In the german military magazine “Soldat und Technik”, there is this month a very interesting article about new technology for submarines.
One innovation is a commutation buoy “Callisto”, which can be drawn, while the submarine is deep under water. commutation functions are UHF, Satcom, VHF, HF and civil like Inmarsat, Iridium. GPS is also on that bouy. In a emergancy situation, the drawn calbe can be cut, so the buoy works like a dritress pinger.
The prototype is big, yellow and not yet stealthy or low-visible.
The other innovation is the modularly multipurpose mast “Triple M” (german: Modularer Mehrzweck-Mast).
The three companies Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft GmbH (HDW, part the Thyssen Krupp Navy systems),Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH (RWM) und Gabler Maschinenbau GmbH (GM) equipped the mast in one version with the recoilless automatic cannon RMK 30 x 230 “Murena”, which was devolped for the helicopter Tiger. The employment of this weapon can be used easy against sea and land targets up to at least 2000 meters distance at periscope- or emerged depth.
Also a AAM system (like Stinger) can be used with that mast.
In another version up to three UAV’s can be lauched with the “Triple M”.
The UAV “ALADIN” was devolped for the German Army.
The last version is a ELINT/COMINT system for the “Triple M”.
To that extent seems such a system seems ideal to be suitable, a certain coast region, for example before suspending special Forces (SEAL’s) to get targert- and geographical characteristics, artificial obstacles or opposing positions.
Both systems are been tested and maybe be built in the next gerneration of the German U212A/214 submarine.
Source in german: PDF-File! Soldat-und-technik.de – Neue U-Boot-Technologien
By: Stealth Spy - 20th October 2005 at 20:57
Aaah…how i wish India had bought the German U-214’s instead to the inferior Scorpenes. Alas its too late.
By: SteveO - 20th October 2005 at 20:43
I wonder if deck mounted guns will ever make a come back on submarines?
A 155mm gun in a streamline mount might work, maybe it could even fire with just the muzzle above water?
By: SteveO - 17th October 2005 at 18:23
I think that the gun is a very good idea, the sub could be used as an invisible picket for surface ships and carry out stealthy patrols against the like of smugglers and illegal fishing aswell as pirates. Not the roles a sub is desighned for but none the less interesting ideas and an added capability.
My thoughts exactly, it would be one hell of a shock to get a cannon suddenly appear out of the water and point at you 🙂
An improved mast mounted gun system, surface to air missile capability and a system like the Lockheed Martin Surveilling Miniature Attack Cruise Missile will make Submarines much more usable. http://www.missilesandfirecontrol.com/our_products/strikeweapons/SMACM/product-SMACM.html
By: sealordlawrence - 17th October 2005 at 01:05
I think that the gun is a very good idea, the sub could be used as an invisible picket for surface ships and carry out stealthy patrols against the like of smugglers and illegal fishing aswell as pirates. Not the roles a sub is desighned for but none the less interesting ideas and an added capability.
By: Arabella-Cox - 17th October 2005 at 00:47
The sub would announce its presence in that case and that can’t be desirable. Neither it nor the (by necessity small) SpecOps team should ideally be detected on their mission. I don’t think the cannon is a very good idea, if it really has only 30 rounds it isn’t viable even in the AA role, compared to the Stinger.
The Stinger and the UAV would be extremely useful though, both offer the sub new capabilities that will enhance its survivability (finally a way to fight back against those pesky helos and MPAs) and recon potential.
By: Wanshan - 16th October 2005 at 23:59
it’s hard to believe, that terrorists will attack a submerged sub. best defence of subs is staying submerged and silent. imho there is no need for this gun (with only 30 ready to fire shells).
Not even in support of SpecOps personnel landing on a beach?
By: radar - 16th October 2005 at 22:11
it’s hard to believe, that terrorists will attack a submerged sub. best defence of subs is staying submerged and silent. imho there is no need for this gun (with only 30 ready to fire shells).
By: fightingirish - 16th October 2005 at 21:41
Yes, I forgot to translate, that it would be a good weapon against small boats full with TNT and terrorists. The development of this system was based on the attack against the USS Cole.
By: SteveO - 16th October 2005 at 19:55
That modular multipurpose mast sounds very useful, the 30mm recoilless cannon would be excellent for attacking small targets that a submarine isn’t normally equipped to handle. An excellent idea in my opinion.
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October 16, 2005 at 6:45 pm