USN ASuW Doctrin

[Pillar]

Originally Posted by Molon Labe

Our subs would be tasked to screen CVBGs from enemy subs, to hunt boomers, and to perform ASW barrier patrols around the GIUK gap.

I have a question - what is the particular advantage of using submarines for ASW?

As far as I can tell, surface frigates are just as quiet as a submarine and even more well equipped than a submarine to deal with ASW jobs. The problem is the visual signature, which means any submarine can see you before any acoustic contact is made. Aircraft are also really good at ASW if generously stored with buoys, because no matter how quiet a sub is, a multi-layered active buoy grid will turn up Kilo's in the middle of a convoy if need be. In shallow waters, I'm not sure. Lack of air superiority maybe means ASW by air is not an option. For subs, the limitation to passive sonar (to stay undetected) coupled with slow speed and hence limited area of coverage strike me as the two biggest limitations they have in this regard. The other problem is that they can't attack without becoming "spent", in that they are detected and offer the option of their own destruction to the enemy every time they are used. I know that it is well established that submarines make the best anti-submarine forces, I'm just not clear why really. I have heard it for a long time and never really thought too much to question it. It seems like the only thing weaker in aircraft/frigates for ASW is their vulnerability to *other* platforms than subs, like fighter aircraft or missiles.

So what are the relationships and why do they make good ASW platforms?