Submarine Short-Range Defense System
Abstract
Presently, modern submarines are designed to engage targets with devastating force. Submarine-launched torpedoes can seek and destroy other submarines and large surface ships at varying and long ranges. Furthermore, missiles fired from submarines can attack land targets hundreds of miles from the launch position of the missiles. Generally, both the offensive and defensive capabilities of submarines are formidable. However, shortfalls exist in the defensive capabilities of the submarine. A submerged submarine is vulnerable to attack from directly above, particularly by airborne weapons launched at short range. If an enemy aircraft, or even a small surface craft, can establish its position over a submarine, there is no present defensive capability on the submarine to counter such a threat of attack. This vulnerability to attack is more present in that submarine operations often require that the submarine be brought to periscope depth; that is near but just below the surface. This vulnerability to attack is further present when a submarine is traveling on the surface, and when the submarine is moored at a pier in port.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 20, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADD020223
Entities
People
- C. R. Wallin
Organizations
- United States Department of the Navy