hidden assets contents
4 evolution of the submarine
8 submarines in australia
10 collins class project
14 collins class submarines
16 submarine construction
18 role of submarines
20 relative complexity of submarines
22 submarines of the future
3 While it is widely considered that William Borne designed the first submarine in 1578, it was Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) who initially developed the idea of a military vessel evolution that could submerge under water to attack enemy ships. However, it wasn’t until 1776 that the first submarine to make an attack on an enemy ship was built. Named the Turtle, it was designed by David Bushnell and was built with the intention of breaking the British of the submarine naval blockade in New York Harbor during the American Revolution. Operated by Sergeant Ezra Lee, the Turtle made an unsuccessful attack on a British ship on 7 September 1776.
Several more submarines were attempted over the years, but it wasn’t until the beginning of the 20th century that modern day submarine warfare was born. At the start of World War I, submarines were still in their infancy. Considered to be ‘unethical’ and not fitting into the conventional rules of war, few foresaw the watershed in naval warfare that submarines were to bring about. Once their true capabilities were realised, submarines had a substantial impact on World War I: sinking ships, laying mines, blockading ports and providing escorts to trans-Atlantic convoys.
During World War II, submarine technology advanced significantly. The Germans, who were operating U-Boats in the Atlantic Ocean, developed the ‘snorkel’ (allowing the boat to recharge its batteries while staying submerged). The Japanese were the first nation to utilise the ‘midget subs’, most famously when they launched their attack on Pearl Harbor (in the Pacific Ocean) Main image: in 1941. These submarines were also used to attack shipping in Sydney Photo reproduced courtesy of the Royal Australian Navy.
Images left to right: Harbour on 31 May 1942. 1776 - The Turtle.
1863 - The Confederate submarine H.L. Hunley – credited with the first successful underwater attack.
1870 - The Intelligent Whale, bought by the United States Navy, was never put into service. 5 With the end of the Cold War, far fewer submarines were commissioned. In 2000, 47 nations evolution were operating more than 700 submarines – over 300 of which were nuclear-powered. In 1982, British submarines played a significant role in defeating Argentina in the Falklands of the submarine continued War. During the conflict, HMS Conqueror sunk Argentina’s only cruiser, effectively ending the threat of carrier and surface ships. From 1945 to 1991, the Cold War dictated much of the advancement in military capabilities. Main image: During the first Gulf War submarines were used to launch a number of Tomahawk missile Many features of the German U-Boats were incorporated into future designs of the Photo reproduced courtesy of the Royal Australian Navy. attacks, but during the second Gulf War the United States deployed far more submarines allied forces. When the United States launched the first nuclear powered boat in 1955 Images left to right: Circa 1902 - John Holland designed the United States Navy’s first with greater capabilities. These were heavily involved in strike missions. (USS Nautilus), the submarine was transformed from a surface ship that could submerge submarine which was purchased on 11 April 1900. briefly, to a fully underwater vessel which could stay submerged for extended periods Electric Boat Corporation was established in 1899 to The United States continued to build more advanced submarines, able to operate weapons bring to completion the design of the submarine. of time. This is one of Holland’s designs. (Photo reproduced in any sea conditions: from under arctic ice to operating in shallow water. courtesy of Electric Boat)
1911 - USS Seal designed by Simon Lake. Lake is credited as During the Cold War, the United States’ strategy relied heavily on its ability to control In 2004, the United States commissioned the first Virginia Class attack submarine, designed designing an escape trunk, conning tower, diving planes, the seas. Apart from performing traditional roles, submarines were also capable of control room and a rotating, retractable periscope. specifically for littoral and estuarine waters. This submarine does not have a periscope, launching ballistic missiles should the need arise. The United States was more dominant 1917 - The United States Navy’s L-Class were the first but instead uses a high resolution digital camera. It is also capable of going to great depths, submarines to introduce an air purification system. in this underwater strategy than Russia, which proved vital in deterring the nuclear war getting in close to the shore in shallow water and launching unmanned submersibles. All of 1923 - Many attempts were made to create a submarine that that had been a constant threat for more than forty years. doubled as an aircraft carrier. This is the US S-1. these advancements have been designed with the added intention of fighting terrorism.
