“You’ve come a long way, baby,” could apply to the Presidential-class subs of 2015, as we catch an underwater glimpse of the Harry S Truman logging the first aircraft “kill” while submerged, while her C4I/EW interchangeable mission module coordinated defensive and offensive electronic warfare operations for the coalition force commander in the Onglovian Conflict.
The year is 2015. As a retired submarine officer, I am feeling reflective about the past while contemplating the future. I am fascinated by the way in which the combination of science, technology, engineering, tenacity, and innovation have broadened the nature and contributions of our submarine force over the past 20 years.
I’ve decided to put a few thoughts together that relate the situation in 2015 to our past. Today’s young officers should learn one important lesson from their predecessors: Never stand still. Don’t preserve the past; learn from it. Embrace the future. Be innovative, not defensive. Be bold!
We have come a long way since the mid-1990s. The very existence of the U.S. submarine force was in doubt. The question then was whether the nation had the need or the money to acquire small numbers of nuclear-powered submarines (SSNs) to maintain the capability to design and build them.
Now, in 2015, we can see how important it was to continue building SSNs. If we had not preserved the nuclear submarine construction base in 1995, we still would be struggling—at a staggering and perhaps unaffordable cost—to reconstitute an undersea warfare capability. Dominance from beneath the sea is recognized as an essential element of maritime, environmental, and military leverage. Adequate submarine force levels and the timely introduction of capabilities into our submarines were key to successful conclusion of the conflicts that threatened the ability of the United States to remain a world leader during a frightening period.
Today, the United States has a strong, flexible submarine force. A grateful nation acknowledged the force’s contributions in the Three-Way Wars of 2002 through 2006 as well as in four regional conflicts since then.
Congress just authorized three additional Presidential-class multipurpose submarines. This brings the total number of Presidential SSXNs up to 21—10 in the water and 11 more authorized. Added to this we have a squadron of Star-class SSNs—Centurions for you old salts—plus the venerable Seawolf-class, three SSN-688-class submarine squadrons, and two squadrons of aging Ohio (SSBN-726)-class SSBNs, one in each fleet.
The robustness of the force is very gratifying to those within and supportive of our submarine force. With the perspective of old age and the parochialism of a retired submariner, I feel we owe a debt of gratitude to the men and women who were most responsible for the reemergence of the submarine force as the premier, elite group in our nation’s military. The United States’ undersea capabilities have contributed to national prominence in economic and environmental areas, as well as military dominance.
We are especially mindful of the fact that if it were not for the persistence, industry, resilience under duress, and, most importantly, imagination and innovation of a small number of civilians and military members during the dark years of the mid-1990s, we never would have realized this resurgence.
A good way to spotlight the significance and illustrate the changes implicit in this resurgence is to recount some of the many operational successes in the recent coalition victories during regional conflicts in South America and Africa.
By way of background, it is fair to say that the development and expansion in employment of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) and the incorporation of interchangeable modular mission sections in the Presidential-class boats are the two most important changes to occur in the past 30 years. Supported by the smaller S-11-Z combined nuclear/air independent diesel propulsion system, the Presidential-class multipurpose submarines have redefined maritime warfare, especially when employed in consort pairs with AUVs.
In October 2013, three months after the Onglovian Peace Agreement was signed, Commander Russ Folger, the second commanding officer of the Harry S Truman, received the Distinguished Service Medal from the Chief of Naval Operations for his role in operations that led to the coalition victory. Beyond bravery, leadership, and operational success that directly contributed to that victory, Commander Folger demonstrated the same innovative genius that has typified submarine warfare for more than 100 years.
In its first operations off Onglovia, the Truman was configured with the Special Warfare mission module, which is designed to carry and support two fully outfitted Special Operations Force platoons. A well-deck ship more than 100 miles off shore launched one of its two AUVs configured for mine and submarine reconnaissance. Two days later, Commander Folger and his crew took control of AUV-12 and skillfully mapped a 3-mile-wide area from the 50-fathom curve to the 10-fathom curve.
Despite an irregular bottom and the presence of dangerous coral reefs, the Truman was able to prove the absence of a mine or submarine threat in the area—a fact previously unknown to General Siebert, the Joint Task Force Commander on the flagship. This intelligence was a prerequisite for the preconflict SEAL operations and also influenced General Siebert’s decision to make the Marine incursion into Onglovia. That decision, in turn, led to lighter coalition losses and shortened the war. In addition, Commander Folger aided in the crucial mission by the embarked Special Operations Forces, the results of which included mapping the route, implanting the route markers, and providing a real time communications link. The Special Operations Forces made a covert passage to the shore, carried out their mission, and returned without casualties.
This was the first operational employment of AUV-12 With its improved low-power active navigation/mine-hunting sonar system and low-light TV system, AUV-12 was continuously in communication with the mother SSXN–actually, SSFN in this configuration—by redundant acoustic and fiber optic links. The system worked exactly as advertised.
As a result of the skillful AUV operators in the Harry S Truman, AUV-12 was returned safely and covertly to the well-deck ship. AUV-14 was never needed.
The combined effect of intelligence and warning provided by the Harry S Truman and two sister submarines; the two successful Truman-launched Special Operations Forces strikes that decapitated the Onglovian buried command-and-control system; and the covert conventionally armed missile strike launched from the USS Maine prevented Onglovia from ever really getting its act together. Enabled “from beneath the sea,” our coalition force took control of the air, and, subsequently, the ground war.
