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Submarines - Victoria Class
About the Ship
The second of four submarines built for the Royal Navy. The UPHOLDER Class (as they were named) were built as successors to the OBERON Class of submarines, of which Canada had three: OJIBWA, OKANAGAN and ONONDAGA (plus one training boat).
Speed: 12 knots (surfaced), 20 knots (submerged)
Patrol Endurance: approximately 8 weeks.
Complement: 48 crew and 5 trainees.
Driving Depth: 200 metres
Top of PageInterior
Torpedo Room
The Torpedo Room (Weapon Stowage Compartment, as it is called in the submarine service) contains racks for the stowage of up to eighteen heavyweight torpedoes. The torpedoes are fired from six tubes located at the forward end of the compartment. Modern torpedo-handling equipment allows for quick and efficient loading and re-loading of the six tubes.
In an emergency, should the submarine become disabled on the bottom of the sea, the Weapon Stowage Compartment is fitted with an Escape Tower. The Escape Tower feature permits crewmembers to be rescued by specially configured submarine rescue vehicles, or to escape using specialized escape suits.
Steering & Depth Control
The submarine’s course, depth, and speed are controlled from this position. The steering and depth control mechanism is an integrated “ONE MAN CONTROL UNIT” manned by the helmsman. The Ship Control Officer of the Watch gives orders to the helmsman and engine room and coordinates various at-sea activities like surfacing and submerging.
Control Room
The Control Room is the fighting centre of the submarine, from where the Captain ‘fights’ the boat with the assistance of the Control Room team. Combat system computers process external data received from sonar’s and other sensors. The various sensors provide a stream of constant real-time data that contributes to the development of a coherent tactical picture. This picture allows the combat team to understand what is taking place outside the submarine.
In the event it is decided to engage a hostile target, the Submarine Fire Control System (SFCS) is used to launch and control heavyweight torpedoes. The SFCS is comprised of computers and display screens, linked to an integrated data bus with inputs from an inertial navigation system and various sensors. In order to confirm data gathered from electronic sensors, the submarine is equipped with optical periscopes. The smaller of the two periscopes is called the Attack periscope, while the larger is called the Search Periscope.
Machinery Control Room
Here, the MCR team keeps the ships power flowing from the engines to the shafts and all the electrical and mechanical systems in the ship weapons, sensors, communications, lighting, air-conditioning/heat, refrigeration, fire-control, pumps, winches and a host of other power hungry components. Directly beneath the MCR in the engine room itself, the 50,000 shp generated by twin Pratt and Whitney gas turbines push the ship to more than 29 knots (50 km/hr) while the variable-pitch screws can stop within her own length.
Engine Room
The Engine Room contains two diesel engines and associated electric generators, as well as a host of other mechanical equipment essential to the operation of the submarine. Engine Room equipment is controlled remotely from the MCR. Smooth operation and maintenance of Engine Room machinery is the responsibility of Marine Engineering Artificers, Technicians, and Mechanics, all skilled in the repair of diesel engines, air compressors and the submarine’s other mechanical equipment.
Armaments and Countermeasures
MK 48 Heavyweight Torpedoes
The main armament of Canada’s VICTORIA class submarine fleet is the MK48 heavyweight torpedo. This weapon, acquired in the mid-1980’s, is designed for use against both surface ships and submarines. It features high speed, deep-diving depth, long-range and a powerful warhead. A hit by a single MK48 torpedo will prove fatal to small and medium size ships/submarines, while two torpedoes will disable or sink the largest ships and submarines in existence.
After launch the MK48 torpedo is connected to the submarine by a thin guidance wire, through which the torpedo and submarine fire control system (SFCS) “talk” to each other. This ability to communicate allows the weapon to be steered in different directions or alternatively, a different target may be assigned after the weapon has been fired. The MK48 torpedo is extremely reliable and very effective.
Acoustic / Bubble Decoys
Countermeasures
Accoustic / Bubble Decoys
In an effort to confuse anti-submarine forces that may have detected the submarine, VICTORIA class boats can fire ‘bubble’ decoys from a small vertical discharge tube called a Submerged Signal Ejector (SSE). Developed in WWII, bubble decoys function in a manner best described as a “hovering alka-seltzer tablet”. The large cloud of underwater air bubbles has some resemblance to a submerged submarine, and serves to confuse pursuers using sonar.
Sensors
Active Acoustic Sensors
Active acoustic sonar systems rely on the transmission of sound waves into the water, with the intention of receiving an echo from a nearby target. Active sensors in the Victoria class include a medium –range detection set fitted in the bow of the submarine, as well as echo-sounders are relatively undetectable. However, the main active detective sonar, as well as other types of echo-sounders, are highly detectable by anti-submarine forces. Therefore, they are used with extreme care.
Passive Acoustic Sensors
VICTORIA class submarines are fitted with a wide variety of passive sonars. Passive sonar systems are simply underwater hydrophones designed to listen to noise radiated by other ships, submarines and aircraft into the ocean. A sonar operator mans a display that indicates the location of the detector target, listening to the received sounds on headphones, sonar operators are trained to identify the sources of different sounds received.
The types of passive sonar systems on the VICTORIA class are a Towed Array, which is contained in a long waterproof tube, pulled behind the submarine at the end of a long cable, the remainder are fitted to the hull of the submarine, either individually or in arrays. One such system, called an Intercept Sonar, is specifically designed to listen for other ships and submarines’ active sonars. It is also used to detect torpedoes.
