USS Asheville Comes to Television - TV Special on the Asheville

[ramius-ii]

Hi All:

As many people may know I work at KTTV Fox Television here in Los Angeles, California. We are doing a special on the USS Asheville, a Los Angeles Class fast attack submarine out of San Diego. The producer, Bob Tarlau, has a webpage with a lot of pictures of the Asheville at: http://tarlau.com. Below is the text from Bob's site:

"Anchor/reporter John Beard ("Anchor of the Boat"), Photographer Ken Moore and Engineering VP Will Dishong (a former submariner returning to the deep for the first time in over 30 years) went with Bob and the officers and men of the USS Asheville, a Los Angeles Class fast attack submarine on a 24 hour shoot on Jan 12 and Jan 13, 2004 out of San Diego. Results of the voyage will be seen in a half-hour special airing on KTTV Fox 11 in Los Angeles at 10:30PM on Friday, Feb 20. Tremendous thanks to Commander P. J. Scanlon and the enthusiastic and cooperative crew aboard the USS Asheville along with JOC Robert Feinberg and Lt. Kim Marks of CSS11at Navy Base Point Loma who made this journey a thrilling, never to be forgotten undertaking."

I thought this might be of interest to the members as many times these specials are carried by other Fox stations across the country.

Ed

[Antoine]

Thank you Ed for this

Thank you Ed for this link ! A good source for the detailling of my LA

[anonymous]

Wow! Thank you! Interesting mast

Wow! Thank you! Interesting mast on page 2 (first image). Good documentation and excellent photography along with photo specs..

Thank you again,

Steve Reichmuth

[Antoine]

I already saw that topic

I already saw that topic on the SC boards, but I could see the new masts camo scheme ! Another good point of these shots.

Why this modification ? any idea ? the black spots were too flashy ?

[ramius-ii]

Hi Antoine:
Bob Tarlau is

Hi Antoine:
Bob Tarlau is a really nice person and I think if you send him an e-mail, he may have other/additional pictures, or forward your questions on. Right now we are trying to get some still shots from the video.

Best, Ed

[PaulC]

Steve,

I'm very intrigued by that

Steve,

I'm very intrigued by that mast as well. I've seen it in a few other pictures. Anyone know anything about it?

Great display of photos!

Paul

[anonymous]

http://www.subcommittee.com/forum/SUBHDR.JPGhttp://misheli.image.pbase.com/u38/bobtarlau/large/25218966.Embark021AshevillerampsailE.jpg


Hello Paul & everyone,

I did




Hello Paul & everyone,

I did some 'research' and believe I found the identity and purpose of the new mast observed on the USS Asheville SSN - 758 in January 2004 - San Diego. It is referred to as a SUBHDR mast. It is a very new satellite communications high data rate antenna which replaces the one of two AN/BRA-34 masts (at the former portside mast location). See diagram attached I made up. It uses a unique inward hydraulically actuated door opening system to cover the round mast opening. The antenna also is invisible to radar. It is quite a remarkable communications system, read below. As of September 2003, twenty seven 688 class submarines have been so retrofitted over a 3 year period. It is also slated for use on the Seawolf SSN, Ohio SSBN/SSGN (retrofitting) classes, and Virginia classes (new) in FY-2004.

Hope this helps, Are we good or are we!

Steve Reichmuth


http://www.dt.navy.mil/pao....MS.html





By Layne Wyckoff

PHILADELPHIA—The following article details the Machinery Integration, Communications, and Networking Department’s (Code 96) efforts in support of the submarine high data rate (SUBHDR) mast, an effort which began in 1990, beginning with the design, test, and installation of the system on SSN 688 Class fast attack submarines. Three years ago Code 9622 installed the first SUBHDR antenna system on USS Providence. This effort was highly supported by Richard DiCintio, who died last April. This article is written in dedication to him with thanks.

Looking down the waterfront at Groton Submarine Base on May 14, 2003, it appeared that 80% of the submarine fast attack force was back home from a very successful Operation Iraqi Freedom. Two months earlier, that same waterfront had become a ghost town, as technical representatives like myself accomplished last minute repairs on vital systems, so submarines could deploy fully operational. The submarines, which had just moored pier-side this week, had “welcome home” wreaths hanging from the sail/fairwater, indicating to everyone at the waterfront that they had a successful deployment. It also became apparent to me that 80% of the submarine force along that waterfront now sported a new high-tech joint Fleet tactical communication mast referred to as a Submarine High Data Rate (SUBHDR) antenna system.