7 The first Australian submarines, the AE1 and the AE2, were commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy in 1914. They were deployed during World War I, but both were lost during combat. The fate of the AE1 has never been determined. The AE2 was the first submarine to break through the Turkish defences before sustaining irreparable damage and sinking on in 30 April 1915. submarines In 1919, six ‘J’ Class submarines were commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy. The second-hand boats, received from the Royal Navy, were in such bad condition that they were immediately placed into refit once they reached Sydney. Even after extensive work, the boats australia spent very little time in the water and, except for J7, all were decommissioned in 1924.
Under the Royal Australian Navy’s post World War I development program, two submarines – HMAS Otway and HMAS Oxley – were ordered from the Royal Navy. They arrived in Sydney in 1929, but due to maintenance problems and the depressed economy they were returned to Britain in 1931.
During World War II, the Royal Australian Navy obtained an ex-Dutch submarine K9, which was used for training purposes for surface ships in submarine detection.
It wasn’t until four initial Oberon Class submarines were commissioned that Australia began to build a strong submarine fleet. While the Oberons were not involved in any conflict while in service, their presence was invaluable to the Royal Australian Navy. They were built at Scotts Shipbuilding at Greenock in Scotland with the first of the boats, HMAS Oxley, commissioned in March 1967. This was followed by HMAS Otway, in March 1968, HMAS Ovens, in April 1969 and HMAS Onslow, December 1969. Oxley’s arrival in Sydney coincided with the commissioning of the (Above) The AE1, pictured here in the United Kingdom before being commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy. submarine base HMAS Platypus, at Neutral Bay, Sydney. In 1977 and 1978 The Oberon Class submarines (far left) were slowly phased out during the 1990s to make way for the Collins Class submarines. two more submarines were commissioned, HMAS Orion and HMAS Otama. Photos reproduced courtesy of the Royal Australian Navy. 9 The Collins Class project was established by the Royal Australian Navy in 1982. The new collins class design was required to meet the unique needs of the Navy, which were dictated by, among thecollinsclass other things, Australia’s geographic location. The submarines would be required to travel project great distances, operate in varying environments, have state-of-the-art weapons systems and perform traditional submarine functions using the most advanced technology available. The submarines would also be required to protect Australia through their very existence, acting as a deterrent to any enemy forces.
It was decided that large conventional submarines would be acquired. The Collins Class is the second largest non-nuclear powered submarine in the world.
Construction of the first submarine was initially intended to be done overseas. However, the Australian Government soon decided in order to promote the development of local industry, all six should be constructed within Australia. The newly formed Australian Submarine Corporation (ASC) then began the task of designing and building the most sophisticated, conventional submarine in the world.
11 The names of the Collins Class submarines commemorate the memory of six members collins class project of the Royal Australian Navy who served their country with distinction: Vice-Admiral Sir John Collins KBE CB RAN, Rear-Admiral Harold Bruce Farncomb CB DSO MVO RAN, continued Captain Hector McDonald Lewis Waller DSO RAN, Captain Emile Frank Verlaine Dechaineux DSC RAN, Ordinary Seaman Edward Sheean and Lieutenant Commander Robert ‘Oscar’ Rankin RAN. The latter four died while serving their country during World War II. With no submarine building experience within the country, ASC had to source staff and suppliers both locally and from overseas. Under the submarine build contract, overseas Due to the high level of skills required to build and maintain such complex military systems, suppliers were required to support a minimum of 70% Australian industry content for ASC employs over 200 engineering and technical specialists from all over the world, the platform. At the conclusion of the project, ACS achieved 73.5% Australian content. covering a broad range of disciplines. Overall, of the $4.7 billion contract, $2.9 billion worth of work was undertaken by subcontractors. In 2003, ASC was awarded the 25 year, $3.5 billion Through-Life Support contract, for maintenance and enhancement of the Collins Class over their lifespan. The six-submarine class of HMAS Collins, HMAS Farncomb, HMAS Waller, HMAS Dechaineux, Main image: Photo reproduced courtesy of the Royal Australian Navy. HMAS Sheean and HMAS Rankin have all been delivered to the Royal Australian Navy Badges reproduced courtesy of the Royal Australian Navy. In 2004, ASC was formally recognised as the design authority for the Collins Class. and are key elements of the Australian Defence Force, both as an intelligence-gathering platform during peace time and as a forceful opponent during times of war.
