[G2B]

Originally Posted by vanjast

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 )

Lets throw a flying thingy in this set up.

Your boat running on the surface detects a plane, now depending on weather conditions and the course of the aircraft you may not have to dive to avoid detection, perhaps just slowing down a bit to eliminate your wake. Even if you have to dive your only down for a few minutes, again depending on weather conditions to determine your depth to avoid detection (any way to save a % of batteries) surface and go on your way. I learned the hard way about planes a foolish mistake that cost my boat and crew. Lesson learned, DON'T MESS WITH THE FLYING THINGIES If it says HOT don't touch it.

Now submerged boat, lets say your running at P depth with radar up looking for planes. Suddenly you get a ship contact but to intercept you have to surface and run flank to get into position, five minutes into your surface run you have a plane contact, again depending on weather conditions and course of the plane you may either have to slow down or dive to avoid detection (burning more batteries) now your losing time to get into position. Now lets say the ship contact is a TF or convoy with escorts, you get into position sink a couple ships and the escorts are on you like bee's on honey, DC's raining everywhere and your batteries are starting to run low. Flank speed is not what it was so its getting harder to avoid explosions, now your taking damage the crew is getting injured and panicky, WE HAVE FLOODING SIR how much time till batteries are done? Could have used that 25% more power about now.