Subsim's Continuing USS TEXAS coverage

Sea Demon · 08-14-06, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Henson

Please don't really ask that, but I AM curious to know how they justified the new ships control party (pilot/copilot...how Seaquest is that??). The whole pilot/copilot thing intrigues me, but the learning process from helmsman --> COW --> Dive seems like it will get short-circuited somewhere and we're going to lose some proficiency at shiphandling. I'm not normally a traditionalist, but...we're not australians.

5 drivers made me feel safer.

Actually, that's a very interesting point you have there Henson. Sounds like a good question to me. Are U.S. submarine sailors going to lose shiphandling proficiency as a result of the new ship control configuration?

goldorak · 08-15-06, 03:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sea Demon

Actually, that's a very interesting point you have there Henson. Sounds like a good question to me. Are U.S. submarine sailors going to lose shiphandling proficiency as a result of the new ship control configuration?

That question seems a bit on the secret side.

Anyway not being a sailor i'll just put in my .02 € maybe they designed it that way because its more efficient and not less efficient ? :hmm:

XabbaRus · 08-15-06, 05:34 AM

Here's mine.

If they really wanted too, say they got bored, can they load DW up onto the system and play multistation multiplayer? Ya know, they can get bored and at least they could pretend to shoot stuff and see it getting blown up too.

As it is the USS Texas, ask him, where's the Bar-B-Q compartment, also what's his policy on illegal Mexicans trying to sneak in?

Sub Sailor · 08-15-06, 07:06 AM

I would like to know about the Reactor Plant-what model and also about noise reduction, especially compared to the Seawolf.
What is the weapon load out.
I would enjoy hearing about living conditions. I made a lot of patrols on older boats and we use to carry movies. I would enjoy hearing if now the boats have DVD players instead of movies, and about the ships entertainment system. We used to have four channels and it was cassettes. I would assume it is the newest around. Neal ask if they have room for books, we use to really be kept up to date on reading material. We also had colleges classes all of it could and helped fill in time.

Thanks,

Ron Banks MMCM(SS), USN(Ret)

LoBlo · 08-15-06, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XabbaRus

As it is the USS Texas, ask him, where's the Bar-B-Q compartment, also what's his policy on illegal Mexicans trying to sneak in?

mmmmm.....bar-b-q. Now I'm hungry.

*goes* to warmup some bar-b-q leftovers from last week*

CapnSteph · 08-15-06, 11:03 AM

I have a few questions, some of them he may just stare at you and not answer, but I'll post them anyway.

1. Operational/Crush depth. The Seawolves were HY-100 steel, and the LA were HY-80 steel, curious to see if they reverted back to old hull material on the Texas, or if they kept the same hull material that was used on the 'Wolf.

2. Weapons loadout. I know that they reverted back to the 4 21 inch tubes in the Virginia class, but it would be interesting to see if they somehow managed to load a larger complement of torpedoes in the same given volume as a 688.

3. Whether the Virginia is good enough to warrant cancellation of the Seawolf class. This is a question he will obviously be biased about, but it would be interesting to see an actual Captains take on this debate. In my very insignificant opinion, the Seawolf is the queen of the deep water, and I believe that national security is worth the 1-2 Billion per boat. Jesus, we bought 25 or so B-2 bombers, which are 2.6 Billion a pop.

That's all I can think of for now, if I come up with more questions, I'll post them.

Thanks.

Henson · 08-16-06, 03:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goldorak

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sea Demon

Actually, that's a very interesting point you have there Henson. Sounds like a good question to me. Are U.S. submarine sailors going to lose shiphandling proficiency as a result of the new ship control configuration?

That question seems a bit on the secret side.

Anyway not being a sailor i'll just put in my .02 € maybe they designed it that way because its more efficient and not less efficient ? :hmm:

There's no question in my mind that it is MUCH more efficient to have 2 guys driving rather than 5. My question is whether we are as SAFE. I'm not convinced, but those guys are supposedly a lot smarter than I am, and I'm sure they have it figured out.

