Maximum depth of submarine diving: features and requirements

Underwater shipbuilding pursues several goals. All of them, one way or another, are associated with a decrease in the possibility of finding a submarine due to the increase in the distance between it and the water surface, as well as some other factors. Of course, the military-industrial complex in general is a special area, the goals of which are often very different from those of an ordinary civilian. However, in the present article we will consider some data on the depth of submarine diving, as well as the limits in which this magnitude varies.

A bit of history: a bathyscaphe

The material in question will, of course, refer to warships. Although human studies of the sea openings include visiting even a planetary maximum of depth - the bottom of the Mariana Trench, which is known to be located more than 11 km from the surface of the World Ocean. However, the historical dive, which took place back in 1960, was held in a bathyscaphe. This is an apparatus that does not possess buoyancy in the full sense, since it can only sink, and then rise at the expense of the artifice of engineering genius. In general, when operating a bathyscaphe, there is no question of moving in the horizontal plane for any serious distances. Therefore, the depth of submarine diving, which, as you know, can cover huge distances, is much less than the record for a bathyscaphe, at least for now.

The most important characteristic

Speaking about records in the field of development of oceanic expanses, one should not forget about the true purpose of submarines. Military targets and combat charge, usually located on such ships, imply not only the highest mobility necessary for them. In addition, they must skillfully hide in ideally suitable for this water strata, float at the right time and as soon as possible drop into the depth necessary for survival after the military operation. In fact, the latter determines the level of combat capability of the ship. Thus, the maximum depth of a submarine's dive is one of its most important characteristics.

Factors of increase

In this regard, there are several considerations. The increase in depth makes it possible to improve the maneuverability of the submarine in the vertical plane, since the length of the warship is usually at least several tens of meters. Thus, if it is 50 meters under water, and its dimensions are twice as large, moving down or upwards is fraught with a complete loss of camouflage.

In addition, in water layers there is such a thing as "thermal layers", which strongly distort the sonar signal. If you go below them, the submarine becomes almost "invisible" to the tracking equipment of surface ships. Not to mention the fact that at greater depths such a device is much more difficult to destroy by any weapons available on the planet.

The greater the depth of submarine diving, the stronger the body, capable of withstanding unbelievable pressures. This, again, is in the hands of the general defensive capability of the ship. Finally, if the depth limit allows to lie on the ocean floor, it also increases the invisibility of the submarine for any location equipment available to modern tracking systems.

Basic terminology

There are two main characteristics that show the ability of a submarine to dive. The first is the so-called working depth. In foreign sources, it also appears as operational. This characteristic shows what is the depth of submerging of submarines, which can be lowered unlimited number of times during the entire period of operation. For example, the American "Tresher" normally performed 40 dives per year within a given magnitude, while at the next attempt to exceed it tragically did not perish with all the crew in the Atlantic. The second most important characteristic is the calculated or destructive (in foreign sources) depth. Corresponds to its value, at which the hydrostatic pressure exceeds the strength of the housing, computed during the design of the device.

Test depth

There is one more characteristic, which should be mentioned in the context. This is the depth of the submarine sinking, the limit according to calculations, the location below which can cause the destruction of the skin itself, or frames, or other external equipment. It is also called "test" in foreign sources. In no case should it be exceeded for a particular apparatus.

Returning to the "Tresher": with a design value of 300 meters, he went to a test depth of 360 meters. By the way, in the United States at this depth, the submarine leaves immediately after launching from the plant and, in fact, "runs" for a certain period of time before it is transferred to the ordering agency. We finish the sad story of "Treasurer". The tests at 360 meters for him ended tragically, and although this was not caused by the depth, but by technical problems with the atomic engine of the submarine, however, the randomness, apparently, is not accidental.

The submarine lost its course due to the engine stop, the ballast tanks purge failed, and the unit went to the bottom. According to experts, the destruction of the hull of the submarine occurred at a depth of about 700 meters, so that, as we see, there is still a considerable difference between the test value and the really destructive one.

Average digits

Over time, of course, the depths increase. If the submarines of the Second World were calculated for values of 100-150 meters, subsequent generations raised these limits. With the invention of the possibility of using nuclear decay to create engines, the depth of immersing nuclear submarines has also increased. In the early 60-ies it was already about 300-350 meters. Modern submarines have a range of about 400-500 meters. While on this front there is obvious stagnation, it seems, it's up to future developments, although it should be mentioned about the extraordinary project created in the Soviet Union in the 80s.

Absolute record

We are talking about the submarine "Komsomolets", unfortunately, tragically sunk, but it still belongs to the unconquered summit in the development of the sea depths by modern submarines. This unique project has no analogues in the whole world. The fact is that a very durable, expensive and extremely inconvenient in the processing material - titanium - was used to make its case. The maximum depth of submarine diving in the world is still owned by "Komsomolets". This record was established in 1985, when the Soviet submarine reached 1027 meters below the sea surface.

By the way, the working value for it was 1000 m, and the estimated value - 1250. As a result, the Komsomolets sank in 1989 due to a violent fire, which began at a depth of about 300 meters. And although he, unlike the same "Tresher", managed to emerge, the story still turned out to be very tragic. The fire damaged the submarine so much that it almost immediately sank. Several people were killed in the fire, and about half of the crew drowned in the icy water, until help arrived.

Conclusion

The depth of submerging of modern submarines is 400-500 meters, the maximum usually has somewhat larger values. The record in 1027 meters, established by "Komsomolets", is not yet in force by any of the submarines in service in all countries. A word for the future.