French submarine Saphir (S602). Wikipedia
Kyle Mizokami, National Interest: In 2015, a 30 Year Old French Nuclear Submarine 'Sank' a U.S. Aircraft Carrier
In March 2015, one of the largest nuclear-powered warships in the world was “sunk” by one of the smallest.
The Saphir, a French nuclear attack submarine, reportedly penetrated the defenses of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt and scored simulated torpedo hits on her. The incident, originally reported by the French Navy, was later suppressed.
On March 4th, 2015 the French Navy announced in a blog post that the submarine Saphir (“Sapphire”) had simulated stalking and killing the carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt. Not only was the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier simulated sunk but an unknown number of her escorts. The post was later removed without comment from the blog.
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WNU Editor: Apparently the French suppressed the report that they were successful in"sinking" the USS Theodore Roosevelt because they did not want to embarrass the Americans. Too bad .... I would have publicised it to high heaven.
4 comments:
It's not really something to boast about,
" Unfortunately, after essentially abandoning ASW after the collapse of the USSR, the world’s navies – the US Navy in the forefront -- find themselves ill-equipped to counter the explosive growth in the Third World fleet of stealthy, fourth generation diesel-electric subs like the U-212/214-class (Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft GmbH of Kiel and Thyssen Nordseewerke GmbH of Endenand, Germany) and the Scorpene-class (DCN of France and Izar (formerly Bazan) of Spain)."
http://www.navlog.org/aswcom.html
http://www.navlog.org/aswcom.html
I remember when this was first reported. I also wondered why the French didn't gloat. I highly doubt that they refrained to avoid embarrassing the Americans. Embarrassing the Americans and publicizing it is great fun, costs nothing, has little downside risks, and has huge upside potential. This is especially so in a case like this. As such, the failure to publicize is most likely do to other factors.
While much can probably be learned from war games, they are "games." I would be inclined to wonder ehat use they have. Everyone does it. As such, the "games" must have positive utility.
What were the parameters of this "game?" For example, did the planners "stack the deck" against the aircraft carrier to try and determine how the crew would repspond to an unwinnable situation? Did the aircraft carrier utilize an inexperienced crew while the French sub utilized a highly experienced crew? Presumably inexperienced crews will need practice so they can learn.
I suspect factors such as this had a large role. As such, the French didn't gloat and they deleted the blog post.
After then end of the Cold War, NATO, all of NATO, including the USN allowed hard earned ASW skills and technologies to lapse.
After all, we didn't have to run supply convoys to Europe anymore against the Red Banner Fleet to stave off the Soviet hordes.
Canada's 1960's fleet of 3 Oberon class diesel subs spent their years as "clockwork mice" for NATO ASW training during their 30 year service.
One of the last exercises run by HMCS Oakanogan, in 1998 was a transit from Esquimault, 200 miles out to sea, a turn around, then running the Straight of Juan de Fuca, up Puget Sound, with the target being the US Boomer base at Kitsap. 5 NATO nations provided 17 ships, 3 subs, 32 aircraft to the ASW exercise.
Oakanogan made it there and back with out being detected.
France is part of NATO.
Advertising to the World that NATO can't do ASW anymore, is bad juju.
Australias collins class sibmarines also "hit" a u.s carrier and escaped unscathed in Hawaiian war games about a decade ago.
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