SSC Sang-O Class

While the North Korean submarine force reflects dated technology by Western standards, North Korean submarines during wartime would present significant challenges, particularly in coastal areas. North Korea has placed high priority on submarine construction programs which are ongoing despite its economic hardships. An example of this is the SANGO SSC, a simple submarine constructed in two variants, for use in the covert insertion of Special Operations Forces (SOF), mining or antisurface warfare. The submarine comes in two different variants, one with torpedoe tubes and the second without but with the capability to lay mines.

The Sang-O (Shark) class submarines are used for special forces infiltration into South Korea and have at times been captured by ROK forces. According to Janes Fighting Ships 2002-3 Sang-o class submarines began to be constructed in 1991 at Sinpo and were be constructing at 4-6 a year by 1996. Reports indicate that only three were built in 1997 and it is unclear what was produced in the following years.

Bitter enemies since the outbreak of war in 1950, the two Koreas remain divided by the most heavily guarded border in the world - one the North regularly attempts to penetrate. The 18 September 1996 grounding of a North Korean submarine filled with 25 heavily armed commandos - stunned the South as communist soldiers waded ashore 90 miles northeast of Seoul. Deadly skirmishes followed for two months as the commandos attempted to flee north, with most of the team being killed along with several South Korean soldiers and innocent civilians. The North Korean submarine got stranded on some underwater rocks, forcing the crew to get out and try to return to North Korea. This prompted a deadly manhunt that lasted over a month (25 of the 26 crew members were shot dead and the South Korean casualties, civil and military, tallied 17).

Once inside the submarine one really wonders how 26 people could have fit in such a cramped space – let alone live. Following this incident, North Korea officially apologized and assured that he would do all his best to prevent such a thing from happening again. Two years later another submarine, a much smaller Yugo class, was found entangled in South Korean fishing nets

Unification Park is composed of unification security pavilion. It was opened in September 26, 2001. To display the tanks and field artillery additionally in the outdoor exhibition area in the future, revitalization of local economy can be achieved in connection with the Jeongdongjin Sunrise Resort displaying the artillery of the armed forces fro the first time in the nation. In addition to the pavilion of North Korean submarine moved and displayed in the site in May 1998, the retired warship, Jeonbukham, was lent for free to Gangneung in order to be reused as an education arena of national security culture from the navy. 

Specifications
Displacement: tons submerged, surfaced
Length: 116.5 ft
Beam: 12.5 ft
Draft: 12.1 ft
Propulsion: Diesel electric
Maximum: Speed 7.6 kts surfaced
7.2 kts snorting
8.9 kts submerged
Mines: 16(?)
Torpedoes: 2-4, 21 inch tubes (533mm) [in some]
Russian Type 53-56 torpedoes
Crew: 19 + 6 divers

Source: GlobalSecurity

North Korea Tests New Submarine in Naval Drills

North Korea's 40m long Sango class submarine (photo : Yonhap)

SEOUL, (Yonhap) -- North Korea has strengthened the intensity of its naval drills this year by deploying a new submarine, prompting South Korea's military to raise its level of vigilance, a government source here said Wednesday.

"North Korea is on naval maneuvers near its bases off the East Sea and Yellow Sea by mobilizing five to six submarines, including a new Sango class submarine," the source said on the condition of anonymity.


"Our military is closely monitoring activities of the North Korean military because it is unusual for the North to strengthen the intensity of its submarine drills," the source said.


In addition to its rudimentary 35-meter-long Sango class submarines, the North recently put the new 40-meter-long Sango submarines into service, according to the source.


On Tuesday, Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin told lawmakers that his military is carefully watching the eastern and western sea borders with North Korea as the North's armed forces have staged seaborne infiltration drills.


Tensions on the Korean Peninsula remain high following the North's two deadly military attacks last year, which killed a total of 50 South Koreans.


The South's military bolstered firepower and surveillance systems near the sea borders with North Korea to counter any possible attacks from the North.

(Yonhap)

Defense Studies

Colombia Navy Seizes Drugs Submarine

The ocean-going, submersible vessel was ready to embark on its maiden voyage, and is capable of travelling long distances.

"It is the first submersible to be seized in the country," said General Jaime Herazo.

The raid was made on Sunday in the remote jungle region of Cauca, close to the Pacific coast, where the submarine was hidden on a river.

