Naval Review

India will get Typhoon
A Russian ballistic missile submarine may become available to the Indian Navy soon. Newspapers on the sub-continent are reporting that the giant submarines, called Typhoon by the West, are to be leased to the navy for three years.

India has been attempting its own nuclear sub program for decades. From 1988-91 it leased a Charlie class SSBN from the former Soviet Union.

There are only two Typhoons, largest submarines ever built, still in service with the Russian Navy.

For more see below.

DDX Update
The US Navy will scatter missile launchers throughout the hull of its new DDX advanced destroyer. The idea is to be able to hit back even if part of the ship is damaged or out of action.

Today’s cruiser and destroyers group their missiles in a single armored box, either in the for or aft part of the hull where they are more vulnerable.

Briefs

-A metallurgist has invented a super hard coating which is four times harder than steel when applied. The US Navy hopes to use it to strengthen its Seahawk helicopters.
-A UK naval task force grouped around the aircraft carrier Ark Royal will stop by the Persian Gulf, while on a plan visit to Asia.

-The German defense minister says NATO will move its naval forces in the Mediterranean Sea, from its present base of Cyprus, to Gibraltar. The warships will guard merchant vessels from terrorist attacks.

-The US navy will increase the size of its Wasp class amphibious assault carriers to accommodate the new F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. The hull will be widened by 10 feet to carrier the JSF, which is heavier than the present Harrier fighter.

Facts & Figures
Russian Typhoon SSBN

Crew: 160
Length: 516 ft (172m)
Width: 69.9 ft (23.3m)
Displacement: 23,200 tons surface
48,000 tons submerged
Max speed: 25 knots
Endurance: 120 days
Weapons: 20 Ballistic missiles
22 torpedoes
6 torpedo tubes
Propulsion: 2 nuclear reactors
2 propellers

· Largest submarine ever built
· Two main hulls
· Can dive to 1200 ft (400 m)
· Featured in the film "Hunt for Red October"
· About the size of a WW 2 aircraft carrier.

For more info go to: Naval Technology

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