|
Heh
This submarine is nothing spectacular. The Song class is based on the Russian(Soviet) Romeo class of diesel electric submarines, produced in the 1950's. It's antiship missiles have a range of 18KM, nothing compared to the Harpoon used by the United States, and it's speed using the electric motors is not nearly fast enough to outrun nuclear powered vessels. This is of key importance to a diesel submarine; if it does get off it's first shot and is detected, it must get away. It can only be engaged in combat until it is forced to surface to replenish it's oxygen supply. This is a distinct tactical disadvantage when compared to nuclear powered boats, and the advantage of it's "stealthiness" is in fact a double edge sword when combined with the fact that it must surface.
Modern Seawolf and the upcoming Virginia class submarines are extremely quiet and fast. Any great blue water fleet must rely on nuclear submarines for it's arsenal; surfacing is not an option.
When we had diesel subs back in the 50's and 60's, the Russians would play games with us. When I was reading "Blind Man's Bluff", one account told of Russian surface ships preventing a US diesel sub to surface until it was almost out of oxygen. A complete embarassment for the US Navy, and a key reason why all our subs our nuclear powered. Diesel electric subs really only possess and advantage in small tributaries or on the coast. This Chinese boat was 160ft. long....the smallest American submarine, the LA class, is 360ft. When they can make a large submarine quiet I'll be scared.
|