminum containers. If you put a drop of  Hydrogen Peroxide on a piece of paper, it will ignite by spontaneous combustion. Then the Nukes came along and we put all our resources in them.
                                          Warm Regards,
                                                                          Paul