New Navy nuclear sub debuts in Atlantic

[madokie]

By TRAVIS REED, Associated Press Writer
Sat Aug 26, 4:54 AM ET
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060826/ap_on_re_us/navy_submarine


ABOARD THE U.S. NAVY SUBMARINE TEXAS - 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.

[MADem]

1. Ah, the joys of littoral warfare! NT

[Ezlivin]

2. I wonder if they still have to Rig for Red

On my old boat we had to Rig for Red when we went to PD or surfaced for night ops.

With this new fiber-optic "scope" that uses displays, I wonder if upper level ops is always white lit?

[hootinholler]

5. Sounds like it would be white light...

On my ustafish we were always red in ops on patrol.

I wouldn't like a non optical scope, can't give the OOD a black eye.

-Hoot

[Kickoutthejams23]

3. Now if we only find an enemy with a navy.

[wakeme2008]

4. And the reason we need 30 of this is

WHAT

..more from the article

The Texas was built at a Newport News, Va., shipyard, where all or parts of the first 10 subs of the Virginia class are being built. It cost $2.7 billion and arrived about a year late for trials, though Navy officials expect future expenses and construction to be lower and smoother. The entire class could eventually number 30 submarines.