Underwater speed record

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In 1965 the USS Albacore reported a speed of 33 knots (38 mph)[1] but this was not an official record[2]. In 1968 there was an incident when a Russian November class submarine tracked an American carrier group travelling at 31 knots (36 mph)[3]. This led the United States Navy to develop the Los Angeles class submarines, whose reported speed is 30-32 knots.

There are established reports and manufacturer's claims that would indicate two (or perhaps more) Russian submarines are capable of speeds exceeding those set by US Navy vessels. The Akula class submarine (Russian word for Shark) class vessel is reportedly capable of travelling submerged at 35 knots (40 mph) and its predecessor, the Alfa class submarine, could attain short speed bursts of 40-45 knots while submerged[4][5]. However, due to the rather secretive nature of these vessels, confirmations of these numbers is highly suspect and unlikely.

The British Spearfish torpedo designed to counter high speed Russian submarines, such as the Alfa class submarine, is reputed to have a speed in excess of 70 knots (80 mph). The Russian rocket-powered supercavitating torpedo VA-111 Shkval is reportedly capable of speed in excess of 200 knots (230 mph)[citation needed]. German press reports of an underwater anti-torpedo missile named Barracuda that allegedly reaches 800 km/h [6]. The U.S. Navy has contracted with the General Dyanmics Electric Boat Division to support development of the Underwater Express, an undersea transport capable of controllable speeds up to 100 knots through supercavitation.[7]

[edit] See also

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See also

[edit] External links

  1. ^ Tyler, Patrick (1986). Running Critical. New York: Harper&Row, 70. 
  2. ^ A sightseer's guide to engineering - USS Albacore, Port of Portsmouth Maritime Museum & Albacore Park
  3. ^ Tyler, Patrick (1986). Running Critical. New York: Harper&Row, 23-26, 34-46. 
  4. ^ Tyler, Patrick (1986). Running Critical. New York: Harper&Row, 152-153. 
  5. ^ Nilsen, Thomas; Kudrik, Igor & Nikitin, Alexandr (1997-09-28), Project 705, 705 K (Lira) - Alfa Class, <http://spb.org.ru/bellona/ehome/russia/nfl/705.htm> 
  6. ^ Highspeed in der Tiefe http://www.morgenwelt.de/609.1.html Morganwelt: Superkavitation June 23, 2005 Translation needed from German
  7. ^ General Dyanmics Electric Boat Press Releases - 2006
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