After Desert Storm and the fall of military might of the Soviet Union, it became apparent to OPNAV that the fast attack submarine force mission had to change, or the submarine force would become less than a capable platform for the Joint Force missions. The submarine had been highly exalted after WWII by sinking an incredible 5-1/2 million tons of enemy war and supply ships, while comprising less than 2% of the naval personnel. It was now extremely important to integrate the submarine force into the carrier battle group DoD Joint Strategic Strike Forces (Seapower 21). The Navy Extremely High Frequency Satellite Program (NESP) has a force activity designation (FAD) I program with a DX industrial priority rating. NESP is part of the DoD joint force MILSTAR Satellite Communication Program signed by former President Ronald Reagan in 1983, which gave this program the highest national security rating.

SUBHDR is an integral part of the NESP. Without extremely high frequency (EHF) communications, the tactical acumen we witnessed during Operation Iraqi Freedom from our joint forces would have not been possible. The numerous Tomahawk cruise missiles launched by the Los Angeles (SSN 688) Class fast attack submarine force was made possible by the SUBHDR system. The SSN 688 Class fast attack submarine can carry 16 Tomahawk land attack missiles ready for submerged launch, with up to 12 additional Tomahawks that can be reloaded and fired while submerged.

Submarines within the carrier battle group generally carry about 20% of the Tomahawk firepower. The stealth characteristics of a submarine, allow the submarine to be positioned strategically to perform its mission with little to no threat. Submarines are the most credible, survivable, and potent land attack missile platform in our naval arsenal.

The SUBHDR system provides the submarine force with worldwide high data rate satellite communications capabilities. It is the top-priority command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence (C4I) initiative and is the Navy’s first multi-band dish antenna system. It enables the submarine Fleet to access a variety of systems, including the secure, survivable Joint-MILSTAR Satellite Program in the EHF . It will eventually provide the capability to receive time critical tactical information from the Global Broadcast Service (GBS). It also provides access to the Defense Satellite Communication System (DSCS) in the super high frequency (SHF) band. Currently, the inboard submarine switching architecture is limiting system data transfer rates to 15% of its total potential. Even at the current limited data rate, the transfer of high-resolution color images as well as streaming video on the SUBHDR antenna are received/transmitted in fractions of a second.

The EHF band portion of the antenna is the critical covert tactical part of the system. The EHF data are not only encrypted, but the data are sent via a narrow beam width with frequency hopping, which prevents signal jamming. The narrow beam width introduces a high level of complexity to the system, by forcing the system to very accurately point the dish precisely to link with an inclined geostationary orbiting MILSTAR Satellite. Precise navigational/GPS inputs are needed, along with sensing the movement/position using an internal outboard mast ring laser gyro-system, as the outboard mast is coursing through the water at periscope depth. The software code, mechanical, electrical interfaces are true engineering marvels to behold. The top of the antenna radome and inner mast assembly uses mechanical shaping and radar absorbing structure (RAS) to make the large 21-3/4 inch diameter radome and the top inner mast invisible to radar.

The SUBHDR Antenna Program is a field upgrade to existing communication antennas on the Los Angeles, Seawolf, and Ohio Class submarines and is targeted for new installations on the Virginia Class and SSN 23. Initial studies and meetings have also been conducted with the British and Canadian allied navies to possibly outfit their submarine platforms with this vital communication system. In 1990, the System Integration and Modernization Section (Code 9622) was tasked by NUWC Codes 34 acting as SPAWAR Systems Command Code PMW-173 Technical Design Agent (TDA) to design, fabricate, test and qualify a prototype SUBHDR Mast Mechanical Group (MMG), as well as integrate and install the antenna system shipboard. The MMG is a vital component, which houses and protects the antenna, as well as raises and lowers the system from the fairwater or sail. It is the quietest sail mast operating system on SSN 688 Class submarines and according to some platforms, undetectable during its operation.

In 1996, the SUBHDR program was tasked to become the first multifunction dish antenna. To meet the high data rate requirements, the overall size of the antenna had to increase. Code 9622 was successful in redesigning the system to incorporate the largest communication/ ESM sensor at 21-3/4 inches in diameter, far larger than its 17-inch predecessor. Sensors of this magnitude, with a sail closure door system, require a full sail bay; however, Code 9622 managed to incorporate the SUBHDR antenna system in half a sail bay. The SUBHDR MMG is designed with a unique inward opening, hydraulic actuated sail closure door system, which made fitting the SUBHDR antenna system possible.

