Submarine Innovation Summary
- Innovation Track Record. The submarine force has a history of innovation that has
exploited the inherent strengths of submarines to provide revolutionary warfighting
capabilities in response to current or emerging threats. Examples include the
transformation of submarine warfare during World War II, the advent of nuclear power, and
the placement of submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) on submarines - the third
and most survivable leg of the strategic triad.
- Warfighting Modernization. Current modernization programs are equipping our
submarines with the state-of-the-art technology and warfighting capabilities -
particularly in the areas of sensor improvements, communications, and onboard
processing−to ensure they are thoroughly prepared to support joint operations
today.
- Submarine Challenges. Despite the SSN's superior balance of stealth, endurance,
and agility, the limited volume of a submarine hull has traditionally resulted in
relatively smaller weapon and sensor payloads and inventory compared to surface ships.
- The Road Ahead. Submarine innovation, including an aggressive long-term
technology development and insertion program, promises to overcome this challenge by
dramatically increasing submarine sensor capabilities and payload in the future.
- SSGN−Transformation Opportunity. The Navy is considering an opportunity
to convert up to four Trident submarines to an SSGN configuration, which would carry large
numbers of Tomahawks and Special Forces troops. By forward-deploying and dual-crewing
these extraordinary platforms, we would provide our CINCs, for the next 20 years, with
extraordinary firepower, and much-needed submarine mission capability and versatility
in-theater. PB01 provided $37 million to continue studying this concept. A decision must
be made this year.
- VIRGINIA Technology. The VIRGINIA Class submarine program has been designed with
technological innovation in mind. The built in flexibility of VIRGINIA, including
incorporation of modular design, open architecture and COTs components, allows for rapid
and affordable technological insertion and innovation.
- Future Capabilities. Current development efforts are demonstrating progress in
many key areas including unmanned vehicles, network centric operations with real-time
reachback, and "smarter" weapons. Greater system and ship modularity along with
long-term development programs, such as "electric ship" and offboard sensors,
payloads and networks, will provide extraordinary flexibility and advances in future
submarine warfighting capabilities.
Discussion: Submarine Innovation
The near-term strategy for submarine modernization and innovation places an emphasis on
connectivity and payload (including sensors and processors), focused principally on
littoral warfare aspects. The far-term strategy involves meaningful investment toward
offboard sensors and vehicles, fully netted operations, complete submarine modularity in
design and construction, and development of electric drive and an all-electric ship,
including the enhanced capability these brings to stealth and warfighting. In conjunction,
submarine initiatives will pursue and incorporate transformational capabilities and
concepts (e.g., SSGN, submarine modularity, and offboard vehicles) to make our
contribution to joint warfighting more efficient, effective and relevant.
History of Innovation
The advent of the submarine in the U.S. Navy 100 years ago was itself a revolutionary
step in naval warfare. Since then, the submarine has consistently exploited its inherent
strengths as an undersea warfighting platform to provide innovative and necessary
capabilities to meet current and future threats. Examples include transformation of
submarine warfare from coastal defense to forward-deployed interdiction in World War II,
the advent of nuclear power which gave our submarines dominance on the seas because of
their submerged endurance, speed, and stealth, and the placement of submarine-launched
ballistic missiles (SLBMs) on submarines providing a third, and the most survivable, leg
of the strategic triad - the cornerstone of our national security strategy during the Cold
War.
The Challenge
Nuclear powered attack submarines traditionally have been characterized by their
superior blend of stealth, endurance, agility, and firepower. Endowed with these
attributes, submarines play a key role in our warfighting and forward-presence strategy.