The captured vessel "can travel up to 9 metres (depth) underwater," Gen Herazo added, and costs an estimated £1.32 million. The vessels can reach speeds of around 11mph.

 Photo: ColombiaReport

Made out of fibreglass, the submarine has the capacity to carry four crew members. Narco submarines, as they are known, are designed specifically to be nearly undetectable visually or by radar, sonar and infrared systems because they travel just below the surface of the water.

Gen Herazo believes that the ship belongs to "narco-traffickers coupled with narco-terrorists, who received a heavy blow [due to its capture]".

However, no arrests have been made in connection to the discovery, which resulted from a joint operation by the Colombian navy, air force and the inspector general.

Source: The Telegraph

Dead Aim, Or Dead End? The USA’s DDG-1000 Zumwalt Class Program

15-Feb-2011 12:31 UTC

Related Stories: Americas - USA, BAE, Boeing, Budgets, Coastal & Littoral, Contracts - Awards, Design Innovations, Electronics - General, FOCUS Articles, General Dynamics, Issues - Political, Lobbying, Lockheed Martin, New Systems Tech, Surface Ships - Combat, T&C - IBM, Transformation

 67% of the fleet

FY 2012 budget request; Navigation system tested; minor support contract. (Feb 15/11)
The prime missions of the new DDG-1000 Zumwalt-class destroyer are to provide naval gunfire support and next-generation air defense in near-shore areas where other large ships hesitate to tread, possibly even as the anchor for an action group of stealthy Littoral Combat Ships and submarines. The estimated 14,500t (cruiser sized) Zumwalt-class will be fully multi-role, however, with undersea warfare, anti-ship, and long-range surface attack roles.

 True, or False?

That makes the DDG-1000 suitable or another role – as a “hidden ace card,” using its overall stealth to create uncertainty for enemy forces. At over $3 billion per ship for construction alone, however, the program faced significant obstacles if it wanted to avoid fulfilling former Secretary of the Navy Donald Winter’s fears for the fleet. From the outset, DID has noted that the Zumwalt-class might face the same fate as the ultra-sophisticated, ultra-expensive SSN-21 Seawolf Class submarines. That appears to have come true, with news of the program’s truncation to just 3 ships. Meanwhile, production continues. DID’s FOCUS Article for the DDG-1000 program covers the new ships’ capabilities and technologies, key controversies, associated contracts and costs, and related background resources…
Displaying 234 of 23,673 words (about 60 pages)
Subscribe now to DII and stay on top of technical developments, and contract news involving the USA's 14,500 ton stealth destroyer. Coverage includes:
The DDG-1000's convoluted program history, and program cost controversiesNew technologies including a different hull type and new superstructure for improved stealth, all-electric power that could drive futuristic weapons, its AGS 155mm long-range guns, improved weapon launch systems, and a new approach to onboard computing.The ship's corresponding questions, including stealth, naval fire support effectiveness, and its effect on the Navy's force structureTracking of USD billions in contracts and ordersCoverage of key reports and of technical and political developments within the program.Links to related DID stories such as "The Lion in Winter: Government, Industry, and US Naval Shipbuilding Challenges," and "USA: A 21st Century Maritime Posture for an Uncertain Future"Over 15 photos and illustrations
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Anti-submarine grenade launcher demo onboard Swedish FAC HMS Styrbjörn

Demo of the SAAB Dynamics ASW-601 antisubmarine grenade launcher, a train and tilt version of the fixed mounted ASW-600 system, designed for littoral and greenwater antisubmarine operations. The video was shot onboard the Kaparen class Fast Attack Craft HMS Styrbjörn in the summer of 1996 outside the Berga / Muskö naval base in the southern Stockholm archipelago.

Source: ate.aramis.klodzko.pl

Houston Visits Malaysia During Spring Patrol

 SEPANGAR, Malaysia (January 31, 2011) - Sailors of the Los Angeles- class fast-attack submarine USS Houston (SSN 713) standby to come alongside the submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40). Cable conducts maintenance and support of submarines and surface vessels deployed in the U.S. 7th Fleet Area of Responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Catherine Bland)

By Mass Communications Specialist 3rd Class Corey Hensley

SEPANGAR, Malaysia  – The Los Angeles-class fast- attack submarine USS Houston (SSN 713) arrived in Sepangar, Malaysia on Jan. 31, as part of its spring patrol.

