Tag

Submarines

All articles tagged with #submarines

Sunken Ursa Major fuels suspicions of nuclear reactor cargo bound for North Korea
world14 days ago

Sunken Ursa Major fuels suspicions of nuclear reactor cargo bound for North Korea

Spanish authorities probe the sinking of the Russian cargo ship Ursa Major off Murcia after explosions; while listed as carrying non-dangerous goods, investigators are examining undeclared loads—including two large blue containers and manhole-cover-like pieces described as nuclear reactor components for submarines—raising the possibility it was bound for North Korea’s port of Rason, though no nuclear fuel was aboard. CNN and local reports cite seismic signatures and potential torpedo-like damage, with U.S. reconnaissance aircraft monitoring the site and a Russian warship involved in the rescue; two crew members died and 14 were rescued as the vessel sank, and the investigation is ongoing.

Seawolf Shortage Undermines U.S. Undersea Edge in Pacific Rivalry
defense1 month ago

Seawolf Shortage Undermines U.S. Undersea Edge in Pacific Rivalry

Defense analyst Harry J. Kazianis argues that decades after Seawolf was conceived as a Cold War high-end hunter, budget cuts and strategic shifts left the U.S. Navy with only one Seawolf-class submarine ready (USS Jimmy Carter), while the other two remain in maintenance or modified for different missions. The Virginia-class cannot fully replace Seawolf’s capabilities, and the planned SSN(X) won’t come online until the 2040s, creating a growing undersea gap against a rapidly modernizing Chinese and Russian submarine force.

China’s UV Crystal Aims to Enable GPS-Free Navigation for Submarines and Missiles
military1 month ago

China’s UV Crystal Aims to Enable GPS-Free Navigation for Submarines and Missiles

Chinese researchers say a fluorinated borate crystal can convert laser light to 145.2 nm ultraviolet, enabling extremely precise thorium-229–based nuclear clocks that could support GPS-free navigation for submarines, missiles, and spacecraft. If perfected, this could improve “dead reckoning” navigation and reduce reliance on GPS, though practical deployment remains uncertain and the technology is far from ready.

2,080 Tomahawk Cells Vanish as Navy Faces Aging Submarine Gap
defense1 month ago

2,080 Tomahawk Cells Vanish as Navy Faces Aging Submarine Gap

A routine fleet-planning review reveals a shortfall of 2,080 vertical launch system cells as four aging Ohio-class SSGNs and a cadre of cruisers retire, leaving the Navy with a significant conventional strike gap. Even with Virginia- and Columbia-class replacements, shipyard labor shortages, backlogs, and aging hulls mean the gap will persist, complicating deterring and sustaining long-range operations.”

Navy pulls the plug on Boise overhaul, retires aging Los Angeles sub
defense1 month ago

Navy pulls the plug on Boise overhaul, retires aging Los Angeles sub

The Navy decided to inactivate the Los Angeles-class submarine USS Boise after a stalled overhaul that’s only 22% complete; about $800 million has been spent with a projected total cost of up to $3 billion. The decision reallocates funds and skilled labor to new Virginia and Columbia-class submarines, amid long-running maintenance backlogs and limited U.S. shipyard capacity. Boise hasn’t sailed since 2015 and lost dive certification in 2017, illustrating broader challenges facing naval readiness and shipbuilding.

UK and Allies Unmask Covert Russian Sub Ops Near British Waters
military1 month ago

UK and Allies Unmask Covert Russian Sub Ops Near British Waters

Britain and its allies publicly exposed a covert Russian submarine operation near UK waters, saying an attack submarine briefly entered international waters in the High North as a distraction before Russian vessels from GUGI, including an Akula-class submarine, retreated after being tracked 24/7 by the Royal Navy (Type 23 frigate HMS St Albans), RFA Tideforce, Merlin helicopters, and RAF P-8 aircraft with ally support such as Norway. The incident highlights rising Russian threats to underwater infrastructure, including subsea cables, and the government’s pledge to defend them. It also notes a large defence spending push (e.g., £100m for P-8s and the Atlantic Bastion programme) and continued monitoring of Russian activity near UK waters.

