Quote:
Originally Posted by TLAM Strike
I think this was covered in that Link I posted. The idea was to place SSKs in a line across the GIUK gap where their sonar would use convergence zones (30 NM sound bounces) to hear approaching subs, either they would hear the pumps of a Nuc or the diesels of a Smokeboat when its forced to snort (couple a hours a day to maintain a battery charge).
If a Smokeboat went silent the SSK would have a hard time to search for it, but it could just wait for it to snort again (a diesel back then could only make around a 100 NM on batteries going dead slow). The diesel boat snorts again and one of the other SSKs in the picket line detects it and calls for a P-2V or P-3 for the kill.
This job a eventually replaced by SOSUS and SURTASS.
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So then our argument comes full circle, in which a Zulu class could almost certainly detect a snorkeling Zulu class, ginormous snout or no. Getting those 8 SUBROCskis on target is a different matter. Whether it could detect a nuclear boat is dubious and even unlikely.
I suspect you would know better than I, but my sources at least indicate the Type XXI and family could go 300+ NM on their batteries. However, that is a span across several days, and if they snorted once per night as you suggest they might be more vulnerable.
To think, you complained about the drag of the Zulu's bridge, look at the nose of that thing!