Houston’s Commanding Officer Cmdr. David Schappert, said that the subs presence in this country is not only important to the United States but for Malaysia as well.


“The USS Houston is here representing the American Navy,” said Schappert. “We’re here to develop the relationship with the Royal Malaysian Navy, to learn all that we can from our partner, and for regional stability and prosperity in this region.”


Shapperd is hoping that the subs arrival will result in an exchange of ideas and information between the U.S. Navy and the Royal Malaysian Navy.


“We’ve heard a lot of great things about the country and the Navy,” said Schappert. “We’re excited to share things we know about our submarine force, and learn all we can from their submarine force.”


The submarine’s Chief of the Boat, Senior Chief Machinist’s Mate Jay Cherland, said the crew has been working hard during their deployment and hopes they get some much deserved rest.


“We had about two months out, came in for stand down for about two weeks, and then went back out right away,” said Cherland. “The crew has worked very hard and done extremely well. There has been a couple of really big operations in the Pacific, so for them to get out, have a good time, and relax a bit is very important for their health as well as their mental state.”


For many of the Houston’s crewmembers, this is their first time visiting Malaysia. Sonar Technician (Submarines) 1st Class Martin Davis said he is very excited to be here.
“

The fact that it is a Muslim culture makes it even more intriguing, and I’m looking forward to seeing all the nature and cultural sites that this country has to offer,” said Davis. “I’m looking forward to going out into the wilderness, a white water rafting trip, and some of the hiking. The mountain sounds very exciting.”


The Houston measures more than 360 feet long and weighs more than 6,900 tons when submerged. This submarine is capable of supporting a multitude of missions, including anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface ship warfare. With a crew of approximately 110, Houston conducts a multitude of missions and showcases the latest capabilities of the submarine fleet. Houston is one of 43 Los Angeles (SSN 688) class submarines that comprise the backbone of the submarine force.


Attack submarines are designed to seek and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships; project power ashore with Tomahawk cruise missiles and Special Operation Forces; carry out Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions; support Strike Group operations, and engage in mine warfare.

Source: c7f.navy.mil

Unmanned Subs Making Waves in Undersea Warfare

By SETH ROBSON

Stars and Stripes

Published: February 3, 2011

 An Autonomous Undersea Vehicle, like the one being deployed here, will be tested by the NATO Undersea Research Center during this month's Proud Manta exercise in the Mediterranean Sea.

COURTESY OF NATO UNDERSEA RESEARCH CENTER

A technician with the NATO Undersea Research Center monitors an Autonomous Undersea Vehicle during recent testing. The center will use the drone vehicles during this month's Proud Manta exercise in the Mediterranean Sea to test water temperatures and water salinity.

COURTESY OF NATO UNDERSEA RESEARCH CENTER

GRAFENWÖHR, Germany — Unmanned aircraft have been playing a major role in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan for years. Now, the U.S. military is beginning to field unmanned submarines.

In a move that could dramatically cut the cost of undersea warfare, NATO is testing three Autonomous Undersea Vehicles, or AUVs, in the Mediterranean Sea this month as part of the alliance’s largest annual anti-submarine warfare exercise.

The AUVs, dubbed “gliders,” have much in common with their flying cousins, including wings, according to Michel Rixen, a scientist at the NATO Undersea Research Center in Italy.

“They are very similar vehicles although the dynamics are changed a little,” Rixen said. “What is peculiar to the AUVs are buoyancy controls.”

The battery-powered gliders, which are about 6 feet long and weigh up to 130 pounds, can be launched from shore or from a small rubber boat. They move through the sea at less than 2 mph, using a pump that inflates and deflates an internal bladder to change the vehicle’s buoyancy in the same way a scuba diver might inflate a buoyancy jacket, he said.

“The changes in buoyancy require much less energy than a propeller,” he said, allowing the vehicle to stay underwater longer than a propeller-driven AUV.

In 2009, a glider of the same type being used in this month’s Proud Manta 11 NATO exercise completed a trans-Atlantic crossing that lasted 221 days.

