Possible to build a modern submarine aircraft carrier?

Current USN submarines can work with SEAL teams minus the Helicopter.


link



Your spot on there. Now if you were to explore the angle of Cargo carrying Submarines you would have a feasible idea that two World Wars gave us a glimpse of the potential of.
I don't think that we will see fleets of cargo carrying subs any time soon but the concept is possible with today's technology.

The picture is either Scinfaxi or Hrimfaxi, Yuktobanian carriers.
Ace Combat 5 - Great Game.

If you mean this pic



then it's actually a submarine cutaway drawing from either 'Thunderbirds' comic or 'Stingray' comic, both of which are based on Gerry Anderson puppet series. I know because I've got the full-size page of that picture at home (so can't check which comic it's from cause I'm supposed to be working).

[edit on 3/4/07 by jimboman]

[edit on 3/4/07 by jimboman]

No - Not that one, the original one from the Host

No idea what that one is, sorry.

right on Dimitry

Scinfaxi



i think the need for underwater aircraft carriers will become reality when the world's navies start deploying supercavitating torpedos/missiles rendering current aircraft carriers and carrier battle groups vulnerable.

I remember reading an article back in the mid 80's in the US Naval Institute Magazine Proceedings about a submarine aircraft carrier.

Why not design aircraft that can also travel underwater?? any takers ??

What i mean is like instead of having to land the plane why not be able to dock it on the sub using VTOL and as the craft is able to travel under the surface it could be linked by maybe an umbilical thingy and locked into position on the sub, it may save space and size .

Supercavitating Submarine



Supersonic Submarine



DARPA Underwater Express

DeepAngel

i guess its also possible to launch future subfighters (sub and fighters, get it? ) while the aircraft carrier is submerged by sending it off in the same way we currently launch torpedoes from submarines, through compressed air.

and these future subfighters should be rocket-powered while underwater so they can supercavitate and perhaps transition to jet propulsion while they're airborne.

Cor,

Imagine the G's on launch but i get the idea ..

Rethink this through carefully. Very carefully.

Orangetom

One possibility has occurred to me.
For those of you who keen on the concept of a submarine aircraft carrier you could attempted to produce a working concept model.

People already make Radio Controll model planes and submarine. You would have to be prepared to tackle the project your not likely to find any documentation on how to build a model submarine aircraft carrier. Also you may encounter and have to solve problems that would be en counted in real life.

In the real world there is no need for a submarine aircraft carrier because there is nothing that it could that cant be done with current forces. However it would make a great working concept model if a hobbyist could build one.

Besides the excellent reasons given by Brother Stormhammer, there are a couple of things that occurred to me which I have not seen mentioned.

First, storing aviation fuel in a submarine sounds like something I would avoid with every fiber of my being. A fire on any ship is a serious situation, its most likely 10 times worse on a sub where air supply is a factor.

Secondly, Fumes from the fueled aircraft, if not vented, will build up in hanger area and ignite at the slightest spark. If that area is constantly having to be vented then you seriously affect your air supply levels.

Third, many of your maintenance procedures cannot be preformed under the deck, and thus not on a submarine.

Between these factors making the sub have to surface constantly, you also have to be on the surface to launch and recover. With all this time spent on the surface, you might as well just design the carrier to be a surface craft from the start.

Defcon5 you have raised some very good points.




There would have to be way of cutting off oxygen to parts of the boat while the air supply was maintained in other areas of the submarine aircraft carrier.



The hanger area would have to be vented before diving. Some kind air filters would have to be used in order to ensure that the air remains breathable. Unless the boat is Nuclear powered it will have to surface at some stage and then there would be a chance to vent the hanger area.

As for maintenance procedures they would have to be adopted so they could take place in a large enclosed area.



I most certainly agree with that sentiment.


[edit on 4-4-2007 by xpert11]

currently playing Supreme Commander.

they have these great experimental units that take an hour (real time) to build.

two of the experimental units are submersible carriers. follow the link
supremecommander.com...
, go to the menu on left>game info>experimental units and watch a pretty nice video detailing em, you'll see two different concepts.


Crazy nice RTS i recommend for my gamer ppls


[edit on 4-4-2007 by Philadelphite]

There is a huge problem with supercavitation: Steering. Fast enough.

If you are in some supersonic underwater craft than what would happen if you hit one of the many undersea creatures that dont exist in the air and therefore complicate things.

You have another problem not often spoken about .

Current submarine technology allows submarines to run along at a sufficient speed. ( Classified).

The problem is not hitting a underwater mountain though obviously by past history this has happened. I know of several such incidents.

The problem is design crush depths. At fast speeds it would only take a slight mistake in depth or dive angle to go below design crush depth. How much time would this take at supercavitation speeds. Not much ..a few seconds..and this may be on the long side.
This is the real problem here. Do they cover this practicality in those games..or is it some Si Fi ...flashdance cure??

You must have an absolute fail safe way to prevent this occurence.

Thanks,
Orangetom

One of the things I like about having such a platform is that its ability to work alone. After all since the surface carrier needs dozens of ships to provide a protective screen, not to mention resupplying from auxiliary ships. The SAC-Submarine aircraft carrier would not need any protection since stealth is its best protection. The SAC must surface to resupply, but that can be compensated to do that in a protective and clear area. After all don't all attack subs also do that when rearming or resupplying from a tender ship? Also the SAC could lift ASW helicopters to provide protection against any possilbe enemy subs while rearming or resupplying. Just my thought.

I also wanted to mention was that there could be a submarine tender which could help decrease (meaning less exposure) detection while resupplying and rearming.