Hypothetical situation:
One sub on the surface going at 9 knots Std speed, one below the surface at 1 knot, both going west.
A target is coming from north to south and is just out of range of sonar and surface radar. Assuming they both on a long search leg, who's going to pick up the target first - The submerged boat
By the same token, if there was a ship far to the northwest going south - then it's the surfaced boat.
The submerged boat by sonar tracking over about 30-60 minutes track the sourse and speed of the boat, and then plot an intercept solution. Then surface and flank speed to this point, submerge and do the process again.
During this process batteries are charged, using less fuel compared to beating about the ocean.
The surfaced boat spotting the ship, visual or surface radar has to do the same thing.
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As you can see, it's about 50/50 and luck also plays a part, and one method is not all together better than the other. But a good skipper who uses a bit of common sense is likely to be the one who scores.
BUT the submerged boat preserves his fuel for the chase/positioning phase where he'll charge his batteries at the same time.
The surfaced boat, has 100% battery power, but will be using fuel at a faster rate.
The end result, is that the submerged boat will be on station longer, therefore possibly account for more ships - you didn't think of this
The surfaced might also possibly account for the same amount of boats in a shorter time period, but ..
Starting Odds approx 50% for either method.
Time on station favours sumerged tactics = Higher contact possibilities.
Damaged/sub sinkings favour submerged tactics = Means Less subs sunk = more subs in the force = more enemy ship sinkings.
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It'll be interesting to see if this was even considered by that admiral you keep mentioning. Tell me this doesn't make sense !! (Wait for it
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