Australian Submariners Onboard US Sub in Iran Strike Draw Scrutiny
world2 months ago

Australian Submariners Onboard US Sub in Iran Strike Draw Scrutiny

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed three Royal Australian Navy personnel were aboard a U.S. Virginia-class submarine involved in the attack on an Iranian frigate, stressing they did not participate in offensive action; the incident has sparked debate over naval-warfare legality and underscores Australia’s ongoing AUKUS-related training with U.S. and U.K. submarines as more sailors rotate into SSNs.

Trump relocates nuclear submarines amid Russian provocations
world9 months ago

Trump relocates nuclear submarines amid Russian provocations

President Trump ordered two nuclear submarines to move closer to Russia after social media spat with Dmitry Medvedev, but Russia's response has been dismissive, suggesting no immediate escalation or reaction from Moscow. The incident highlights Trump's unpredictable approach and the potential use of surprise military moves as strategic leverage, though it does not appear to signal an imminent nuclear standoff.

U.S. Navy Welcomes First Female-Friendly Submarine
military1 year ago

U.S. Navy Welcomes First Female-Friendly Submarine

The USS New Jersey has become the first U.S. Navy submarine designed with women in mind, featuring accommodations for a significant number of female crew members. This historic move follows the Navy's 2010 decision to allow women on submarines, and the New Jersey now boasts a crew with about 40 women, the largest on any fast attack submarine. The integration of women is seen as enhancing performance and diversity, with studies suggesting diverse crews perform up to 20% better. The New Jersey is also the Navy's most advanced fast attack submarine, equipped with Tomahawk missiles and torpedoes.

"Congressional Push for Two Submarines Challenges US Navy's Plans"
militarydefense2 years ago

"Congressional Push for Two Submarines Challenges US Navy's Plans"

A House panel is pushing for the US Navy to buy two attack submarines in fiscal 2025, despite the Navy requesting just one. The Navy argues that advanced procurement funds and investments in the submarine-industrial base can compensate for the lack of a second submarine, but lawmakers, led by Rep. Joe Courtney, disagree, emphasizing the need for a consistent demand signal for orders and business. They argue that the industrial base is recovering and expanding, with increased hiring and construction rates, and advocate for continuous procurement at a rate of two submarines per year to support the submarine-industrial base's momentum.

"US Submarines Bolster Defense Against China with New Ship-Killer Missile"
military2 years ago

"US Submarines Bolster Defense Against China with New Ship-Killer Missile"

The US Navy plans to equip submarines with the Maritime Strike Tomahawk (MST) missile, a new version of the Tomahawk missile, to counter China's growing naval power. The MST has a longer range and a new guidance system to engage mobile targets at sea, such as warships. With this upgrade, US submarines will have a powerful ship-killer missile capable of targeting ships up to 1,000 miles away. As tensions persist between China, its neighbors, and the US, the US Navy aims to deter China's naval expansion and maintain its advantage in maritime security.

China's New Submarines Pose Threat to US and Russia's Missile Capabilities
military2 years ago

China's New Submarines Pose Threat to US and Russia's Missile Capabilities

China has launched its first nuclear-powered guided missile submarines, according to a Pentagon report, marking the country's entry into a domain previously dominated by the US and Russia. The submarines, known as Type 093B guided missile submarines, will give China the ability to conduct long-range precision strikes against land targets, significantly enhancing its power projection capability. The report suggests that three of these submarines could be operational by next year, as part of China's wider expansion of its submarine fleet, which could number 65 vessels by 2025. The development of these submarines is seen as an important new capability for the Chinese navy, allowing them to carry out saturated land and anti-ship attacks at standoff range.

Trump's Controversial Conversations: Billionaires, Military Ops, and Nuclear Subs
politics2 years ago

Trump's Controversial Conversations: Billionaires, Military Ops, and Nuclear Subs

Former President Donald Trump criticized Australian billionaire Anthony Pratt and special counsel Jack Smith after reports emerged that Pratt alleged Trump shared sensitive information about US nuclear submarines. Trump denied speaking to Pratt about submarines but claimed they discussed job creation. Pratt is one of several potential witnesses in the criminal case against Trump for alleged hoarding of classified documents. A judge had imposed a partial gag order on Trump, which was temporarily lifted as his legal team challenges it in appeals court. Trump is facing a total of 91 criminal counts across various cases, which he vehemently denies.