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The Navy is rushing dozens of unmanned underwater craft to the Persian Gulf to help detect and destroy mines in a major military buildup aimed at preventing Iran from closing the strategic Strait of Hormuz in the event of a crisis, U.S. officials said.
Some U.S. officials are wary that Iran may respond to tightening sanctions on its banking and energy sectors, including a European Union oil embargo, by launching or sponsoring attacks on oil tankers or platforms in the Persian Gulf. Some officials in Tehran have threatened to close the narrow waterway, a choke point for a fifth of the oil traded worldwide.
Originally posted by TruthMaster2You
Oh no! Not subs now? Crying here now.
Originally posted by ANNED
The US has some of the best mine sweeping ships and equipment in the world.
Originally posted by schuyler
Originally posted by TruthMaster2You
Oh no! Not subs now? Crying here now.
Not worth crying about. These are submersibles, about 4 feet long and weigh 100 pounds. They can be dropped by helicopter. They have an explosive charge on them. Their sole purpose is to blow up mines. Unlike the mines, they aren't designed to kill people.
There may be real subs there, too. The Iranians have several small ones, but the average depth of the Persian Gulf is 160 feet, so your average Fast Attack submarine is going to have a hard time hiding out there. I can't find a height spec, but its draft is over 30 feet, so add the height of the sail and the rest of the hull and you're probably looking at about 100 feet.
The US has also installed weaponry designed to counter a "swarm attack" of small inflatables against the larger ships in the US fleet. There have been a lot of changes since the attack on the USS Cole. It could get very ugly if Iran tried to close the strait. It's not a slam dunk for either side.