By Kris Osborn, President, Center for Military Modernization
Quietly conducting clandestine reconnaissance missions close to enemy shorelines, launching small groups of Special Operations Forces undersea attack units and controlling undersea drones to probe and target the boundaries of an enemy perimeter and surface force …. Are all likely critical missions expected of the new in development US Navy SSN (X) future attack submarines. While the technological advances now being built into Block V Virginia-class attack submarines might seem difficult to exceed, the Navy is amid early conceptual work and experimentation on a series of possibilities for a new generation of attack submarines to emerge in the 2030s.
Attack Submarines
There are not many available details regarding what this submarine might look like, however several industry developers have suggested it may wind up being much larger than the existing Virginia-class boats. Several years ago, an interesting report from USNI cited expert industry developers saying that there may be certain acoustic or quieting advantages associated with a wider submarine hull, as it would allow “ship designers to build in more sound-deadening technology” and increase the boat’s speed.
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The industry official cited in the USNI report suggested that the new SSN(X) could wind up being as large as a Columbia-class boat. This means the new submarine will potentially travel with a much heavier arsenal of firepower such as Tomahawk cruise missiles or torpedoes and also, perhaps of even greater significance, be able to transport larger groups of SOF forces and launch many more drones.
New undersea drones are increasingly able to take off undersea from submarine missile tubes, enable new mission possibilities to counter mines, find enemy surface ships and submarines or simply conduct secret reconnaissance missions in high-threat areas. This would make sense, because although the Virginia-class Block V boats are loaded up with as many as 40 Tomahawk missiles for expanded firepower, they are also increasingly capable of undersea ISR missions due in large measure to advances in undersea “quieting” technologies. In fact it would seem likely that a new SSN(X) submarine would incorporate new generations of quieting technologies by perhaps building upon those now being built into Virginia-class submarines.
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Many Virginia class Block III and beyond submarines are now operating with a handful of innovations initially built into a prototype USS South Dakota Virginia-class block III boat years ago. While many of the details of this were not available for security reasons, generally speaking the innovations related to new coating materials to lessen a boat acoustic signature, next-generation antenna technology for more secure and longer-range communication and special “quieting” technologies built into the propulsion system.
Block III Virginia boats are also built with a “fly-by-wire” navigation system where speed, depth and power can be automated to the extent needed by a built-in computer system, removing the need for a manual hydraulic navigational system. The ability to launch and recover drones and launch SOF missions are perhaps the most critical elements of the planning now being built into the SSN(X). With this in mind, years ago the Navy embarked upon a special SOF “analysis of alternatives” to help establish the most optimal methods of deploying special operations forces from undersea. They can rescue hostages, conduct covert reconnaissance or stage ambushes from undetected locations.
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Added to this are not only undersea transport systems for SOF but increasingly autonomous mine and submarine hunting undersea drones. These new drones are not only vastly improved in terms of autonomous navigation and sensing but also progressing quickly when it comes to real-time undersea networking. One mine-attacking undersea drone, called the Barracuda, can semi-autonomously track and destroy enemy mines, detonating them upon confirmation without needing human intervention though wireless undersea communications.
A larger new attack submarine, therefore, could greatly multiple tactical options for SOF delivery, weapons attack with greater firepower and an unprecedented ability to launch and operate unmanned systems from beneath the sea.
Fly-by-Wire Controls
Manual navigation controls such as the mechanical hydraulic system used in SeaWolf and early Virginia-class submarines. Certainly a manual mechanical system might be much more prone to human error as compared to the computerized “fly by wire” navigational system now operating in Block III Virginia-class attack submarines. Depth and speed of these submarines can be adjusted by a joystick and then monitored and controlled to a certain extent by computer automation. The computer system may also be integrated into acoustic sensors such that it can receive timely alerts in the event that there are objects, debris, mines or other obstacles likely to cause a collision. With Fly-by-Wire technology, the boats can primarily be driven through software code and electronics, removing the need for human operators to make every small maneuver. Using real-time analytics and an instant ability to draw upon and organize vast data-bases of information and sensor input, computer algorithms can now perform a range of procedural functions historically performed by humans. Using Fly-By-Wire also makes the submarine quieter and less detectable to an enemy.
The accident with the SeaWolf simply underscores the importance of migrating to Fly-by-Wire for safety reasons, and there are also key tactical reasons why Fly-By-Wire makes a difference for the future. Submarine sensor technology has evolved substantially in recent years and Virginia-class attack submarines in particular are increasingly being thought of as ISR or surveillance platforms. They are of course often able to move closer into high-risk enemy territories without being detected whereas approaching surface ships can of course be seen at great distances. As far back as 2018, the Navy published a “Command
er’s Intent for the United States Submarine Force” document which highlighted the importance of secret surveillance missions for attack submarines.
“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,” the Navy strategy document writes.
Kris Osborn is the Military Affairs Editor of 19 FortyFive 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 Masters Degree in Comparative Literature from Columbia University. —
We welcome our readers to our community and appreciate you noticing our content. The Center for Military Modernization accepts and partially relies upon subscriptions from those passionate about the importance of military modernization. We hope you will subscribe and consider joining our community. Thanks again for considering and PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE through Patreon.
