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Old 04-08-11, 11:17 AM   #8
Gargamel
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Try this on for size though.... Totally hypothetical, but of course this would be the forum where it would actually get noticed ().

What about a long range cruise missile torpedo? Ie, a Tomahawk tipped with a short range torpedo.

With ACTUV, there's no reason to move assets into a position where they could take return fire. Even the best sneak attack in sub warfare allows for some reaction time and a snap shot in return. If ACTUV is tracking a target, why couldn't they launch a torpedo on a cruise missile, and allow ACTUV to guide it to the target?

This would be no different than AWACS guiding in fighters for a BVR intercept. The firing decision would still be in human hands, pushing a button, and it avoids the problems of having armed drones crossing international borders. Most countries just grumble and mumble when unarmed drones invade their airspace, but get really upset when armed ones fly over.

The target would have little warning as there wouldn't be any noise until the torpedo splashes a few thousand yards away.

You could imagine one SSN having contact with a fleet of ACTUV's, and timing a launch so it would take out all the target SSK's at about the same time.


Quote:
The ACTUV is diesel-electric with a gas turbine booster "CODAG" (haven't you noticed the sound of it spooling up and down?) (grin)

The lower hull is almost all fuel. So it can go forever on the diesels, but eats fuel at high speed with the gas turbine.
Yes I have heard that. Very cool info. Thank you!.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Combined_diesel_and_gas
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