Hunting a sub with the FFG?

Sea Demon · 09-25-06, 12:19 AM

I'm kinda figuring all this stuff out myself.

I normally always deploy the towed array when I'm doing ASW. It is the best way to get a sniff of what's out there without wasting bouys from the helo. I also use a series of slight zig-zagging maneuvers to make sure I get a total 360 degree picture of the area. It doesn't take much. Along the way, I also deploy some OTS bouys in a line pattern. If I'm hunting an enemy sub near a channel or in a certain operating area, I'll do like you do and travel around deploying a box pattern or a line across the channel itself. And yes, all the while, I do have an MH-60 up and ready.

All I really need is a line of bearing and at least an ID that it is indeed a submarine contact to begin my TMA, and I can deploy the helo to go and drop a pattern of VLAD or DIFAR sonobouys on it to begin localizing the target. I prefer VLAD. Don't forget to analyze the SSP. I go into directional mode on the acoustic station to analyze the sonar signature of the contact from the VLAD sonobouys. I usually move my FFG away from the enemies datum to hopefully keep me safe at this point. And as I refine the solution for more accuracy, I direct my helo to drop DICASS and I go active once I'm confident enough to do so. At this point, if I've done everything right, I should get a precise location (bearing and range from the bouy), and I can prosecute (kill him). I'll direct my helo to drop a torpedo, then stand him off 1-2 Nm to be ready for another shot if needed.

Note: If I'm close enough, I do use active hull sonar. It just really depends on my own tactical situation. That's a decision I make based on the events at the moment. And yes, passicve hull sonar isn't much use that I can see.

How do some of you other FFG skippers do it???

09-25-06, 12:19 AM	#3
Sea Demon Ocean Warrior Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: USA Posts: 2,552 Downloads: 33 Uploads: 0	I'm kinda figuring all this stuff out myself. I normally always deploy the towed array when I'm doing ASW. It is the best way to get a sniff of what's out there without wasting bouys from the helo. I also use a series of slight zig-zagging maneuvers to make sure I get a total 360 degree picture of the area. It doesn't take much. Along the way, I also deploy some OTS bouys in a line pattern. If I'm hunting an enemy sub near a channel or in a certain operating area, I'll do like you do and travel around deploying a box pattern or a line across the channel itself. And yes, all the while, I do have an MH-60 up and ready. All I really need is a line of bearing and at least an ID that it is indeed a submarine contact to begin my TMA, and I can deploy the helo to go and drop a pattern of VLAD or DIFAR sonobouys on it to begin localizing the target. I prefer VLAD. Don't forget to analyze the SSP. I go into directional mode on the acoustic station to analyze the sonar signature of the contact from the VLAD sonobouys. I usually move my FFG away from the enemies datum to hopefully keep me safe at this point. And as I refine the solution for more accuracy, I direct my helo to drop DICASS and I go active once I'm confident enough to do so. At this point, if I've done everything right, I should get a precise location (bearing and range from the bouy), and I can prosecute (kill him). I'll direct my helo to drop a torpedo, then stand him off 1-2 Nm to be ready for another shot if needed. Note: If I'm close enough, I do use active hull sonar. It just really depends on my own tactical situation. That's a decision I make based on the events at the moment. And yes, passicve hull sonar isn't much use that I can see. How do some of you other FFG skippers do it??? Last edited by Sea Demon; 09-25-06 at 12:44 AM.