Sperry Type 1007 Radar
Radar
Sperry Type 1007 Navigation Radar
Radar is an above-water sensor. Accordingly, it can only be used when the submarine is on the surface or at periscope depth (at a shallow depth where masts and periscopes can be extended above the water). Because of its susceptibility to detection by aircraft and ships equipped with electronic detection equipment, the submarine seldom uses radar.
When the radar is used, it is primarily to assist navigation when entering and leaving the harbour, or when transiting on the surface in limited visibility (fog, rain, snow). Submarines in WWII used radar extensively to conduct surface torpedo attacks. However, because of the risk to the submarine and advances in sonar, this is no longer the case today.
Periscopes
Periscopes
Barr & Stroud CK35 / CH85 Periscopes
The VICTORIA class submarines are equipped with two types of periscopes. The Attack Periscope is the Barr & Stroud CH85. It is a monocular instrument (one eyepiece) and is relatively undetectable. Fitted with infrared capability, it is used to conduct attacks on surface ships or to gather intelligence when the submarine needs to remain undetected.
The Search Periscope is the Barr & Stroud CK35. It is a binocular instrument and is additionally equipped with the Condor SEASEARCH II ESM system. The search periscope is used to keep a lookout for other ships and aircraft when the submarine is at Periscope Depth. The SEASEARCH II system provides warning of nearby hostile radars. Both periscopes have range-estimating devices that allow the Captain to determine the exact distance to other ships.
Condor SEASEARCH II ESM
Electronic Sensors Measures
Condor SEASEARCH II (ESM)
Radar is used by ships and aircraft to detect other vessels and aircraft operating in the vicinity. Radar is also effective in detecting surface submarines, as well as the masts and periscopes of submarines operating submerged at periscope depth. It is vitally important that a submarine be equipped with ESM in order to forewarn the presence of a transmitting radar. The advantage of ESM is that it gives indication of an active radar before the radar can detect the submarine. The antenna for this system is fitted on the top of the Search Periscope.
Class Data
Overview
The second of four submarines built for the Royal Navy. The UPHOLDER Class (as they were named) were built as successors to the OBERON Class of submarines, of which Canada had three: OJIBWA, OKANAGAN and ONONDAGA (plus one training boat).
Accepted into RN service: 1990-1993.
Laid up: 1994 Re-activation for Canada: from 1999
After decades of unrelenting anti-submarine warfare (ASW) activities in the North Atlantic during the Cold War, the Navy's long-range strategy evolved, in the 1980s and '90s, to encompass a broadened, more general purpose role, in keeping with the changing nature of contemporary threats to world peace and stability and to our own seaward security. While the OBERONS inherited design and performance principles from German and allied World War II operational experiences, the VICTORIA/UPHOLDERS are modern, conventionally-powered boats with vastly more evolved hydrodynamic features and advanced marine engineering systems, as well as better habitability and endurance. The boats are able to 'snort' (through an extendible air-breather) while at periscope depth and can remain deeply submerged for extended periods at slow speed. Operating depth is over 200m. The hulls are covered with 22,000 anechoic rubber tiles specially designed to absorb sonar transmissions and make the submarines hard to detect. The boats are designed to operate for 7 years between overhauls. There is a five-person diver lockout chamber in the fin.
Submarines for Canada's 21st Century Roles
These vessels provide the Navy with formidable defensive and offensive capabilities, along with a valuable anti-submarine (ASW) training asset. They are extremely quiet and stealthy, and well suited for current naval defence roles. Important amongst these is support to other federal government departments, including participation in fisheries, immigration, law enforcement and environmental patrols. In 2002 HMCS VICTORIA will join the West Coast fleet as part of Maritime Forces Pacific (MARPAC) in her name-sake city, Victoria, B.C. At that time VICTORIA will re-establish a permanent Canadian Pacific submarine presence, lost in 1974 when HMCS RAINBOW (former-USS ARGONAUT) was paid off.
Improved War-fighting Capabilities
After further re-fit in Britain and Canada, our VICTORIA CLASS submarines will incorporate more technological improvements, including modernised fire-control and torpedo-launching systems (for a total warload of 18 anti-ship and anti-submarine Mk 48 homing torpedoes). Current sub-Harpoon firing and mine-laying capabilities will be removed. Upgrades will include: communications (a UHF DAMA Satcom), navigation (a GPS Navigation Aid) electronic sensors and radar warning outfits (Condor Systems Sea Search 2), sonar (the Canadian Towed Array Sonar (CANTASS) will be integrated with the RN Type 2046 system), and radar (Type 1007). Submarine Escape and Rescue (Sm E&R) upgrades including stowage space for escape stores and an emergency underwater telephone (UWT). Three additional bunks will be fitted as well as a solid waste processing system. VICTORIA's combat teams will be able to use the boat's formidable array of defensive and offensive measures not only to protect the submarine but also the surface units of task groups.
Home Ports
CFB Esquimalt:
HMCS Victoria 876
CFB Halifax:
HMCS Corner Brook 878
HMCS Windsor 877
HMCS Chicoutimi 879
The Specs
Type: Long Range Patrol Submarine (SSK)
Speed: 12 knots (surfaced), 20 knots (submerged)
Patrol Endurance: approximately 8 weeks.
Complement: 48 crew and 5 trainees.
Driving Depth: 200 metres
Primary navigation (left column)
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