U.S.N buys Ruskie sub

[Kapitan]

Yesterday afternoon the U.S navy announced its intentions to buy and restore a Russian Nuclear submarine.

The submarine in question is known as K123 and currently holds the record for the fastest submarine in the world.

The K123 was built in the 1970’s and is one of seven made, the U.S navy claims this submarine is to be bought at the cost of $4 million U.S Dollars.

The plan is to load the submarine onto a transport ship and then take it back to Norfolk harbour Virginia where specialist personnel can inspect and repair the submarine.

The submarine was removed from Russia’s active duty list permanently in 1995 and has sat waiting for disposal on the Kola Peninsular.

The submarine is to arrive at Norfolk some time next march, it will be the very first time America has stated her intentions to Russia.

Admiral Degalo told interfax “it is a great moment for this submarine, these submarines represented the skill of Russian engineers at the height of the cold war”

The U.S navy claims that the submarine will not be used in front line service but will become a platform for high speed research and later a special target practice submarine, the U.S navy also released the submarines new name “U.S.S Discovery SSRN 2.”

It’s believed that the U.S navy will adapt and modify the submarine for their own use, but the real question is will the submarine be seaworthy when she arrives?

[goldorak]

I don't like it.
Its like giving for free (4 milion dollars ) a strategic asset.
It makes no sense, from the russian perspective.
If the navy is in so bad a financial situation, I don't think that 4 million dollars would improve significantly the finances.
Silly russians.

[Winston]

I don't know, it would only cost the Russians to scrap it anyway. Looks like they got an opportunity to not only get rid of one more hull that needed disposing of but made a bit of cash at the same time.

[diver]

Taken out of service in 1995?

I think the Canadians will be able to testidy that submarines do not like being put back into commision after more than a decade on the scrap heap.

And I hope none of the USN blokes they get to man her want to have anymore children.

[The Avon Lady]

Originally Posted by goldorak

a strategic asset.

A rusty bucket from the 70's is a strategic asset 30 years later?

[SkvyWvr]

Originally Posted by The Avon Lady

A rusty bucket from the 70's is a strategic asset 30 years later?

Sure, look at some of the US's Carriers.

[The Avon Lady]

Originally Posted by SkvyWvr

Sure, look at some of the US's Carriers.

I assume the Russians ripped out anything of true value just like I assume the carrier USS Intrepid, now serving as a floating museum in New York, no longer contains military sensitive equipment.

[SkvyWvr]

Originally Posted by The Avon Lady

I assume the Russians ripped out anything of true value just like I assume the carrier USS Intrepid, now serving as a floating museum in New York, no longer contains military sensitive equipment.

That all depends on their Mothball system. The US puts ships to be decommissioned through a full overhaul, loads it with supplys and covers the weapon/electronics with spray on covering. The intent is to able to reactivate them within 60 days if necessary. Only after years of being in Mothball are ships either sold or scrapped. Thats when they are stripped.

[UglyMowgli]

the Alfa use a liquid cooled reactor and that kind of reactor demand a lot of care and maintenance even if the sub is on dock (wihout heating the coolant solidified) so at this time the K-123 is unable to take sea and even if this new is true, what i doubt a lot, the navy will have to make a lot effort and spend a lot of money to make it operationnal or prepare a barge with heating system before convoy it to USA.

[goldorak]

Originally Posted by The Avon Lady

A rusty bucket from the 70's is a strategic asset 30 years later?

Well you might consider that the form of the hull could represent an asset.
Russians were very innovative with hull design, and by giving away the sub to the americans basically for free , the us navy maybe can learn some one or two tricks about designing efficient hydrodynamic hulls that could be used in future us subs.
Its the same thing about propellers, I don't see the us navy selling polaris submarine propellers 25 years give or take after retiring the subs from service.

[August]

Originally Posted by The Avon Lady

A rusty bucket from the 70's is a strategic asset 30 years later?

Possibly, B-52s for example are that old and older.

[Bort]

Just to put an end to the whole "can the 688 class go under the ice or not" debate, according to the USNI Ships and Aircraft of the US Fleet (18th ed.) the original 688 class "lacks under ice or mine laying capabilities." These shortcomings were rectified in the 688I design, and was the primary reason the planes were moved from the sail to the hull. Sturgeon class subs however, had ice hardened sails and could surface through ice, and carried out most arctic research missions until they were all finally retired.
The reason the 688 class was not designed to go through ice was probably rooted to the overall concept behind the class. The 688's were intended to operate with CVBG's and therefore being ice hardened was probably thought to be unnecessary.

[Kapitan]

The 688i's were changed good idea that was they are good boats but now old seawolf is alot better, if only the USN had 40 of them.

[fredbass]

Originally Posted by Kapitan

The U.S navy claims that the submarine will not be used in front line service but will become a platform for high speed research and later a special target practice submarine, the U.S navy also released the submarines new name “U.S.S Discovery SSRN 2.”

Makes sense to me. We needed something to play around with that would test some of our own subs and ships capabilites and limitations. And I guess a fast 4 million dollar subject seemed like a pretty good deal.

[JSLTIGER]

It had to have been a joke. The titanium in K-123's hull must be worth more than $4 million...remember folks, the Alfa subs used to be referred to as "The Goldfish."

However, if it hadn't been a joke, it's notable to point out that K-123 would provide valuable insight to the US Navy as to hydrodynamic hull and propeller shapes, as well as valuable knowledge regarding system automation.