The creation of a new model of equipment with improved characteristics, superior to its predecessors, is always associated with the use of new technologies, as well as with increased costs. An excellent example of this can be considered the American program for the construction of multipurpose nuclear submarines of the Seawolf type. For all their advantages, they turned out to be too expensive - and the plans for the series were cut tenfold.
Generation of a new strategy
The appearance of the Seawolf project was preceded by scientific work on the analysis of the current situation and the prospects for the development of the main fleets of the world. Analysts of the US Navy noted that the potential enemy in the person of the USSR Navy is constantly increasing its potential, and its submarine forces in quantitative and qualitative indicators approached the American ones. Accordingly, in order to achieve the desired balance of forces, the American fleet needed to create new strategies and models of equipment.
In the early eighties, the command of the Navy developed a new strategy for the development and use of the fleet, affecting incl. submarine forces. It provided for keeping the existing multipurpose nuclear submarines on duty on the lines of anti-submarine defense in the ocean. In addition, it was proposed to create a new submarine for active operations in areas completely controlled by the fleet of a potential enemy.
The need to work dangerously close to enemy ships and submarines led to the emergence of new stringent requirements. A promising nuclear submarine was supposed to be distinguished by reduced visibility, but at the same time carry improved means of detection, as well as modern anti-ship and anti-submarine weapons.
The development of the new boat started in 1983 and was carried out by General Dynamics Electric Boat. She also had to master the construction of ships. The lead nuclear submarine of the new project, as well as the entire series, received the name Seawolf - in honor of one of the first nuclear submarines of the US Navy. The project was attributed to the new 4th generation of nuclear submarines.
Technical excellence
At the request of the customer, the new Seawolf boats were supposed to have a number of advantages over the existing Los Angeles. For this, the project had to provide for a lot of innovations of various kinds. New construction materials, advanced devices, etc. were proposed.
The Seawolf project envisioned an increase in size compared to the previous Los Angeles. The length remained at the level of 108 m, but the width increased to 12 m. The displacement of the new boat according to the original design is more than 9, 1 thousand tons. The new robust housing made of HY-100 steel made it possible to increase the allowable immersion depth, and also featured large internal volumes to accommodate the necessary tools and systems.
The power plant is based on a 34 MW S6W pressurized water reactor connected to two steam plants and two turbo-gear units. Responsible for the movement is the main electric motor, connected to a water jet propulsion unit. When developing the latter, American engineers took advantage of the experience of British colleagues who had previously created the Trafalgar nuclear submarine project.
With the help of such systems, the Seawolf submarine was able to reach a maximum speed of 35 knots. Low noise underwater speed - at least 10 knots; at 20-25 nodes, the possibility of full-fledged use of hydroacoustic systems remains. The range is almost unlimited.
The submarine carries a well-developed complex of hydroacoustic equipment. A spherical antenna of the AN / BQQ-10 SJC is hidden under the nose cone. On the sides, three wide-aperture AN / BQG-5D GAS are provided. Due to this, the nuclear submarine is able to monitor the situation both in the front and in the lateral hemispheres. The layout and characteristics of the SAC increase possible situational awareness while leaving minimal dead spots.
The Seawolf project envisaged the use of the General Electric AN / BSY-2 combat information and control system, which unites all surveillance and weapons. Similar devices were installed on the Los Angeles Flight III class nuclear submarine. Modern navigation aids, the AN / BPS-16 radar complex, the AN / AVLQ-4 (V) 1 electronic warfare system, periscopes and other devices for various purposes were integrated with the BIUS.
An interesting feature of on-board electronics is the widespread use of internal acoustic sensors. The boat was equipped with 600 instruments to track its own noises. For comparison, the previous project of a multipurpose nuclear submarine included only 7 sensors.
The armament complex included eight 660 mm torpedo tubes. They were placed on the sides of the hull, due to which it was possible to free the bow compartment for a large HAC. To reduce the acoustic signature, the torpedoes were launched using the so-called method. self-exit - without firing with compressed air.
The submarine's ammunition includes several types of torpedoes, sea mines, as well as UGM-109 Tomahawk and UGM-84 Harpoon missiles. The weapons bay houses 52 missiles and / or torpedoes. The number and types of loaded weapons are determined in accordance with the assigned combat mission.
The ship's crew consists of 140 people, incl. 14 officers. For them, common cockpits and separate cabins are provided. Measures have been taken to improve the comfort of stay and service.
Feature price
According to initial plans, the US Navy was to receive 29 submarines of a new type during the nineties. However, even at the design stage, it became clear that the use of new materials and technologies would lead to an unacceptable increase in the cost of the finished ship. Because of this, plans began to be cut. At first, even before the construction of the lead nuclear submarine began, it was decided to reduce the series to 12 units with a total cost of more than $ 33 billion.