Major improvements in design of the MMG have substantially reduced noise levels, maintenance costs/actions, and weight by redesigning components and utilizing new composites, titanium, and elastomers in the design process. The SUBHDR Antenna Program funded the final material approval testing and was granted NAVSEA approval to use a new titanium TI-5111, which was initially under development at Carderock Division for use as a hull structural material in the mid-1980s. TI-5111 exhibits strong resistance to stress corrosion cracking (SCC) in seawater, while maintaining strength and workability. The SUBHDR Antenna Program uses TI-5111 for antenna mast housing and for the closure door linkage components to reduce weight and size of these components. A one-piece gel-coated fiberglass fairing was developed for the MMG for improved strength and reduced maintenance.

The external mast bearing assemblies were redesigned to simplify bearing installation, future adjustments and to reduce system weight. A new microprocessor based hydraulic control unit (HCU) operates the faired mast assembly and closure door through a single operator control switch and provides additional protection to the SUBHDR antenna, if system failures occur. New faired mast lifting devices and special inserts were developed to provide a safer and quicker means of removing and installing faired mast assemblies onto a submarine platform. Many of the above design improvements have spilled over into the other faired mast systems using field changes or MACHALTs.

After successful SUBHDR MMG prototype testing, Code 9622 was tasked to oversee production of the new-fielded SUBHDR antenna system with the installation of SHIPALT 4173K Increment #1 on SSN 688 Class Submarines. The installation also includes all SUBSAFE inspection and documentation. The installation requires 15 to 20 highly skilled onsite technicians/craftsmen for 45 to 55 double shift days. This arduous task is ongoing at a blistering pace. To date, 27 SSN 688 Class submarines, half of the fast attack submarine force, have been accomplished in less than three years. Code 9622 has been able to man as many as five concurrent installations with success, which is remarkable. This speaks volumes of all the support personnel’s hard work and dedication to the submarine Fleet. Completion of the installation of the SUBHDR antenna system on all 54 ships in the SSN 688 Class is scheduled for FY 06. For the Seawolf Class, the installation of the SUBHDR antenna system on SSN 21 and SSN 22, under SHIPALT 4148K, is scheduled for completion in FY 04, and government furnished material (GFM) was shipped in FY02 to Electric Boat for installation on the SSN 23 during its construction period.

In an article contained within Sea Power, July 2003, titled “Sub Director Foresees ‘Revolutionary’ Power of SSGNs,” Rear Admiral Paul F. Sullivan states the following:

“There is a very good news story that developed during the recent Iraqi Freedom operation. We had 12 U.S. submarines [in-theater], and we had two of the British submarines that launched Tomahawks. Of the 800 or so Tomahawk missiles that were shot, about a third of them were fired by those 14 ships. What really intrigued me watching this as a research sponsor was the ability of ... the high data rate antenna. All but one of our ships had that. It is a wideband antenna that allows you to be on the net and have the bandwidth to pass a lot of information.

They [the sub crews] were sitting there with four different chat rooms, real-time, all interconnected 24/7 with Command Authority [and with other subs]. When one sub had a firing problem, another helped with troubleshooting and getting the missile ready to launch. Someone asked, ‘Well, how do you possibly keep track of four different chat rooms?’ The truth is that this generation can do their homework and watch TV and listen to music and talk on the phone all at the same time.”

The importance of the SUBHDR Antenna System can be seen in an article from the Providence Journal]http://www.providenceri.[/url] com/uss-providence/freedom. html. Once at this site, double click the article. This will take you to a Providence Journal site and then double click “Visitor” and fill-out the data sheet. Submit the data sheet and you will be launched directly into the article.

For More Information Contact]spauldinglr@nswccd.navy.mil[/email] or (215) 897-7702.

[anonymous]

http://www.subcommittee.com/forum/SUBHDR mast.JPG


Close up of new




Close up of new SUBHDR mast.

Steve Reichmuth

[PaulC]

Steve,

Talk about answering a question!

Steve,

Talk about answering a question! That is terrific stuff. Thanks for the all the hard work. I guess we'll have to start retrofitting our boats too...

[JWLaRue]

Hey Steve,

....how about turning this

Hey Steve,

....how about turning this into an article for the SCR?

-Jeff

[anonymous]

No problem. Contact me (email)

No problem. Contact me (email) for what specificly you need.

Steve

[anonymous]

Is this the same mast

Is this the same mast that can be seen here:
Polar Cruise

[anonymous]

Yes, it appears to be

Yes, it appears to be the same mast on Honolulu, same location, shape, and size. Here is added another image after the fact, re-examining many past images. Image is of USS Boise SSN-764 taken on May 28, 2002. Image notations show SUBHDR antenna top 'door' clearly. Something in the Bible about looking but not seeing? Now I see....SUBHDR!

Steve Reichmuth

[ramius-ii]

Hi All]www.Asheville.com complete with their

Hi All]www.Asheville.com[/url] complete with their e-mail address!

Ed