As an example, SSNs comprise a surprisingly high percentage of the total Tomahawk
capability in each U.S. Battle Group (about 20 percent) and launched approximately 25% of
all Tomahawks during the Kosovo conflict1. Their
capabilities as submarines were also critical to their ability to provide sustained
presence and conduct critical surveillance prior to the conflict and to surge to the
Adriatic Sea with other naval forces when hostilities commenced. Nevertheless, submarine
design has traditionally placed limitations on submarine volume, which consequently limits
submarine sensor and weapon payloads. Additionally, the dramatic explosion and
proliferation of technology will make highly capable weapons systems affordable and easily
accessible to potential adversaries that would not otherwise be able to pose a credible
threat to U.S. forces. Increasingly, pursuit and implementation of rapidly changing
warfighting capabilities will be essential to keeping up with emerging threats. Submarine
innovation, including a long-term technological development and insertion program,
promises to overcome these challenges and dramatically improve submarine capabilities in
the 21st century.
Ongoing Innovation: Modernization
and Incorporation of Technology
The Submarine Force is making significant, rapid improvements in acoustic sensors and
processing by using commercial technology implemented through innovative system design and
acquisition processes. In real-world exercises and operations, both the TB-29 towed array
and Acoustic Rapid COTs Insertion Sonar system (ARCI) demonstrate the ability to restore a
remarkable acoustic advantage to U.S. submarines. Use of COTS in ARCI (and in a modified
TB-29 array) results in substantially reduced costs with significantly improved processing
capability. For example, each ARCI shipset costs about 20% of the price of its
predecessor, yet improves processing power by an order of magnitude. A key advantage of
ARCI is the Advanced Processor Build (APB), which uses improved processing capability to
provide new tactical capabilities and powerful new algorithms that have resulted in much
improved towed array detection ranges in testing and actual fleet operations to date.
Additionally, the ARCI program improves the commonality/interface among submarine systems
while enabling future upgrades to be installed significantly quicker. An aggressive phased
installation plan will provide continuously improved versions of ARCI across the entire
submarine force by FY06.
Connectivity with other naval and joint forces is essential to effective
decision-making, operations, and warfighting with submarines. Consequently, another major
priority for the Submarine Force is the modernization of submarine communications
capabilities. The submarine High Data Rate (HDR) antenna is the top C4I initiative and is
the Navy's first multi-band dish antenna. The HDR antenna will provide worldwide high data
rate satellite communications capability and enable access to a variety of systems
including the secure, survivable Joint Milstar Satellite Program in the Extremely High
Frequency (EHF) band and the Global Broadcast Service (GBS). All SSNs will have HDR
antennas by FY04, thereby greatly enhancing SSN connectivity with the Battlegroup. Another
development, the Multi-element Buoyant Cable Antenna (MBCA), will enable UHF transmit and
receive capability while submerged at speed and depth. These initiatives are key to
providing the data throughput necessary for network-centric operations in the 21st
century.
TRIDENT SSGN−A
Transformation Opportunity
A 1998-99 Navy study reviewed the concept of modifying Trident submarines to an SSGN
configuration, which would carry large numbers of Tomahawks and Special Forces troops. Per
the 1994 Nuclear Posture Review (NPR), four Trident hulls will no longer be required for
strategic deterrence and will be removed from strategic service beginning in FY03. These
four hulls represent an enormous capital investment by the United States; will have over
20 years of service life remaining; and could alter our maritime capabilities in an
extraordinarily innovative and cost-effective way. The SSGN Study clearly demonstrated
that SSGN would provide our CINCs, in the near term, with extraordinary firepower,
capability and versatility. Moreover, by forward-deploying and dual-crewing these highly
capable submarines, the CINCs would gain additional resources to accomplish unfilled
submarine missions in-theater while concurrently providing continuous 2.0 strike presence
and much-needed relief for over-taxed naval strike forces. The SSGN concept also affords
the Navy an unprecedented opportunity to experiment with submarine payloads.
At a modest investment of about $600M/ship, the Navy would acquire a modified Ohio
Class submarine capable of carrying 154 Tomahawk missiles as well as Special Forces. With
such massive firepower present in-theater continuously, SSGNs would increase our Global
Naval Forces Presence Plan (GNFPP) for Tomahawks by nearly 60%, without buying a single
missile. Put differently, this is about an additional Battle Group's equivalent of
Tomahawk cruise missiles during a crisis. SSGN also provides the CINCs and Battle Group
commander a large SOF contingent (4 platoons) capable of carrying out a sustained and
continuous level of Special Forces missions. Using these extremely capable submarines to
accomplish other traditional "SSN" missions while in-theater (4 SSGNs conducting
approximately 350-400 mission days per year) would be an extraordinarily efficient use of
existing submarine force structure. The Navy has a limited window of opportunity to
conduct the conversion prior to inactivation of the Tridents, which is scheduled to start
in FY03. Congress appropriated $37 million in FY01 to continue the initial design work on
the SSGN concept. The Navy has not made a final decision on whether to conduct the SSGN
conversion.
VIRGINIA Class SSNs
The VIRGINIA Class submarine program has been designed with long-term technological
innovation in mind. The built-in flexibility of VIRGINIA, including incorporation of
modular design techniques, open architecture, and COTS components, allows for rapid and
affordable technological insertion and innovation. The initial low-rate production of
VIRGINIA Class SSNs also provides an exceptional opportunity to progressively insert and
test advanced technologies in these submarines as they are built. Accordingly, when
VIRGINIA Class production must ramp up later in the decade, the Navy will have an
optimized design that includes state-of-the-art technology and capabilities. As an example
of the flexibility inherent in the design of VIRGINIA, the Navy anticipates placing an
advanced sail on the FY06 VIRGINIA Class submarine. The new sail shape and size might well
provide the required volume for advanced future payloads. Other technology
"bundles" will be integrated (such as electric drive) as the concepts/systems
are developed, allowing the ship to maintain its technological edge and warfighting
superiority despite the rapid change in technology and the uncertainty of future
requirements.
Future Capabilities: Sensors and
Processing
In addition to improvements being made through ARCI, other sensor developments also
promise near-term improvements in submarine capabilities. Based on recent research in high
frequency sonar applications, the Submarine Force is incorporating precision undersea
mapping capability both in ARCI and the Long-Term Mine Reconnaissance System (LMRS)
(discussed below under payloads). This innovation provides for unparalleled imaging and
knowledge of the undersea battlespace, ensuring superior mine hunting and mine avoidance
capabilities as well as preparation of special forces/amphibious assault ingress routes.
Another key submarine innovation is development of the photonics periscope. The
combination of low light TV, infrared capability, a laser range finder, and improved
stealth will significantly improve SSN effectiveness in the littoral environment. The new
Electronic Support (ES) system, AN/BLQ-10, as well as an improved Type 18I periscope and
Integrated Electronics Mast (IEM) will also contribute to superior performance in the
littorals. The Type 18 antenna improvement is expected to provide a 200% increase in
performance against SIGINT targets of interest and will increase the ship's covert
standoff range. Additionally, the new SIGINT exploitation suite, CLASSIC TROLL, offers a
500% improvement in probability of intercept in support of CVBG, fleet and National
operational requirements.
Tactical Integrated Digital System (TIDS) is a key innovation that will enhance future
submarine combat capability. TIDS is a fiber optic open architecture data bus that ties
major electronic systems on a submarine together. Data can be rapidly transferred between
sonar, the fire control system, electronic support measures (ESM) and radio. This allows,
for example, digital imagery from the periscope or new signals detected by ESM to be
retransmitted off the ship for immediate analysis. TIDS will not only enable future
submarine crews to conduct their missions more efficiently, it will also play a key role
in supporting development of a "common tactical picture" among naval forces in
the coming years. TIDS will be backfitted in all submarines starting in FY00, completing
in SSNs by FY04.
A long-term objective for our sensor and processing initiatives is the incorporation of
off-board sensors and distributed networks that will dramatically expand the
"reach" and effective battlespace of operations for submarines.
