And they aren’t even nuclear powered.
Since those subs are defensive (defensive attack subs) and don’t need to roam the seven seas, nuclear power wouldn’t offer much. Moreover, diesel subs running electric are very quiet.
Since those subs are defensive (defensive attack subs) and don’t need to roam the seven seas, nuclear power wouldn’t offer much. Moreover, diesel subs running electric are very quiet.
I think the reason that nuclear subs are hard to make quiet is that the reactor needs quite a lot of supporting machinery, which tends to make noise (pumps etc. for cooling), and these can't be quickly shut down. Hence diesel-electric subs can be a lot quieter (but of course can't win in endurance). But a silent sub can still do a lot , especially if it's targets really can't quiet themselves...
The US Navy war gamed against these type of subs and did not win overwhelmingly - they then turned around and rented them from Sweden to develop new strategies. Of course staying away from the coast is a strategy.
That would be quite the understatement. If USS Ronald Reagan had been sunk in a real war the US would instantly have either lost all interest in further war or use the big red button.
There is also the big button that says "full conventional war". I believe that the US has way more options then retreat or full nuclear war.The problem with nuclear submarines is that they are massive and noisy. They need to be constantly cooled and thus require running coolant pumps, which emit audible noise. Also, steam turbines are noisy when running. They cant be cycled as rapidly to full stop and full power, as well as requiring complex gearing to go forwards and backwards. Their only advantage is their near infinite cruising range.
The US-ASW-Capabilities are laughable as of today. They are still fighting their soviet counterparts. They are as of now currently unable to find or fight modern diesel-electric submarines approaching their carriers in any form of exercise. Also, the USN relies heavy on Helicopters, which the russians were unable to counter during the cold war. Nowadays, there exist wire-guided Anti-Air-Missiles which can be launched submerged from torpedo-tubes.
Also, don't discount SSNs in terms of ASW. There's a reason that submariners say the best ASW is another sub.
I wouldn't say the USN relies heavily on helicopters for ASW. They don't really rely on anything since they've let these skills atrophy. About the only investment they've made is in the P8. They've shitcanned the S3, shitcanned SOSUS, and will be in a world of hurt if the PRC decides to get serious about subs.
A diesel motor on the other hand can be shut off completely and on demand, and the submarine can run off their battery which is completely silent.
IIRC- and I don't have a source for this (might've been thedrive?)- Russia has radiation-detecting equipment onboard their subs that helps them in their hunt to find U.S. subs.
The reactor may be sub-critical but the fuel still experiences some nuclear decay and puts off quite a bit off heat in the process. You need to continually monitor this and run cooling equipment, otherwise Bad Things happen.
Interestingly this effect is used in the nuclear “batteries” in some space projects like the Mars rover, Curiosity.