On January 9, 1989, GDEB was awarded a contract for the construction of the lead nuclear submarine of a new design. The USS Seawolf (SSN-21) was bookmarked at the end of October of the same year. It was planned to spend approx. 3 billion, which became a reason for criticism. For comparison, a Los Angeles-class submarine cost approx. 900 million.
Already in 1990, there were calls to cancel further construction and confine themselves to one boat. Nevertheless, in 1991, Congress still allocated funds for the construction of a second ship. The order for a third submarine was approved in 1992, but funding was postponed for several years.
The construction of the lead submarine turned out to be difficult and time-consuming. The launching took place only in June 1995. Two years were spent on sea trials, and on July 19, 1997, the USS Seawolf (SSN-21) became part of the Navy. It took 7 years and 9 months from bookmarking to delivery - not a single American submarine had been built for so long.
The second ship USS Connecticut (SSN-22) was ordered in May 1991 and laid down in September 1992. Launching took place on September 1, 1997. The boat was handed over to the customer in December of the following year.
Third in a series
Only in 1995, the military budget for the next year made spending on the construction of the third Seawolf-class nuclear submarine - USS Jimmy Carter (SSN-23). The contract for its construction was signed in June 1996, and the laying took place at the end of 1998. A few months later, an additional order appeared. The multipurpose nuclear submarine should have been turned into a special submarine capable of solving special tasks. Additional work increased the cost of the project by $ 890 million.
An additional Multi-Mission Platform compartment with a length of approx. 30 m. It provides additional quarters for 50 soldiers, a command post, an airlock, storage rooms for special equipment and equipment, etc. Also, the MMP compartment carries various ROVs. With the help of MMP, the submarine is capable of transporting combat swimmers and ensuring their work, performing various reconnaissance and sabotage missions.
Due to the installation of an additional compartment, the length of the submarine increased to 138 m, and the total displacement exceeded 12, 1 thousand tons. Due to the increase in dimensions, a rudder column had to be installed in the bow of the ship. Standard armament and equipment remained in place. At the same time, combat and special capabilities have significantly expanded.
USS Jimmy Carter (SSN-23) was launched in May 2004. In February 2005, the ship entered the Navy. This concludes the construction of the Seawolf-class nuclear submarine.
Submarines in service
The lead USS Seawolf (SSN-21) entered service in 1997 and soon set off on its maiden voyage. Since the beginning of 1999, the second ship, USS Connecticut (SSN-22), has also entered combat service. Two multipurpose nuclear submarines carry out the tasks of searching for and detecting strategic missile carriers of a potential enemy. They are also involved in escorting ship groups for various purposes.
Over the past decades, the two ships have repeatedly participated in combat deployments and in various exercises. Between these events, small and medium repairs were carried out with docking. In general, the first two Seawolf-class submarines became full-fledged combat units of the submarine forces and supplemented the existing Los Angeles boats. At the same time, in terms of combat effectiveness, they surpassed their predecessors by 2, 5-3 times.
More interesting is the service of the third ship of the series, equipped with a special MMP compartment and corresponding equipment. USS Jimmy Carter (SSN-23) regularly goes to sea, solves some problems and returns to base. At the same time, the Navy is in no hurry to clarify the goals of such trips, and the presence of special equipment on board serves as a hint at the special nature of the missions.
According to various reports, rumors and estimates, the submarine with an MPP compartment is used to support special operations in remote regions. In particular, several years ago, some publications mentioned a secret operation to install monitoring equipment on the communication cables of a potential enemy. How true such reports are is unknown.
Cost-effectiveness
The goal of the Seawolf project was to create a promising multipurpose nuclear submarine capable of effectively performing combat missions in the face of countering the enemy's advanced anti-aircraft missile defense. To do this, a lot of new technologies had to be applied, which led to an unacceptable increase in cost. The expediency of such spending was in doubt, and the end of the Cold War actually put an end to the expensive shipbuilding program. The US Navy received only three Seawolf nuclear submarines, and one of them was decided to be rebuilt for special operations.
Despite a sharp cut in the Seawolf breakthrough construction program, the Navy needed a new multipurpose nuclear submarine. Launched a new project Virginia - less daring, but cheaper. The construction of such boats began in 2000, and to date, the fleet has received 18 combat units; 11 more are under construction.
In the post-Cold War new world, it was not only performance that was decisive, but also price. And in terms of cost-effectiveness parameters, the Seawolf project was inferior to both previous and subsequent developments.
