Posted on 08/26/2006 8:42:31 AM PDT by george76
The Navy debuted its newest nuclear-powered submarine Friday in an Atlantic Ocean swing off the Florida coast, the second in the latest fast-attack class that marks a broad departure from the Cold War-era deterrence boats.
The Texas, which will officially earn a "USS" designator in a commissioning ceremony in two weeks, weighs 7,800 tons, measures 377 feet long and can remain submerged on covert surveillance up to three months. It travels faster than 25 knots underwater and dives farther than 800 feet.
"It's much more effective than any ship I've been on before," said Capt. John Litherland, who has been on more than 50.
"It's not the fastest, but the difference is that it's quiet even at its top speed."
Perhaps the biggest improvement is the ability to travel with a small special forces submarine, nine commandos and their gear. Previous subs would have carried only three Navy SEALS.
That kind of space is premium on a vessel designed to hide and spend most of its life underwater.
Its maximum time submerged is limited only by the amount of food it can carry, because the boat generates its own power and oxygen.
Sailors sleep twelve to a room, on 6 1/2-foot beds with about 3 feet of top-to-bottom sleeping space, the 4-inch deep compartment under it the only place to stow belongings.
That's why they spent four weeks in basic training learning how to fold, crew members joke.
And they've grown to carry less stuff, after training to spend up to six months at a time in the middle of the ocean.
(Excerpt) Read more at examiner.com ...
'Aft' is to 'forward' as 'stern' is to 'bow'.
I wonder what the real numbers are. LOL
Reuters Photo LOL
If it can do better than 25 submerged, I'd say, yup!
That's what the guy who built my many-thwarted boat said, too. I eventually learned what he meant by starboard and port, although it didn't mean much in the nav section aboard the boat.
"Looter man is everywhere."
http://www.looterdude.com/
"USS Texas"
They'd better never serve any of that pansy arse salsa from NYC on that boat.
8-)
.
Heading to Galvestion for commissioing on Sept 9 - http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1690146/posts
I just hope the Navy didn't make it easier for her to secede from the Union.
Gotta hand it to the Sub guys.I had a chance to tour one once.Had to decline.Way to claustrophobic.
Thanks for the link.
I did several searches before I posted.
I thought that this was the first.
That would be the Alfa.
http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ship/row/rus/705.htm
I thought the article you posted was interesting in particular because it showed the progress of the boat to Galveston - Chesapeake Bay / Florida / ??? / Galveston.... Seems like each article has a little info that the others don't.
One thing I asked on another thread, but haven't seen an answer to, yet - is it standard procedure to have the commissioning ceremony in a location other than where the boat was built / christened?
What class sub is this? Not SSN-21.
Ever notice how the southern states like to collect cast off naval vessels as 'musuems'? Battleships, aircraft carriers, even destroyers.
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