On a US submarine the COW/DOOW team has godlike powers, and is integral to the safety of the ship, the mission, and the crew both in normal evolutions and especially during casualties. IMO that knowledge and experience they have is a direct result of the time they have had as junior guys 'sitting sticks' in control and seeing how we operate the ship. The new system takes the junior guys out of the equation, and instead we have a couple of chiefs with touch screens and joysticks. I'm sure it looks really cool and all, but I want to know when it is they're supposed to get all of that experience and learn how to drive the boat.

LoBlo · 08-16-06, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Henson

On a US submarine the COW/DOOW team has godlike powers, and is integral to the safety of the ship, the mission, and the crew both in normal evolutions and especially during casualties. IMO that knowledge and experience they have is a direct result of the time they have had as junior guys 'sitting sticks' in control and seeing how we operate the ship. The new system takes the junior guys out of the equation, and instead we have a couple of chiefs with touch screens and joysticks. I'm sure it looks really cool and all, but I want to know when it is they're supposed to get all of that experience and learn how to drive the boat.

Playstation? Maybe they've made a PS2 game for the Junior Officers called "drive the boat".

Quote:

Originally Posted by Driftwood

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoBlo

3. Are you a Texas native yourself? What does it mean to you that your ship is named after the very best state in all America?
Some Edits to wording

I completely agree!

That is.......Right after North Carolina! Which I believe is getting commissioned in the next year! AND we have great barbeque up here too!

Sorry, couldn't resist!

Them's fighting words!

Onkel Neal · 08-16-06, 05:32 PM

Great questions, thanks, fellows. I asked several of your questions during the media conference. Afterwards, I was asked by the President of the Navy League (Houston) to join him and the CO for lunch at the Yacht Club. What a day!

Commander Litherland was outstanding, his command presence filled the room & he was courteous and interesting as well. Full report in the works, watch the Subsim main page tonight.

Thanks for your help.
Neal

LoBlo · 08-17-06, 05:57 AM

Hey! I know that guy on the far left. http://www.subsim.com/house/articl14.jpg

And the Commander's XO grew up 15miles from me. Greenville was one of our school rivals. Just goes to show you... Small world...or at least small state (until you have to drive across it)

Hey Neal, do you get to go to the commissioning ceremony?

Onkel Neal · 08-17-06, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoBlo

Hey Neal, do you get to go to the commissioning ceremony?

Yeah, baby!

Driftwood · 08-28-06, 11:40 AM

Great job on the story Neil! She certainly is a fine boat!

hyperion2206 · 08-17-06, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neal Stevens

Commander Litherland was outstanding,...

I know that I'm a bit narrow minded

but isn't Litherland actually a Captain? Or do you mean by calling him "Commander" that he is commanding the USS Texas?

Nexus7 · 08-17-06, 07:30 PM

Neal would it be possible to you to arrange a meeting for us too? :hmm: Let me explain lol... I mean, for example 1 hour chat meeting for all of us interested, in the (virtual) presence of the commander...
Here in Switzerland we have similar "virtual meetings" with different personalities, up to the highest politicians and so on, where anyone can ask anything, and some moderator to be sure that all works smoothly...

Maybe this is a ridicolous idea... but to ask costs nothing... and it would be great

Henson · 08-17-06, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hyperion2206

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neal Stevens

Commander Litherland was outstanding,...

I know that I'm a bit narrow minded

but isn't Litherland actually a Captain? Or do you mean by calling him "Commander" that he is commanding the USS Texas?

While he is the captain of that ship, his rank is that of Commander. All US Submarines (with the exception of the 4 SSGNs) are led by Commanders.

