USS Virginia experts, I got a question

[novagator]

What the big boxes running down the side of the sub in this picture? They are huge with a wire coming out? Do they get removed for sea?

[novagator]

So no one knows what

So no one knows what the boxes are? Maybe Matt knows?

[JWLaRue]

Hi John,

Those are the flank

Hi John,

Those are the flank sonar arrays. Similar to those found on the Seawolf class.

Based on the photos and a conversation I had with the COB of the Seawolf, it looks like the Virginia was launched without the anechoic covering on her....as was done with the 'Wolf. This was applied to the Seawolf after her launch and around the time of her commisioning during a planned yard visit.

-Jeff

[jim kerswell]

Jeff,

Part of the problem, here,

Jeff,

Part of the problem, here, is that the size of the image is so great that it takes a long time to load. You are presuming that Novagator is referring to the flank sonar arrays. The picture is of the commissioning ceremony, showing the boat in the water with a set of boxy appendages between the waterline and the deck. I don't know what they are but I would imagine that they are there only for the fitting out of the boat and would be removed before sea trials.

JK

[novagator]

Sorry about the picture size,

Sorry about the picture size, it was the smallest one they had.

[JWLaRue]

Jim,

You are correct. We may

Jim,

You are correct. We may be referring to different things!

-Jeff

[novagator]

Jeff,

Part of the problem, here,

Jeff,

Part of the problem, here, is that the size of the image is so great that it takes a long time to load. You are presuming that Novagator is referring to the flank sonar arrays. The picture is of the commissioning ceremony, showing the boat in the water with a set of boxy appendages between the waterline and the deck. I don't know what they are but I would imagine that they are there only for the fitting out of the boat and would be removed before sea trials.

JK

That is exactly was I was referring too.

[fx models]

Hey thats funny. In that

Hey thats funny. In that image of the christening, look under the white tent on the left side of the image. On the left side, at the forward end of that tent is a guy in a yellow T-Shirt. Directly behind him is me in my blue shirt! I was caught on film. hee hee...

From that vantage point and all the others we could get around to, it was clear that the Virginia was indeed missing the coatings. It is immediately evident in the images of course because the bitts and so forth are RAISED at their bases as are many other details. But nowhere is it more evident than when viewing the towed array cover plates down the starboard side. Each cover segment had a central recess meant for being filled by covering material. It was also riding high in the water too, with the top of the propulsor shroud being exposed above the water at the stern.

She looks different now though.

Hope the observations help.

Marc