Possible to build a modern submarine aircraft carrier?

I've never really considered the idea of a true submersible aircraft carrier to be in any way feasible, but while discussing the replacement of vanguard ( and the reuse of the very young hulls, that ended with us hoping for the MOD to fund a conversion in line with the Ohio class SSGN, though with a rather more usefull payload to act as dedicated carrier defence ans well as stand off cruise missileer) with a few friends we hit upon the idea of a dedicated area denial submarine, vast beasts roughly 2.5-3 times the size of an SSBN, replete with all the modern submarine stealth features, with a dedicated fleet of UCSV's and the ability to launch UCAV's from what are pretty much ICBM tubes, which would then recover to a conventional craft.

A ridiculous idea, but a nice one nonetheless

A few people have made mention of the Russian Typhoon class submarine. These things are huge-they even have a spa onboard for the officers.

There was talk from the Russians of removing the missile tubes on a Typhoon and utilizing all that space for cargo.

If they could turn these things into cargo ships, it seems reasonable to think that a few VTOL aircraft (helicopter or Harrier-type jet) could be put in that space. Large doors would have to be fitted in place of the missile silo doors.

Storing enough Av-gas, spare parts, and related maintenance equipment could probably be accomplished, but in abbreviated amounts. Such a Typhoon modification would probably be used in "special operations" type aviation missions (hit-and-run style raids against high value targets).

They will never have submarine aircraft carriers on the scale of a conventional surface carrier. There does not seem to be a tactical need for such a weapon. However, we could probably pull it off. If the Japanese did it with WWII technology, we could do it today.

What about a means of transport that can go underwater and in the air and on the ground about the size of an aeroplane or a sub…..that could deploy both land vehicles, mini-subs, and craft…now that would be impressive….

reply to post by andre18

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For something that complicated of that size, it wouldn't pay. I doubt it would be able to take enough cargo to make its development worth it.

Shattered OUT...

After reading all these post I can't help but think despite how cool a aircraft carrying submarine would be, it probably wouldn't be a very good sub or carrier, too many design limitations, logistical, and practical issues. It would be a desaster waiting to happen.

This idea has also come to my mind for quite some time now. I am amazed at the response of this idea. I think it will be such a great investment that it would leave the rest of the world in the stone age.

If this project does happen soon in the future I would like to be alive still. This would be the MOTHER of all warships and a great national treasure. It would take a few geniuses to pull something off this big, but I believe it not to be impossible. Anything can be made possible if you just believe.

The Russians seem to like helicopter carriers and submarines quite a bit, one would think they'd have come up with something like a combination (perhaps in the pipeline or even secretly out there; the point is stealth after all). I'd think you could make a sub-carrier to carry 2 to 4 harriers or helicopters depending on how big it is, and with today's aircraft that actually is a lot of firepower--all you need for most missions.

I guess it's just a lot easier to launch a missile and blow everything up.

This is the age of the UAV's!

You guys seem to be thinking traditional aircraft like the helicopters and Harriers, UAV's are the way to go to make a sub into an aircraft carrier... Realistically any current cub could be a carrier just by having UAV's that can be released from the torpedo / missile tubes, then float to the surface and take off.

Small, cheap and expendable, unlike meatbags in multi million pound jets!

reply to post by Now_Then

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That's not a sub-aircraft carrier really then. It's just a sub that can launch UAV's through it's torpedo tubes. Not nearly as revolutionary, you hardly even have to change the subs you have. Probably a useful adaptation but not of interest to speculate about IMO.


[edit on 19-2-2009 by CapsFan8]

reply to post by CapsFan8

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UAV's are aircraft!! The sub would carry them (in fact I have a feeling they do right now... or at least they are testing/developing them) ergo the sub is an aircraft carrier.

YouTube Link

Okay they are not manned, but were are almost at the point where the person in the vehicle is the limiting factor... Why bother to spend billions on a sub/carrier that is launching obsolete aircraft?? Considering that a sub of that size really looses many of the advantages of submarines AND there is a very much cheaper option on the table - cheaper and more versatile.

quite honestly i think you all are thinking too hard about this, this sub would have to be huge yes, but we will only need one if feasable. the pacific ocean is massive and extremely deep so we could house it there. it would practically have to be an underwater city, the design would be simple in the means of defense aircraft launch and recovery


ask my anything

Any SSGN/SSG is an aircraft carrier. The aircraft just take one way trips, without pilots.

Viking has it exactly correct.

I dont know if any of you are aware of it but the future of the Nimitz class carriers is in Stealth Aircraft ..manned and unmanned.

There have already been tests of unmanned Aircraft both landing and taking off of Nimitz class carriers. The F 35 mockups have already been brought on board for the deck handling crews to move them on the flight decks and in the hanger bays to check practical and feasable handling.
It is being said in certain circles that the F35 and F22 may be the last manned fighter type aircraft made for the military.

Unmanned stealthy aircraft have already refueled Unmanned stealthy aircraft in mid air. These unmanned aerial aircraft..have also been refueled from manned aircraft.

The tomahawk is an unmanned aircraft capable of being launched from a submarine or another aircraft. At one time the military had them on tracked vehicles deployed in Europe.

The problem with a submarine is that it is risky to resurface and recover aircraft. It would be better to have them recovered elsewhere or not recovered at all.
In case no one ever told many of you ...submarines are most vulnurable when they surface and when they first dive..just like an airplane....approach and take off is when most accidents and crashs take place.

So why would you want to jeopardize a very expensive submarine by having it recover aircraft. They are vulnurable enought when they launch.

Have any of you seen close up...a water tight hatch capable of taking great pressures of the deep. I can assure you it is not like anything you have ever seen at the local Auto Zone or Home depot/Lowes. This means also...very very expensive and close tolerance fit. THe bigger the hatch, the more expensive and difficult it is to make and keep water tight.
This is why your aircraft would be small and also unmanned.

What do you folks think an SSGN submarine is?? It is capable of launching about 150 plus unmanned aircraft.
And yes...these types of unmanned aircraft have also been launched from torpedo tubes.

Thanks,
Orangetom