U.S. Navy loses high-tech mini-sub off Norwegian coast

WCBS880 ^

[Sub-Driver]

U.S. Navy loses high-tech mini-sub off Norwegian coast Wednesday May 05, 2004 By DOUG MELLGREN Associated Press Writer OSLO, Norway (AP) The U.S. Navy has been searching for nearly a week for a high-tech miniature unmanned submarine that vanished during a military exercise off Norway, the Norwegian military said Wednesday.

The 11-foot submarine was being tested off Norway when it failed to surface last Thursday, Norwegian military spokesman Cmdr. Thom Knustad told The Associated Press.

The mini-sub, or Battlespace Preparation Autonomous Underwater Vehicle, is programmed before being launched to search for mines and, if necessary, destroy them.

This one didn't return as planned to its mother ship, the USS Swift, a minesweeper. The Swift broke off participation in a military exercise to find the submarine.

The ship has searched everywhere from the fjord leading into the southern town of Kristiansand to deep ocean water some 20 miles out, where the waters can be as much as 1,900 feet deep, Knustad said.

``It's like looking for a needle in a haystack,'' Knustad said, adding they weren't sure if it sank.

The Swift usually has highly trained dolphins aboard to help search for mines, leading some Norwegian media to speculate the animals were being used to find the missing mini-sub.

``I've gotten limited information from the U.S. Navy, and I can't confirm the use of dolphins,'' Knustad said.

Because the sub could surface just about anywhere along Norway's coast, Knustad appealed on national radio for Norwegians to be on the lookout for the torpedo-shaped, yellowish-orange device with a propeller on one end.

[steplock]

Is "Smersh" still in business? Call in 007 to find the mini-sub-jackers!

[Poohbah]

Nope...a giant squid was heard to belch loudly about an hour after the sub went missing...

[ChuckShick]

Because the sub could surface just about anywhere along Norway's coast, Knustad appealed on national radio for Norwegians to be on the lookout for the torpedo-shaped, yellowish-orange device with a propeller on one end.

It responds to the word "Kucinich".

[martin_fierro]

They say... they say... they say...

One of our submarines is missing tonight
Seems she ran aground on maneuvers
One of our submarines...

A hungry heart
to regulate their breathing
one more night
the Winter Boys are freezing in their spam-tin
the Baltic moon
along the northern seaboard
and down below
the Winter Boys are waiting for the storm

Bye-bye empire, empire bye-bye
shallow water, channel and tide

And I can trace my history
down one generation to my home
in one of our submarines
one of our submarines...

Red light flicker, sonar weak
air valve hissing open
half her pressure blown away
flounder in the ocean
see the Winter Boys
drinking heavy water from a stone

Bye-bye empire, empire bye-bye
shallow water, channel and tide
Bye-bye empire, empire bye-bye
tired illusion drown in the night

And I can trace my history
down one generation to my home
in one of our submarines

one of our submarines...
one of our submarines...

One of our submarines is missing tonight
seems she ran aground on maneuvers.

[Citizen Tom Paine]

One would suspect that the "sub" has a pinger built into it which can be tracked.

[Sacajaweau]

You would think so. I'm sure we'll soon read "dolphins find missing sub" IF they want us to know.

[Sub-Driver]

go here for pictures and data:

http://www.bluefinrobotics.com/about.htm

[avg_freeper]

The ship has searched everywhere from the fjord leading into the southern town of Kristiansand to deep ocean water some 20 miles out, where the waters can be as much as 1,900 feet deep, Knustad said

Well, he's...he's, ah...probably pining for the fjords.

[Fitzcarraldo]

LOL probably captured by the Russians.

[Sacajaweau]

We are not alone....just looking in the wrong direction.

[ChuckShick]

probably pining for the fjords

Those damn Norwegian Blues.

[Sacajaweau]

Hey, things disappear....well, not really. We just can't find them....hmmm....WMD

[kevkrom]

Personally, I think they just forgot which section of the parking lot they left it in. Either that or it was illegally parked and then towed.

[curmudgeonII]

Let's hope we find that submarine so that it can help guard us from the Norwegians.

[Junior]

The mini-sub, or Battlespace Preparation Autonomous Underwater Vehicle, is programmed before being launched to search for mines and, if necessary, destroy them.

Maybe it found one...

[TYVets]

All your mini-subs are belong to us.

[Sub-Driver]

well this is a bit odd, Kristiansand is on the southern end of norway at the entrance to the baltic sea. why of all places would they be doing military exercises there and alone? I think it's more of what's on the bottom that's of interest.

[GoLightly]

Sounds almost like some bottle rockets. Ya seen it go, but when there is no report......

[doodad]

Wow did that bring back memories. "She blinded me with Science" was what I worked in the lab at college to when I was there.