We know that EM transmission has to be out because water interferes with signal propagation (but see blue-green lasers, which evidently do it quite well), but what about sound transmission? I.e., what is the practical symbol rate for a modulated sonar signal, as well as the likelihood of it being overheard? I am thinking of something like the SOSUS system, only with transmitters as well as microphones, and having the sub use modulated sound to communicate with the larger network.
Also, what stops the sub from having sensor-carrying ROVs on very long tethers? Like towed arrays, but with more autonomy, ability to move out on the flanks of the submarine, etc… Alternately, go wireless, and have the ROVs communicate using modulated sound as above. Are there ROVs with sufficient speed and endurance to operate in concert with a modern nuclear attack sub?
Helicopters don’t carry the sensors or the weaponry for effective AAW. They’d be sitting ducks against a missile aimed at them. If anything, they’d prefer that the surface ship defend them, rather than the reverse.
U.S. surface ships, exemplified by the aforementioned Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, carry AAW sensors like the sophisticated AN/SPY-1 phased array radar system as well as 90-96-cell Standard SAMs, Evolved SeaSparrow Missile (ESSM) designed to counter supersonic maneuvering anti-ship missiles, and the last-ditch Phalanx CIWS.
I’m not sure where you get the idea that surface ships are particularly and uniquely vulnerable to aircraft attacks.
The one U.S. surface ship that was attacked and struck by an anti-ship missile was the USS Stark (FFG-31). However, in that case, the main issue appears to be the ship not taking the Iraqi aircraft seriously as a threat. (The Stark was actually notified of the Iraqi jet by an AWACS plane, subsequently tracked the plane herself for several minutes before the attack, noted that the jet had locked his fire-control radar onto the ship, but failed to detect the missile launch. The CO of the Stark was later relieved of duty and recommended for court-martial.)
Yes, as well as blue-water surface ships.
Submarines are capable of engaging blue-water surface ships (the whole point of this thread). However, submarines are not well equipped to engage surface threats like small fast attack craft that may best be engaged using guns. Surface ships, such as cruisers and destroyers, can do both, which is one reason why I don’t advocate getting rid of surface ships. That being said, in a full-scale shooting war with submarines involved, I don’t see them lasting long.