HMAS Collins HMAS Farncomb HMAS Waller HMAS Dechaineux HMAS Sheean HMAS Rankin Launched: 28 August 1993 Launched: 15 December 1995 Launched: 14 March 1997 Launched: 12 March 1998 Launched: 1 May 1999 Launched: 7 November 2001 Commissioned: July 1996 Commissioned: January 1998 Commissioned: February 2001 Commissioned: February 2001 Commissioned: November 2000 Commissioned: March 2003 13 features The Collins Class, developed from five generations of submarines designed and collins class Diesel-electric propulsion built by Kockums for the Swedish Navy, have a diameter of approximately 8 metres High capability battery, long range and high endurance with a displacement of 3,000 tonnes. They are designed to be as near noiseless as !TTACK 0ERISCOPE High performance hull form, automated controls and exceptional advanced technology can achieve. The control and monitoring of shipboard functions submatrhinees cl)NDUCaTION -AST ss2ADAR #OMMS -ASTS collins manoeuvrability 3EARCH 0ERISCOPE are handled by the ship-wide integrated ship control, management and monitoring %#- -ASTS High shock resistance, optimal noise suppression and low system. The system uses special and general purpose processors linked by two sets %XHAUST 0ORTS "RIDGE magnetic signature of redundant serial data buses. In addition, the system provides a high level of State-of-the-art combat system automation, thus allowing the crew size to be significantly smaller than other Efficient weapons handling and discharge systems conventional submarines. )NDUCTION 3YSTEM
4OWED !RRAY (0 !IR "OTTLES 4OWED !RRAY $RUM 'ENERATORS %XHAUST -UFFLERS %SCAPE 4OWER %XHAUST 3YSTEM The Collins Class’ manoeuvrability functions include four aft control surfaces 5PPER !CCOMMODATION 3PACE 7EAPONS %MBARKATION (ATCH 4ORPEDO %QUIPMENT 3PACE )NTERCEPT !RRAY individually actuated to provide superior manoeuvrability and inherent redundancy. The submarines are deep diving and can travel at speeds greater than 20 knots (submerged) and 10 knots (surfaced).
The submarines have six forward torpedo tubes and are able to carry up to 22 torpedoes or anti-ship missiles, or up to 44 mines in place of torpedoes. They are also able to employ sophisticated countermeasures which provide automatic detection, direction finding and identification of radar signals. The Collins Class &ORWARD "ATTERIES 7EAPONS 3TOWAGE ,AUNCH 4UBES &REE &LOOD 3PACE has some of the most technologically advanced sonar systems, decoy methods &UEL 4ANK 4UBE 3PACE -AIN -OTOR !FT "ATTERIES 0ROPULSION #ONTROL $IESEL %NGINES -AIN #OMPRESSION 4ANK &UEL 4ANK 'ALLEY #ONTROL #ENTRE and radars. -AIN "ALLAST 4ANKS ,OWER !CCOMMODATION 3PACE specifications Length 78 metres Diameter 8 metres Displacement 3,000 tonnes Propulsion Diesel-electric Crew 42, including 6 officers and 36 submariners
Reproduced with permission from the Commonwealth of Australia (as represented by the Australian Department of Defence). Weapons Mk48 torpedoes and sub-harpoon missiles 15 The Collins Class project required specification, integration and installation submarine construction of equipment and material from over 150 major contractors and hundreds of smaller suppliers. Most modules of the submarines were constructed off-site and then shipped to ASC for integration.
Key parameters for equipment included electrical power, cooling, noise, shock resistance, weight and electromagnetic characteristics, all under rigorous configuration management as data was distributed between the various suppliers during the design phase.
