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By A. D. Baker III, Editor Combat Fleets of the World
Named for former Oceanographer of the Navy Rear Admiral Odale D. Waters, Jr. (1910-1986), the USNS Waters (T-AGS-45) was ordered from Avondale Shipyards on 4 April 1990. Built to replace the USNS Mizar (T- AGOR-11), the Waters will tow acoustic projectors, conduct bathymetric, oceanographic, and hydrographic surveys, and operate an undersea remotely operated vehicle (ROV). The 12,200-ton ship will be 455 feet long and will be powered by five 2,500-kilowatt EMD diesel generator sets that will supply electricity for two 3,400-shaft horsepower West- inghouse propulsion motors, as well as for ship’s service and mission- related requirements. The builders project a range of 6,500 nautical miles at 12 knots, plus a 30-day on-station mission endurance.
Two large nuclear-powered submarines joined the Soviet Pacific Fleet during September 1990: the Pacific area’s first 18,000-ton Oscar-II cruise-missile submarine (above) and a 13,250-ton Delta-Ill ballistic-missile submarine (below). The Oscar-II carries 24 SS-N-19 Shipwreck antiship missiles in inclined tubes flanking the pressure hull—which accounts for her enormous 59-foot girth—while SS-N-15 and SS-N-16 antisubmarine missiles and various torpedoes are launched from horizontal tubes at the bow. Although of nearly the same submerged displacement as the U.S. Navy’s Ohio (SSBN-726)-class SSBN, the Oscar-II is 55 feet shorter overall. The Delta- Ill joins others of her class in the Pacific in carrying 16 SS-N-18 Sting
ray strategic ballistic missiles, each of which can transport up to seven independently targeted warheads to a maximum range of 4,350 nautical miles.
The Delta III is one of 14 delivered 1975-1982 by Severodvinsk Shipyard, which currently builds the even larger Delta-IV- and Oscar-II-class nuclear-powered submarines.
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Proceedings / January 1991