Wow, now that the LCS escorted convoy (another thread) has defeated the exocet strike, the convoy is now continuing on its way to its destination. The mine group's actions, suicide boats and the possibly most important Kilo SS will come into play.

 

In order to get the SS into the fight, it needs to speed up. This began my concern for its safety in doing so; how will cruising effect the Kilo's detectability? I ran a quick exercise. Here is what I have determined after a quick look:

• The submerged Kilo max's out at 10kts submerged.
  
• The optional ALQ-22 sonar carried by the LCS is a dipping sonar requiring the platform to be hovering/dead in the water.
  
• Even if it successfully dipped the sonar, the LCS's active sonar range was only 2, Base of 4*1 Sea State *0.5 Anechoic Coating, calculating to 0.0-0.8 / 0.9-2.2 / 2.3-3.0 range. While I'm sure realistic, I have "0" first hand knowledge, not as effective as I would have imagined.
  
• Sub starts its movement about 20nm from the Task Group, so it can move virtually at will.
  
• I started the mission with an air complment exclusively of RQ-8's. This will seriously hamper my ASW effort unless I magic move some "land-based MH-60R's to operate out of the airstrip at Port Kown.
  

We continue to march...

I've been surpised by how difficutl subs are to detect, especially when moving slowly. Its a big sea out there, and as you point out sometimes you need to be within a few miles to have any chance of detecting a sub.

 

I guess not all subs are creeping around at under 10 kts, which makes them more detectable.

I've been surpised by how difficutl subs are to detect, especially when moving slowly. Its a big sea out there, and as you point out sometimes you need to be within a few miles to have any chance of detecting a sub.

 

I guess not all subs are creeping around at under 10 kts, which makes them more detectable.

 

Indeed, you've got to actually keep up with the group you're shadowing.