By Kris Osborn, President, Center for Military Modernization
Precision-guided torpedoes, high-fidelity long range sonar and new generations of “quieting” technologies are all technologies likely to figure prominently in an undersea war between the US Navy and Russia.
Should advanced Russian Kilo-class submarines confront US Navy Block III Virginia-class boats, it would likely result in a massive, high-tech, undersea war with a difficult to predict outcome.
While US Navy Block III Virginia-class submarines do operate with advanced acoustics, antennas and quieting systems, the Pentagon refers to the Kilo-class as a “black hole” given the extent of its reported stealth attributes which include special, high-tech coating materials.
Quieting technologies and sonar resolution and detection range might prove to be the decisive factor in terms of which submarine is able to detect and destroy the other without being seen themselves. Perhaps Virginia-class submarines could launch surveillance drones from its missile tubes and locate Kilo-class submarines from stand-off distances
Russia’s Corroded Carrier & High-Threat Submarines
With one corroded and much damaged aircraft carrier which may never set sea again, and a small fleet of destroyers and surface warships, the Russian Navy is ill-equipped to project global power and operate as a substantial threat or counter to the US Navy. The Russian Navy can perhaps operate as a regional power in the Black Sea or along the Northern Sea Route with its icebreakers. The Russian Navy could possibly also present some kind of a threatening presence in the Baltic Sea … however, while the Russian Navy is likely a threat taken seriously, Russia’s surface fleet does not by any estimate pose a serious threat to US Naval supremacy. This has been the case for many years, as Russia may not have the ambition to become a dominant global naval power such as the US or China.
Russian Submarines … however, present a totally different threat equation, as they not only rival the US in terms of sheer fleet size but may also be competitive when it comes to quieting technologies, firepower, nuclear-weapons delivery and even hypersonic missile attacks.
According to GlobalFirepower.com’s 2023 Military Rankings, Russia operates 70-submarines, two more than the 68 US submarines. Along with fleet size, Russia operates attack and ballistic missile submarines which are upgraded, highly lethal, steatlhy and engineered with a suite of advanced technologies. The presence of Russian submarines, and the threat they pose, have arguably inspired the Pentagon to push the envelope of innovation and production for its own submarine force.
Virginia-class Submarine Breakthroughs
While many details about foreign submarines remain murky, the U.S. Navy’s cutting-edge Virginia-class attack submarines are arguably the best to ever exist.
The submarines incorporate a series of paradigm-changing undersea technologies, computing, and firepower, which could very well place them in a class by themselves. This is particularly true when one considers innovations woven into Block III and forward Virginia-class submarines and massive firepower increases built into the Block V Virginia Payload Modules.
In a variety of operational environments, surface ships and the drones or aircraft they operate could be more “detectable” to enemy radar and sensors when compared to attack submarines. Given these and other variables, Virginia-class submarines are becoming increasingly critical to clandestine “intel” missions in high-risk areas.
Enhancements to Virginia-class submarines, first built into a prototype Block III boat called the USS South Dakota, became operational almost eight years ago. However, in a broad or general sense, Senior Navy weapons developers did say the enhancements related to antennas, coating material, and engine-quieting technologies.
Virginia-class vs Kilo-class Submarines
Block III Virginas also have a Large Aperture Bow advanced sonar and an automated, joystick-controlled computerized fly-by-wire navigation system. Russia’s Kilo-class is described as having some computer automation, yet it seems it would be quite significant to determine the extent to which it can truly rival cutting-edge Virginia-class submarines.
This is of particular tactical significance because advanced Virginia-class submarines are increasingly being used for Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance (ISR) missions to survey high-risk areas such as enemy coastlines while remaining much less detectable than easy-to-see surface ships.
Virginia-Class submarines are engineered with “Fly-by-Wire” capability, which allows the ship to quietly linger in shallow waters without having to surface or have each small move controlled by a human operator. With this technology, a human operator will order depth and speed, allowing software to direct the movement of the planes and rudder to maintain course and depth. The ships can be driven primarily through software code and electronics, thus freeing up time and energy for an operator, who does not need to manually control each small maneuver.
Threat of Kilo-Class Submarines
Current variants of the Soviet 1980s-era Kilo-class submarine feature an improved engine, advanced combat system, and various kinds of cutting-edge noise-reduction technologies. Some in the U.S. naval community refer to this class of Russian sub as the black hole for being relatively stealth.
