• Home
  • Download PDF
  • Order CD-ROM
  • Order in Print
SUBMARINE IDENTIFICATION - 14243_279
Figure 13-23.General profile appearance of submarines - 14243_281

Signalman 1 & C - Aviation theories and other practices
Page Navigation
  259    260    261    262    263  264  265    266    267    268    269  
Figure 13-22.—Modern submarine. on the hull, and bow profile. The visual coding approach is based on examining the profile appearance of a given submarine and assigning numerical values that best correspond with illustrated examples appearing in selected appearance group coding. Three factors are usually sufficient to identify a class; thus each submarine class has a three-digit number. In cases where several submarines possess the same appearance code number, their profile and photographs should be carefully compared to distinguish between them. General Appearance Coding Surface submarines and partially submerged submarines are best identified by their sail configuration; hence, the sail shape is the most important factor in coding the general appearance of submarines. (See fig. 13-23.) Sail Placement Coding The system for coding the sail placement parallels and reinforces the system outlined under General Appearance Coding. Generally, the sails of newer submarines are placed closer to the bow than those of older designs. In examining the five basic sail positions (fig. 13-24), you should choose the example that best shows the position of the sighted sail in relation to the hull. Using this system, you should be within two or three silhouettes in confirmation of submarine class and type. Bow Profile Coding Bow profiles (fig. 13-25) are assigned numerical values in an ascending order that coincides with the severity of the angle at which the stem or deck line approaches the waterline. On the newer submarines, the bulbous bow is seldom seen; when the submarine is surfaced, the deck line forward of the sail appears to slope gently into the water. On the older submarines the bow has a definite terminal point, and the angle of the stem is either raked or sheer. Note that in the coding of bow profiles, structures atop the bow are not considered as part of the bow shape. Bow shapes are often difficult to see because of observation angle or water wave action; but this should not constrain you from identifying a particular submarine based on the first two codes. General Recognition Factors The principal Soviet innovation is the streamlined turtleback sail, which has a curved topline that merges with the after trailing edge of the sail. For classification, the new turtleback sail is assigned appearance group code 1. (See fig. 13-23.) Rectangular sails are so numerous that they must be broken down into subdivisions as to how they appear in relation to other features. The new SSBNs usually have a rectangular sail with sail planes. They also have a bullet-shape bow, a stern fin, and a prominently raised and broken deck line aft of the sail. The SSBN classes largely constitute appearance group 2 (fig. 13-25). 13-16







Western Governors University

Privacy Statement
Press Release
Contact

© Copyright Integrated Publishing, Inc.. All Rights Reserved. Design by Strategico.