Yet another sub collision

[Sionnach Glic]

:
In what a U.S. military official calls an "inadvertent encounter," a Chinese submarine hit an underwater sonar array being towed by the destroyer USS John McCain on Thursday.

The array was damaged, but the sub and the ship did not collide, the official said. A sonar array is a device towed behind a ship that listens and locates underwater sounds.

The incident occurred near Subic Bay off the coast of the Philippines.

The official, who declined to be named because the incident had not been made public, would not say whether the U.S. ship knew the submarine was that close to it.

However, the Navy does not believe this was a deliberate incident of Chinese harassment, as it would have been extremely dangerous had the array gotten caught in the submarine's propellers.

The Navy has complained in the past that Chinese vessels, including fishing boats, have deliberately tried to disrupt U.S. naval activities in international waters near China. In one widely publicized incident in March, five Chinese vessels maneuvered close enough to the USNS Impeccable to warrant the use of a fire hose by the unarmed American vessel to avoid a collision. The Navy later released video of that incident.

[Tsukiyumi]

Seems to be a shortage of capable sub drivers lately.

And the Chinese need to stay the f*ck away from our ships. The ocean is huge. There's no good excuse.

Also: "damned asian drivers!"

[Captain Picard's Hair]

Now I've got to wonder: does the submarine driver get points taken from his license for this? Will the sub's insurance premiums now rise?

[stitch626]

Though you have to admit, they were quiet enough to hit it.

[Tyyr]

No, they were stupid enough. The only sub the Chinese have that might be able to sneak up on a US ship are their Kilo class diesel/electrics. Their nuclear subs are the definition of pieces of shit.

[Sonic Glitch]

Regardless of how close or quiet they were, shouldn't a good sonarman get some indication that something has closed to within a few feet of the array/ At least enough warning to maybe start winching it back in?!?!

[Tyyr]

Depends on how they approached it. A towed array isn't a 360 degree listening device. They're typically more lateral devices. So if a Kilo came up behind it they might not have heard it. In fact there's a chance that's why the collision occurred. The sub crawled up behind them then the US sonar operator caught something, the captain turned the ship so the towed array could get a better listen and the Kilo ran into it.

[Foxfyre]

Depends on how they approached it. A towed array isn't a 360 degree listening device. They're typically more lateral devices. So if a Kilo came up behind it they might not have heard it. In fact there's a chance that's why the collision occurred. The sub crawled up behind them then the US sonar operator caught something, the captain turned the ship so the towed array could get a better listen and the Kilo ran into it.

True prob what happened.....but I must say thats one helluva way to find the sub

[Sonic Glitch]

Depends on how they approached it. A towed array isn't a 360 degree listening device. They're typically more lateral devices. .

Didn't think about that. Do surface ships have any 360 degree coverage? Or is it separate lateral, stern, and bow systems?

[Tyyr]

Typically there's not much coverage directly aft.

[Deepcrush]

Very little aft sight for ships. Props cause some nasty trouble.

There's also the chance that the US Captain knew they were there and just didn't care. The PRC isn't going to fire on a US ship and its better they think we can't track them then know we can. Another chance is that the US Captain knew the sub was there and allowed the sub to hit the SONAR system. I'd bet that was a nice freak for the PRC crew...

[Tsukiyumi]

...Another chance is that the US Captain knew the sub was there and allowed the sub to hit the SONAR system. I'd bet that was a nice freak for the PRC crew...

Yeah, running into anything in a submarine is bound to freak people the f*ck out.

[Deepcrush]

"Sir, the Chinese sub is right behind us!"

"Well then, hard to starboard."

"Sir... aye Sir?"

Cut to scene as the US Destroyer turns, of course this leaves the SONAR still for just a few seconds as the cable slacks...

[Foxfyre]

I bet it rang like a .... well chinese gong

[Tyyr]

A towed array is like a thick cable.