http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ship/sof.htm

 

"The degenerative and loony should never be denigrated but, rather, thanked. In their absence, the rest of you would be obliged to fill congressional seats... positions naturally unsavory to the sane and honorable."

Thorax

What y'all are looking at is what I called a "slow approach" earlier. This is either the USS James K. Polk or the USS Kamehameha (even I have trouble distinguishing different boats in the same class) which were converted from SSBN's to SSN's in order to carry SOF troops. This is not the new Ohio SSGN conversion.

Thanks for the link, Bro. 

R/
Pingjocky

EDITED TO ADD - Sorry Ertman, not a 688 either...

 The Loki program seeks to develop the critical system technologies, such as a vortex combustor and related propulsion technologies, materials, structures, and sensing technologies at a small (one-tenth or less) scale to demonstrate the engineering and technical feasibility of a lethal, stealthy, high-speed maritime “fighter” platform. If successful, Loki will enable aggressive, offensive U.S. military combat operations in littoral regions. With greater and speedier access achieved, in part, through the operational flexibility and “combat punch” of these underwater “fighters,” joint littoral campaign objectives would more likely be successful on an engagement schedule set by the U.S. In FY 2002 and FY 2003, DARPA will be conducting detailed performance analyses of major components and commencing with their development. Loki is in its early stages of studies and critical technology development, and we will be working with the Navy user community to identify application and transition opportunities as the program matures. 

    One of the key enabling technologies for Loki is a reliable, high energy density power source. The Vortex Combustor Demonstration program is an innovative effort that seeks to develop a high energy density (over 1000 Watt-hours per kilogram) air-independent, underwater propulsion technology that uses combustion of metal and water to produce thrust. If successful, this combustor has the potential to revolutionize undersea vehicle propulsion for large and small commercial and military platforms by greater than an order-of-magnitude improvement over lead acid battery technology. In FY 2002, DARPA, in conjunction with Applied Research Laboratory, Pennsylvania State University, Naval Air Warfare Center China Lake, and Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division, is testing and evaluating the performance of a one-tenth scale vortex combustor. Initial demonstrations will be completed in FY 2003. This will have demonstrated the ability of such a device to operate underwater for at least an hour and to be throttled. In FY 2003, the program will verify operation for more than 10 hours, characterize engine static performance, and prepare for dynamic testing. If successful, the results of the Vortex Combustor Demonstration program will be integrated into the Loki program. 

http://www.darpa.mil/body/pdf/dodfy2005bdgtestfeb04.pdf

RDT&E BUDGET ITEM JUSTIFICATION SHEET (R-2 Exhibit) DATE
February 2004
APPROPRIATION/BUDGET ACTIVITY
RDT&E, Defense-wide
BA3 Advanced Technology Development
R-1 ITEM NOMENCLATURE
Marine Technology
PE 0603763E, Project, MRN-02, R-1 #45
UNCLASSIFIED
Loki / Mobile Undersea Distributed Systems 3.945 0.000 0.000
(U) The Loki program evaluated technologies that had the potential to enable a revolutionary “fighter-like” submersible to counter the
asymmetric threat posed by diesel submarines and other forces operating in the littorals. Loki examined two major technology component
elements: The Vortex Combustor propulsion technology and the Loki Systems technology development efforts. Objectives included: 1) the
development of an energy-dense air independent underwater power source as a potential propulsion system for an underwater fighter, and 2) the
investigation and development of detailed concepts of supporting systems and potential hull forms necessary for the operational viability of a future underwater fighter. Preliminary results from the Loki and other studies, and the Vortex Combustor testing indicated that while the
capabilities of the Loki vehicle may be revolutionary, they could be best obtained by distributing them throughout a networked system. Therefore,
the investment in the Loki program transitioned in FY 2003 into the Mobile Undersea Distributed Systems (MUDS) program. The truly network
centric MUDS program continues in PE 0603766E, Project NET-02 in FY 2004.
(U) Program Accomplishments:
· Vortex Combustor (VC).
- Conducted several test firing of the Vortex Combustor system.
- Conducted analysis and performance evaluation.
· Loki Systems Development/Mobile Undersea Distributed Systems.
- Conducted concept of operations and military utility studies.
- Initiated system structural materials explorations.
- Completed studies indicating that a distributed system concept known as the Mobile Undersea Distributed System (MUDS) was the
most optimized way to achieve the goal of the Loki program.
- Initiated concept of operations and military utility studies for the MUDS concept.

Mobile Undersea Distributed System (MUDS) Program (formerly Loki Program) 0.000 13.253 25.927
(U) The Mobile Undersea Distributed System (MUDS) originated from the Loki Program in PE 0603763E, Project MRN-02. Preliminary
results from the Loki program and its associated studies (including the Vortex Combustor testing) indicated that the program goals (enhancing
operations in the littorals to counter asymmetric threat posed by diesel submarines and other forces operating in the littorals) would be best
obtained by distributing efforts (development of a revolutionary “fighter-like” submersible and development of associated supporting systems)
throughout a networked system. Therefore, the investment in the Loki program transitioned in FY 2003 into the Mobile Undersea Distributed
Systems (MUDS) program. The network-centric MUDS program includes the Sea Sentry program, the Persistent Ocean Surveillance program,
Warfighting in the Littoral program, Hologram, and Piranha.

 

"The degenerative and loony should never be denigrated but, rather, thanked. In their absence, the rest of you would be obliged to fill congressional seats... positions naturally unsavory to the sane and honorable."

Thorax

1. Look at the leading edge of the sail. See what looks like windows?

2. Shark fin type protrusion on top of leading edge of sail.

3. External countermeasures are forward of the sail. Look at the bottom of the pic right where the bottom mooring line exits the frame...see the dark circle?

4. Permanent handholds welded to the side of the sail.

5. Sail is too low and long to be anything else.

R/
Pingjocky

R/
Pingjocky

EDITED TO ADD - One of my favorite quotes comes from the movie U-571...."How deep will this thing go?" "All the way to the bottom if we let her!"

"The degenerative and loony should never be denigrated but, rather, thanked. In their absence, the rest of you would be obliged to fill congressional seats... positions naturally unsavory to the sane and honorable."

Thorax