Upper Accommodation Diesel Space Platform Generators Casings Fin submarine outfitting statistics Piping 23,500 metres Section Section 200 Section 600 400 and 500 Main Motor Major cable lengths 7,000 Section Domestic Services 500 Space Platform Cable connections 200,000 Section 400 Section Cable 75,000 metres Electrical Equipment 200 Section 300 Batteries 400 tonnes Space Platform Section 100 Section 100
Control Room / A completed submarine is a system of systems. A Collins Class submarine Lower Accommodation Platform contains 108 integrated systems which are linked structurally, mechanically, electrically, hydraulically, pneumatically and electronically. All of these systems need power and cooling and many need to communicate with each other in order to achieve full operational capability.
17 Submarines are the least visible of all military assets. While this makes them highly role of submarines secretive in nature, it also makes them highly valuable. They provide several different functions to navies, many of which affect other military operations.
Designed to be virtually undetectable, submarines are able to patrol the world’s oceans – even in hostile territory. This allows them to gather intelligence, undertake surveillance and carry out reconnaissance missions. They are able to monitor the air, land and sea (both above the surface and below). Submarines act as force multipliers: forcing foreign military to launch several vessels in response to even the threat of a single submarine. 1 3 During times of war, submarines are crucial in controlling the seas. They detect and destroy hostile submarines and surface ships, blockade foreign ports and restrict ocean transport. They provide intelligence and underwater protection for surface ships and are able to detect and lay mines more efficiently than any other navy vessel. Submarines provide a means to land Special Forces in hostile regions and, if fitted with suitable weapons, are 3 able to strike land targets. 4 While most commonly known for the role they play in navies, submarines are also used for a variety of functions in the private sector. The most common are scientific submarines, which explore the world’s oceans to further research and to locate sunken ships. Submarines can also be used for tourism, while unmanned submarines (which are very small and operated 2 remotely from the surface) are used to perform work which is too deep or too dangerous for divers, such as on an oil rig.
The role of submarines is varied, including: surveillance (1), mine laying (2), locating and destroying hostile surface ships (3) and landing Special Forces (4) (although not all roles are undertaken at the same time). 19 relative complexity
The Collins Class submarines are the most complex military vessel built in Australia to date. of submarines The submarines are ten times more complicated than a frigate, even though both are approximately 3,000 tonnes displacement. Over 33,000 drawings and 5000 work orders were produced before the build process began, and once work started, each submarine took 2.5 million hours to assemble.
Platform Battle Tank Boeing Frigate Collins Class Complexity Metrics 777 Submarine
Weight (tonnes) 30 250 3,600 3,000
Length (metres) 7 60 118 78
Number of systems 25 40 60 108
Number of suppliers 600 550 600 1,600
Crew size 4 10 163 43
Patrol duration (hours) 24 8-14 340 1,700
Number of parts to assemble 14,000 100,000 170,000 500,000
Number of person hours to assemble 5,500 50,000 1,200,000 2,500,000
Construction time (months) 7 14 22 60
Price (AUD $M) 4 300 600 1,000 Photos reproduced courtesy of the Royal Australian Navy.
21 Submarine technology is constantly evolving. Future advancements will allow submarines of submarines of tomorrow to be far more efficient and effective warships. While designers are looking at ways to improve current models, entirely new concepts the future are also being developed. One of theses concepts is a miniature submarine which is remotely operated and equipped with sensors such as the periscope and sonar system. This miniature submarine will then feed information back to the ‘mothership’, which can remain a safe distance away.
Other ideas include: ways to accommodate for a greater variety of weapons used, sonar systems that allow the submarine to be further away from its target and air-independent propulsion which will allow submarines to stay submerged for weeks at a time. Improvements to hull strength are also being researched in order to develop a design that can withstand a direct hit from today’s conventional weapons.
23 acknowledgements www.navy.gov.au
Bill Hollas, DTO Manager, ASC ASC Pty Ltd Andrew Mangnoson, South Australian Maritime Museum Mersey Road, Outer Harbor Samantha McDonough, Australian Maritime Museum South Australia 5018 Steve Middel, Electric Boat Corporation Telephone: +61 8 8348 7000 Special thanks to the Royal Australian Navy photographic branch www.asc.com.au