Two months later, the Harry S Truman, configured an SSCN with its command, control, communications; computers, and information/electronic warfare (C4I/EW) mission module, returned to support the shore-based joint task force commander and his coalition forces.
Commander Folger, again coordinating with the Combined Amphibious Battle Group, repeatedly took control of Unmanned Air Vehicles deck-launched from a remote safe haven and provided invaluable surveillance, intelligence, and battle-damage assessment information to the battle staff.
Positioned offshore. Commander Folger bottomed in 70 feet of water. For two days the C4I/EW mission module of the SSCN coordinated defensive and offensive electronic warfare operations for the coalition force commander while the high-value battle force units steamed in safe, remote waters. The successful completion of this sensitive segment of the war plan dramatically demonstrated the C4I capability of the multirole Presidential-class.
Another important event in our submarine force history occurred while the Truman was bottomed off the coast. An inquisitive Onglovian scout helicopter was shot down by one of the Truman's two on-board air-defense missiles, the first aircraft “kill” logged by a submerged submarine.
In the summer of 2014, during the Kolivian Conflict, the Grover Cleveland, under the command of Commander Maurice Nelson, again proved the versatility and essentiality of submarines.
More than three months before hostilities, the presence of a mine threat, but not its extent, was discovered. Its neutralization was a prerequisite to the effective use of naval forces. Covertness was essential to protect the secrecy of our timetable and the safety of our forces.
Although coordinated AUV-submarine operations in countermine surveillance had been demonstrated in Jungle Daisy, Kolivian Koffee was the first conflict in which mine mapping and neutralization were demonstrated to any significant degree.
With the countermine mission module configuration, the Grover Cleveland became the first SSMN to work with three separate AUVs simultaneously to map and clear six lanes from deep water to a point 1,000-1,500 yards from the beach. The mission provided the mine warfare commander on board the Grover Cleveland with precise mapping of the mine locations and safety lanes. The mine countermeasures data and the record and location of disposal of 18 mines were provided to the joint task force commander in near-real time.
Commander Nelson, when recognized for the Grover Cleveland's feats, expressed regret he had not had the opportunity to participate in either cruise missile or torpedo attacks on Kolivian forces. He was returning to the theater in the Grover Cleveland's SSLN land-attack missile configuration, carrying 50 of the two-foot CEP Tomzip missiles when the war ended.
Not all the glory goes to Presidential SSXN commanding officers. Our Seawolfs continue to provide a disproportionate percentage of the intelligence gathered on threat submarines around the world. The mid-life Star submarines, formerly Centurions, are ideally suited for Special Forces operations and covert strike coverage. They have been used extensively in both real-world contingencies and in training.
A strategic mission module for the Presidential class is under consideration. This module will add another dimension to this multirole SSXN and provide a flexible replacement for the Ohio class. Our deterrent mission would thus be broadened to include both nuclear- and conventionally armed missiles. The ability to increase and decrease the number of deterrent missiles at sea within a submarine force of fixed size will increase the value of our multirole force.
Also under study is the potential use of submarines in the terminal phase of our newly deployed theater missile defense system. This prospect is made more attractive by the requirement to develop only a mission module, instead of additional submarine platforms.
Improvements to the C4I/EW mission module are also being considered. There appears to be great potential for the SSCN to coordinate the operation of a distributed sensor system tied to prepositioned stationary buoys launched by submarines or surface ships.
The smaller reactor plant designs and further innovations in submarine hull design and composite materials fabrication have permitted development of reasonably sized ships at moderate cost. We no longer will have a need to refuel the submarines, despite hull lifetimes that extend to 40 years. Operations at slow speeds can now be supported from air-independent diesels with the reactor plant shut down or by electric power with steam supplied only to turbine generators.
Essentially all of the sources of noise have been removed in submarine design. The improvements have been achieved largely through design simplification. The cost of stealth has continuously decreased since the Seawolf.
The incorporation of elastomeric torpedo launch, beginning with the Star class, removed this noisy transient from submarines for all time.
We are considering incorporating masts and antennas into the mission module for future Presidential-class submarines. This approach matches the C4I configuration to the requirements of the mission. Sail size is reduced and sail stealth improved.
Modification of the submarine and surface ship surveillance and attack mission module for the SSKN has begun. For the first time we are able to combine the AUV and SSKN sensor suites. We also will be able to deploy and/or tie into relocatable low-frequency active arrays and advanced deployable bottom sensor arrays. Thus, whether used for intelligence collection against surface ships, minelayers, and/or submarines, or to promote localization and attacks of such contacts during wartime, the SSKN tied to such networks is limited only by the extent of the deployed network. This capability will promote the safety of high-value naval units and the quality of our operational intelligence. Further, it will allow greater coverage and therefore improved efficiency for the limited number of submarines available.
We are investigating a number of ancillary missions for the Presidential-class SSXN for peacetime, given the several mission module operations available. These missions include, but are not limited to, oceanographic, Arctic, topographical, and biological research; electromagnetic and other EW-related projects of both military and commercial value; support of commercial AUV ventures; environmental monitoring and research; and disaster and energy relief.
The important thing for us to remember at this crossroads for the submarine force is that our future, as was the case in 1995, is limited only by our imagination and innovative spirit. This is a period of opportunity. Our nation will continue to face challenges. The submarine force must embrace technology and leap into the future to support the needs of the United States in war and peace. To do less would break faith with those who went before us. Unleash the adventuresome spirit of the men and women recruited and trained by Commanders Folger and Nelson!
Rear Admiral Houley is Director, Test and Evaluation and Technology Requirements (N091), Office of the Chief of Naval Operations.