On a side note, there is an interesting excerpt from one of the chapters in Stan Zimmerman's "Submairne Technology for the 21st Century" showing evidence that Russian and Indian subs have had submerged launched anti-air missiles for years..
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Submarine Technology for the 21st Century by Stan Zimmerman
The Russian Typhoon-class strategic missile submarine as well as the Kilo-class diesel-electric boats built for export all carry SAMs, U.S. Navy intelligence sources say. The first indication such a system was operational came in 1983 when electronic support measures on a Norwegian P-3 patrol aircraft identified radar emissions usually associated with SAMs from a Typhoon.
The first visual indication a subarine SAM (which we'll call a subsam) was fitted on the Typhoon came with identification of a hinged blast delfector on the top of the sail. Hinged on the forward end, the deflector is raised when the missile is fired on the surface to prevent injury to personnel in the conning tower and damage to various periscopes and other mast between the deflector and conning tower. The deflector is prominent on the Kilo-class boats, but blends into the sail on the Typhoon.
The subsam is housed in a circular pressure-tight compartment about four feet in diamter. The launcher is trainable both horizontally and vertically, sitting atop a periscope-like extension when deployed. The subsams are contained in a circular frame similar in appearance to an anti-submarine warfare RBU-series launcher. The system contains at least 12 and perhaps as many as 18 missiles. An optical range finder is fitted in the center of the launcher. The system is sighted from the submarine's control room. The sources say the launcher can be extended from underwater to the surface like a periscope.
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Interesting, no?:hmm: