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Snakeeyes
Joined: 27 Nov 2004
Posts: 300
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
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 Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2005 9:29 am Post subject: Typhoons surfacing |
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Greetings all.
The Typhoon is one of the most beautiful yet rediculous contraptions ever built. Sheer size, difficult maintainability... another recently began preparations for scrapping.
I know that this class was designed to punch through the polar ice to fire its SS-N-20s... does anyone know if she HAS to surface to fire? One would think not... but.... well... anyone ever confirmed this?
I know that the expensive solid fuel Seahawk missile is safer than the SS-N-23 on Delta Boats, but can it be fired underwater? |
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Scion
Joined: 31 May 2001
Posts: 1552
Location: New Zealand
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| Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2005 10:54 am Post subject: |
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I would imagine that all modern missile systems can be fired from underwater. Old liquid fuelled systems couldnt, as the propellant exploded when it came into contact with water (  ) |
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XabbaRus
Joined: 21 Sep 2001
Posts: 6949
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| Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2005 11:12 am Post subject: |
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| Delta IV can fire from underwater. |
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Bill Nichols
Joined: 14 Mar 2001
Posts: 2657
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| Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2005 12:58 pm Post subject: |
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| Scion wrote: | | I would imagine that all modern missile systems can be fired from underwater. Old liquid fuelled systems couldnt, as the propellant exploded when it came into contact with water ( ) |
Not true (at least, not in general). See below description of the SS-N-5 missile,
"The R-21 / SS-N-5 submarine-launched ballistic missile is a single-stage, storable liquid-propellant missile. The D-4 launch system used the "wet launch" technique, under which the missile tube had to be filled with water before launch. The missiles could be fired underwater and were intended to replace the D-2 launch system on board the Golf submarines. "
ref: http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/russia/slbm/r-21.htm
Similarly with the SS-N-6 liquid-fueled missile. |
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Molon Labe
Joined: 16 Jun 2004
Posts: 1052
Location: Bloomington, IN, USA
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| Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2005 1:26 pm Post subject: |
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http://www.isn.ethz.ch/news/sw/details.cfm?id=10608
"The 172-meter-long submarine had the capacity to carry 20 of Russia’s largest naval intercontinental ballistic missiles, known as the RSM-52 under Russian nomenclature (and as the SS-N-20 Sturgeon under NATO nomenclature). Each missile carries up to 10 warheads, and a Typhoon-class submarine can launch them from under the polar ice sheet without breaking it in advance."
:huh: |
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Bill Nichols
Joined: 14 Mar 2001
Posts: 2657
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| Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2005 1:53 pm Post subject: |
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I'd love to see a missile that can penetrate Arctic ice...  \ |
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Molon Labe
Joined: 16 Jun 2004
Posts: 1052
Location: Bloomington, IN, USA
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| Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2005 3:57 pm Post subject: |
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| me too |
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OptimusX
Joined: 30 Mar 2004
Posts: 115
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| Posted: Fri Jan 28, 2005 2:11 am Post subject: |
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| holy crap, lol, i doubt the missile's velocity would great enough underwater to break thick ice. I guess if it's an "ice sheet" or whatever....maybe |
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Bill Nichols
Joined: 14 Mar 2001
Posts: 2657
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| Posted: Fri Jan 28, 2005 10:57 am Post subject: |
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| I doubt the missile's nose fairing is strong enough to penetrate thin ice. Remember that every gram of added weight (to strengthen the nose fairing) translates into reduced missile range/payload. Missile designers strive to minimize weight whereever possible. |
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OptimusX
Joined: 30 Mar 2004
Posts: 115
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| Posted: Fri Jan 28, 2005 10:56 pm Post subject: |
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| Good point...and also probably an unecessary risk for an operation that should be handeled delicately anyway. |
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