08-15-06, 05:34 AM	#3
XabbaRus Navy Seal Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 5,330 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	Here's mine. If they really wanted too, say they got bored, can they load DW up onto the system and play multistation multiplayer? Ya know, they can get bored and at least they could pretend to shoot stuff and see it getting blown up too. As it is the USS Texas, ask him, where's the Bar-B-Q compartment, also what's his policy on illegal Mexicans trying to sneak in? __________________

08-15-06, 07:06 AM	#4
Sub Sailor Commander Join Date: Sep 1999 Location: Orofino, Idaho Posts: 443 Downloads: 66 Uploads: 0	My questions I would like to know about the Reactor Plant-what model and also about noise reduction, especially compared to the Seawolf. What is the weapon load out. I would enjoy hearing about living conditions. I made a lot of patrols on older boats and we use to carry movies. I would enjoy hearing if now the boats have DVD players instead of movies, and about the ships entertainment system. We used to have four channels and it was cassettes. I would assume it is the newest around. Neal ask if they have room for books, we use to really be kept up to date on reading material. We also had colleges classes all of it could and helped fill in time. Thanks, Ron Banks MMCM(SS), USN(Ret)

08-16-06, 05:32 PM	#9
Onkel Neal Born to Run Silent Join Date: Jan 1997 Location: Cougar Trap, Texas Posts: 21,385 Downloads: 541 Uploads: 224	Great questions, thanks, fellows. I asked several of your questions during the media conference. Afterwards, I was asked by the President of the Navy League (Houston) to join him and the CO for lunch at the Yacht Club. What a day! Commander Litherland was outstanding, his command presence filled the room & he was courteous and interesting as well. Full report in the works, watch the Subsim main page tonight. Thanks for your help. Neal __________________ SUBSIM - 26 Years on the Web

08-17-06, 05:57 AM	#10
LoBlo Subsim Diehard Join Date: May 2006 Location: Texas! Posts: 971 Downloads: 78 Uploads: 3	Hey! I know that guy on the far left. http://www.subsim.com/house/articl14.jpg And the Commander's XO grew up 15miles from me. Greenville was one of our school rivals. Just goes to show you... Small world...or at least small state (until you have to drive across it) Hey Neal, do you get to go to the commissioning ceremony? __________________ "Seek not to offend or annoy... only to speak the truth"-a wise man

08-28-06, 11:40 AM	#12
Driftwood Chief Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Western NC Posts: 325 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Great job on the story Neil! She certainly is a fine boat! __________________ Retired US Army Paratrooper Virtual Sub Skipper

08-15-06, 11:03 AM	#6
CapnSteph Swabbie Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Connecticut Posts: 5 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I have a few questions, some of them he may just stare at you and not answer, but I'll post them anyway. 1. Operational/Crush depth. The Seawolves were HY-100 steel, and the LA were HY-80 steel, curious to see if they reverted back to old hull material on the Texas, or if they kept the same hull material that was used on the 'Wolf. 2. Weapons loadout. I know that they reverted back to the 4 21 inch tubes in the Virginia class, but it would be interesting to see if they somehow managed to load a larger complement of torpedoes in the same given volume as a 688. 3. Whether the Virginia is good enough to warrant cancellation of the Seawolf class. This is a question he will obviously be biased about, but it would be interesting to see an actual Captains take on this debate. In my very insignificant opinion, the Seawolf is the queen of the deep water, and I believe that national security is worth the 1-2 Billion per boat. Jesus, we bought 25 or so B-2 bombers, which are 2.6 Billion a pop. That's all I can think of for now, if I come up with more questions, I'll post them. Thanks.

08-17-06, 07:30 PM	#14
Nexus7 Commander Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Switzerland Posts: 469 Downloads: 2 Uploads: 0	Neal would it be possible to you to arrange a meeting for us too? :hmm: Let me explain lol... I mean, for example 1 hour chat meeting for all of us interested, in the (virtual) presence of the commander... Here in Switzerland we have similar "virtual meetings" with different personalities, up to the highest politicians and so on, where anyone can ask anything, and some moderator to be sure that all works smoothly... Maybe this is a ridicolous idea... but to ask costs nothing... and it would be great __________________ If you are going through hell... keep going (Winston Churchill)