SUBMARINE IDENTIFICATION
Figure 13-20.—Transliteration table of the Russian alphabet.
LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Explain the
procedure for identifying submarines,
including recognition features and the
recognition coding system.
Submarines are the most elusive of all naval ships.
To locate and prosecute (track) a submarine
successfully is a formidable task, one to which a good
portion of our Navy is devoted. In this section we
discuss submarine recognition features, including
nomenclature and profiles.
RECOGNITION FEATURES
The exterior view of submarines presents a very
low silhouette; this is because submarines have a low
center of gravity and, therefore, are normally
two-thirds submerged while on the surface (fig.
13-21). The exterior or hull of submarines is
cylindrical and gradually tapers forward and aft to
become the bow and stern respectively.
On older conventional submarines, the
superstructure deck (called the main deck) extends
virtually from the tip of the bow to near the stern. The
deck is generally level. Beginning near the midships
section, the deck rises gradually in the direction of the
bow to a height of about 10 feet above the waterline.
The freeboard of the after end of the main deck is about
4 feet.
Modern submarines still retain most design
features developed and proven over the years, but new
external styling is evident (fig. 13-22). The basic hull
shape resembles a torpedo, with a rounded nose and
control planes at the stern set at right angles to each
other. Other surfaces show streamlined fairing.
RECOGNITION CODING SYSTEM
Most submarine recognition manuals use a visual
coding system based on a general profile appearance
(sail shape being the primary factor), sail placement
Figure13-21.—Profile of a submarine.
13-15