While the specific extent to which it can rival the U.S. Navy’s advanced Block III and Block V Virginia-class submarines may not be fully known, the Type 636.3 Kilo-class variants are the byproduct of a series of enhancements integrated in the mid-2010s to further strengthen the boat’s anti-submarine and anti-surface-ship mission.
Over the course of several decades, the Kilo-class boats have been engineered with advanced sonar, mine-detection, and avoidance sonar.
A piece in the Diplomat says Project 636.3 is an improved variant of Project 877 Kilo-class designs, which is slightly longer and more advanced.
Enhancements likely to be of larger concern, for instance, include ceramic compounds used as “coating” materials to improve “quieting” technologies, according to a paper published by Russian weapons maker Rosoboronexport.
Such materials, called Anechoic files, are defined as tiles fitted on casings to absorb the soundwaves, resulting in a reduction and distortion of the return signal.
The Kilo-class can fire torpedoes accurately and very quickly in a window of 15 seconds, often using remote-controlled firing capability. The weapons capacity of the boats is detailed in an interesting article from the Federation of American
Scientists.
“The submarine can carry 24 mines with two in each of the six tubes and twelve on the racks. Two torpedo tubes are designed for firing remote-controlled torpedoes with a very high accuracy. All torpedo tubes and their service systems provide effective firing from periscope to operational depths. The computer-controlled torpedo system is provided with a quick-loading device. It takes only 15 seconds to prepare stand-by torpedo tubes for firing: The first salvo is fired within two minutes and the second within five minutes,” the FAS paper says.
It would seem quite useful to determine the extent to which advanced 636.3 Kilo-class submarines can rival advanced U.S. Virginia-class submarines in terms of torpedo guidance, launching, and range.
Of equal importance would be the “coatings” or quieting materials surrounding the exterior of the boat, combined with quieting or enhanced propulsion technologies. The FAS essay also says the Kilo-class can deploy mines from its torpedo tubes, however, it would be quite significant to determine if, like the U.S. Virginias, the Kilos can succeed in launching drones from its torpedo tubes.
Virginia-class Submarines Conduct Reconnaissance
This technology, using upgradeable software and fast-growing AI applications, widen the mission envelope for attack submarines by vastly expanding their ISR potential. Using real-time analytics and an instant ability to draw upon and organize vast databases of information and sensor input, computer algorithms can now perform a range of procedural functions historically performed by humans. This can increase the speed of maneuverability and an attack submarine’s ability to quickly shift course, change speed, or alter depth positioning when faced with an attack.
“The most important feature for maneuvering in littoral waters is the fly-by-wire control system, whereby computers in the control center electronically adjust the submarine’s control surfaces, a significant improvement from the hydraulic systems used in the Los Angeles-class,” a 2016 Stanford University, “The Future of Nuclear Submarines” paper by Alexander Yachanin states.
The U.S. Navy’s 2018 “Commander’s Intent for the United States Submarine Force,” says “We are uniquely capable of, and often best employed in, stealthy, clandestine and independent operations … we exploit the advantages of undersea concealment which allow us to: Conduct undetected operations such as strategic deterrent patrols, intelligence collection, Special Operations Forces support, non-provocative transits, and repositioning.”
Virginia-class subs are armed with Tomahawk missiles, torpedoes, and other weapons able to perform a range of missions; these include anti-submarine warfare, strike warfare, covert mine warfare, ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance), anti-surface/ship warfare, and naval special warfare, something described as having the ability to carry and insert Special Operations Forces. Future Virginia-Class submarines provide improved littoral (coastal waters) capabilities, sensors, special operations force employment, and strike warfare capabilities.
Kris Osborn is the Military Affairs Editor of 19FortyFive and President of Warrior Maven – Center for Military Modernization. Osborn previously served at the Pentagon as a Highly Qualified Expert with the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army—Acquisition, Logistics & Technology. Osborn has also worked as an anchor and on-air military specialist at national TV networks. He has appeared as a guest military expert on Fox News, MSNBC, The Military Channel, and The History Channel. He also has a Master’s Degree in Comparative Literature from Columbia University. Portions of This was originally posted on 19FortyFive.com as part of a syndication agreement to publish their content. You can find more of their content at 1945