The gliders will be at sea for three weeks during the exercise, traveling up to 300 miles collecting data on water salinity and temperature and relaying it to scientists on shore, Rixen said. The data is important because it allows sonar operators to calculate the speed of sound through the water – something that helps them detect enemy submarines, he said.

In the past, such data was collected by manned submarines or surface ships.

“We are demonstrating that military oceanography can be conducted from the office, piloting the gliders remotely instead of sending a big submarine (in the case of covert operations) to do a couple of temperature and salinity profiles in the ocean,” he said.

The cost of sending a research ship to collect such data runs at $25,000 a day or more, said engineer Richard Stoner of the research center.

The three gliders — which were manufactured by Teledyne Web of Falmouth, Mass. — participating in the exercise have been at sea collecting data since Jan. 24.

As Proud Manta kicks off in earnest on Friday with six submarines, 19 aircraft and eight surface ships from 10 nations participating, the gliders moved outside the exercise area east of Sicily, Rixen said.

“We want to be careful in this first contribution,” he said. “We don’t want to have a glider hitting a submarine or vice versa.”

The U.S. Navy has conducted similar exercises with gliders, said Tom Curtin, the research center’s chief scientist.

In fact, the Navy is gradually acquiring more than 100 gliders and fielding them to operational units through the Naval Oceanographic Office, he said.

Eventually AUVs are likely to be fielded with the same capabilities as large submarines, Rixen said. Weapons could also be added to the AUVs, something that has already happened with unmanned aircraft, he said.

“These are some of the aspects that we are considering,” he said. But he warned: “If these toys end up in bad hands that could play against us. Someone could potentially put [weapons] on them. That is something we need to be careful about.”

robsons@estripes.osd.mil

Source: Stripes

Source: 

Russia's 2nd Graney Class Nuclear Sub to Enter Service in 2015

 The construction of the Kazan submarine at the Sevmash Shipyard in the northern Russian city of Severodvinsk began in 2010

The Russian Navy will receive a second Graney class nuclear-powered multipurpose attack submarine in 2015, a spokesman for the Malakhit design bureau said.

The construction of the Kazan submarine at the Sevmash Shipyard in the northern Russian city of Severodvinsk began in 2010. The first vessel of the Graney class, the Severodvinsk submarine, will enter service by the end of 2011.

"The hull of the Kazan sub has been built, but we still have to make many upgrades compared with the first vessel in the series. We are planning to deliver the submarine to the Navy in 2015," the official told RIA Novosti on Tuesday.

The Kazan will feature more advanced equipment and weaponry than the Severodvinsk, which has been under construction since 1993.

Graney class nuclear submarines are designed to launch a variety of long-range cruise missiles (up to 3,100 miles or 5,000 km), with conventional or nuclear warheads, and effectively engage submarines, surface warships and land-based targets.

The submarine's armament includes 24 cruise missiles and eight torpedo launchers, as well as mines and anti-ship missiles.

Source: en.rian.ru

Russia's first Graney-class nuke attack sub to begin sea trials in May

The Oscar class nuke submarine of Russia. The new Graney-class attack subs are set to replace the Soviet-era Akula class and Oscar class subs.

MOSCOW (BNS): Russia's first Graney class nuclear attack submarine, Severodvinsk, is set to begin sea trials in May following which it will be inducted in the Russian Navy by 2011-end.

The submarine, which was floated out in June 2010 after over a decade-long delay in its construction, is presently undergoing harbour trials at the Sevmash Shipyard, an official said.

"The submarine is undergoing harbour trials at the Sevmash Shipyard and is getting ready for sea trials in May," a spokesman for the Malakhit design bureau said.

"It should enter service with the Russian Navy by the end of this year," the official was quoted as saying by Ria Novosti.

Russia began the construction of Severodvinsk in 1993 which was scheduled to be completed by 1998. However, financial and technical snags delayed the project.

The new-generation submarine has a water displacement of 9,700 tons when surfaced and 13,500 tons when submerged.

The large vessel is capable of carrying 24 cruise missiles that include the 3M51 Alfa SLCM, the SS-NX-26 Oniks SLCM or SS-N-21 Granat/Sampson SLCM, and also anti-ship missiles such as the SS-N-16 Stallion. It is also equipped with eight torpedo launchers.