Future Capabilities: Payloads
Advances in component miniaturization, computer processing power, and submarine
communications capabilities provide the opportunity to markedly change the nature of
future submarine payloads. Several programs and recent tests demonstrate how technology
can radically change submarine payloads, giving the submarine new capabilities. As an
example, unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) provide unprecedented opportunities to detect
mines. The submarine-launched Long Term Mine Reconnaissance system (LMRS), under
development with initial operational capability projected for 2003, will provide precise,
autonomous, and long-range mapping of mines and other ocean bottom features. Future UUVs
will include reconfigurable payload sections allowing submarines to employ them in a
number of autonomous "collection" missions at lower risk to U.S.
forces−a particularly important capability in hostile or extremely shallow
waters. In another example demonstrating the possibilities for future submarine payloads,
improvements in submarine communications connectivity allowed the successful test of a
submarine-controlled Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) in 1996. USS CHICAGO (SSN 721) was able
to control a Predator UAV over simulated enemy terrain and provide near real-time imagery
to the Battle Group staff for several periods during a week-long demonstration.
Other near-term weapons/payload improvements promise significant combat capability
enhancements. The Advanced Seal Delivery System (ASDS) incorporates a dry environment
allowing long-range (125 NM) covert insertion of Special Forces from submarines. The first
ASDS was delivered in FY00. Development of Tactical Tomahawk will allow for Battle Damage
Assessment, in-flight loitering, and retargeting while cutting missile costs by 50
percent. MK-48 torpedo development is focused on making the torpedo acoustically
stealthier with much improved performance in the difficult littoral acoustic environment.
Finally, the Improved Submarine Launched Mobile Mine (ISLMM) is a long-range offensive
mining capability that employs a modified MK-48, capable of maneuvering (with waypoint
insertion) for optimum placement, to deliver two warheads/mines.
The Navy conducts Large Scale Vehicle Modeling at Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho. The
innovative use of submarine models (approximately 1/4 scale) allows for substantial
improvements in submarine hydrodynamic performance. LSV-2, delivered in FY00, will also be
used to test alternate sail sizes and placement. Because the new photonics mast removes
the need to place the sail over the control room, sail design can be modified both for
improved hydrodynamic performance and, potentially, for carrying large future payloads
outside the hull. The LSV program is one of several key projects that provide substantial
opportunities for long-term technological and payload enhancements. The implementation of
new systems and payloads (including future weapons) would be further facilitated by SSGN
because of its large payload capacity and extremely large "ocean-interface"
through each of its 24 missiles tubes. The VIRGINIA Class submarine's modular design and
construction is ideally suited to the implementation of new systems and payloads as they
become available to the fleet.
As noted, historical submarine design and construction provided limited volume for
large payloads. The 1998 Defense Science Board "Submarine of the Future" studied
this problem and recommended that future submarine designs focus on improving submarine
payload as well as sensors. As a result, the Navy and the Defense Advanced Research
Projects Agency (DARPA) have a Memorandum of Agreement to study advanced payloads and
sensors systems in preparation for a long-term development effort. Based on the reports
and recommendations following the initial concept development phase, the two contractor
teams are now pursuing many promising concepts−including adjunct vehicles and
offboard sensors−for further development.
Future Capabilities: Electric Ship
Stealth is the sine qua non requirement for submarines. The Navy and industry
have concluded that electric drive will be a necessary, but not sufficient, condition for
retaining stealth margins (i.e., standoff and counterdetection) into the far future. This
assumes our potential adversaries will possess sensor and processor technology in the 2015
timeframe, which is similar to that which we are developing now. Furthermore, electric
drive provides the opportunity to use all (rather than only about 15 percent) of the
useful reactor power for a wide range of high power, high energy, and high endurance
payloads, which the future will bring. Today, some 85 percent of the design reactor power
can only be used for propulsion. Other benefits include the flexibility that electric
drive brings to naval architecture (eliminate the tyranny of the shaft through use of
external motors), on-the-fly reapportionment of power to deal with casualties, battle
damage, or countermeasures (for high-speed incoming weapons), and growth potential in
related technologies. It is important to develop the long lead supporting technologies
today so that they will be available when required. We expect to incorporate electric
drive into the VIRGINIA Class submarine starting with the ships to be authorized in the
2010 timeframe.
1. Submarines fired 25% of all Tomahawks
launched by NATO at Serbian targets during Operation Allied Force. |