Severodvinsk is the first Graney class (Project 885 Yasen) nuclear attack submarine. Another vessel of this class, Kazan, is presently under construction.

The Graney-class nuclear attack submarines are based on Russia's Akula-class and Alfa-class submarines. They are slated to replace the Soviet-era Akula class and Oscar class subs of the navy.

Source: Brahmand

Russian Navy to Receive New Nuclear Attack Submarine by Yearend

 Russian Navy to receive new nuclear attack submarine by yearend

The Russian Navy will receive a new Graney class nuclear-powered multipurpose attack submarine by the end of 2011, a spokesman for the Malakhit design bureau said on Monday.

K-329 Severodvinsk - 4th-generation Project 885 Yasen/Graney class nuclear sub is designed to launch a variety of long-range cruise missiles

Construction of the Severodvinsk submarine began in 1993 at the Sevmash Shipyard in the northern Russian city of Severodvinsk but has since been dogged by financial setbacks. It was floated out in June last year.

"The submarine is undergoing harbor trials at the Sevmash Shipyard and is getting ready for sea trials in May," the official said. "It should enter service with the Russian Navy by the end of this year."

Graney class nuclear submarines are designed to launch a variety of long-range cruise missiles (up to 3,100 miles or 5,000 km), with conventional or nuclear warheads, and effectively engage submarines, surface warships and land-based targets.

The submarine's armament includes 24 cruise missiles and eight torpedo launchers, as well as mines and anti-ship missiles.

In 2009, work started on the second sub of the Graney class, the Kazan, which will feature more advanced equipment and weaponry.

MOSCOW, January 31 (RIA Novosti)

Source: en.rian.ru

Navy embarks on replacements for aging Trident submarines

The first Ohio-class submarines to arrive at Naval Submarine Base Bangor are pushing 30, and the Navy is preparing to replace them.

By Ed Friedrich

Kitsap Sun

Related

BANGOR — The first Ohio-class submarines to arrive at Naval Submarine Base Bangor are pushing 30, and the Navy is preparing to replace them.

Rear Adm. David Johnson spoke about the changeover Thursday before a luncheon crowd of Navy supporters. Johnson, as Program Executive Officer, Submarines, in Washington, D.C., is responsible for new submarine construction programs.

Fresh out of the Naval Academy, he was assigned to Bangor's Trident Refit Facility in December 1982, coming just as the USS Ohio returned from its first patrol. Much has changed since then. Silverdale was horse pastures and an Elsie's restaurant, he said. There was a Soviet Union, and a Cold War.

Today, stores have overtaken fields, and the USS Ohio doesn't even carry nuclear warheads anymore. It and three sister ships were converted to conventional weapons. Fourteen ballistic-missile subs remain — eight at Bangor and six at Kings Bay, Ga. Over the next three decades, they'll give way to a dozen new ones. The new nuclear fuel cores will last as long as the boats themselves, unlike the Ohios that need a two-year midlife refueling, so the Navy can cover the same ground with fewer subs, Johnson said.

Construction of the first new boat will begin in 2019, be completed by 2026 and it will be patrolling by 2029, Johnson said. The Navy intends to add one per year, through 2040. With a 42-year life span, matching the Ohios, the final boat will remain on duty until 2082, 70 years from now. The first Ohio-class sub will be retired in 2027, followed each of the next 13 years by another.

The Ohio-class boats have 24 tubes for D-5 ballistic missiles. Each missile can carry eight warheads. New subs will keep the D-5 missiles, at least to begin with, but pare down to 16 missile tubes.

"We took a little risk in the number of missile tubes," said Johnson, explaining that the Navy is balancing capabilities with cost so the price doesn't get out of control and threaten other shipbuilding programs.

Development and design work have begun. The Navy received $497.4 million in research and development funding in the Fiscal Year 2010 budget for what's called the SSBN(X) program, and requested $672.3 million more in FY2011. The first boat is expected to cost $6 billion to $7 billion, with the ensuing ones possibly dipping to $5 billion, according to a congressional report.

Johnson has credentials for containing prices. He helped reduce the costs of the new Virginia class of fast-attack subs by $4 billion, and the program won major awards for value engineering and acquisition excellence. He'll use that program as a model, he said.

"They were delivered at less cost, more complete and more deployment-ready out of the chute," he said.
Source: SeattleTimes