In this era of rapid technological development, technological progress is also changing all aspects of the military field, including the mode of warfare and weaponry.
In terms of naval warfare, a new combat platform that combines the dual advantages of aircraft carriers and submarines, the submersible aircraft carrier, may be unveiled in the future and change the mode of naval warfare in the future.
In late July this year, United States' "National Interest" published an article entitled "Diving Aircraft Carriers: How to Combine Aircraft Carriers and Submarines," which put forward a plan for developing a diving aircraft carrier; although this new type of equipment is an underwater combat platform, it can combine the concealment of submarines with the aviation combat capabilities of aircraft carriers, and can not only dive underwater like traditional submarines to avoid enemy detection, but also launch combat drones into the ocean or air through built-in flight decks or special launch devices to carry out reconnaissance and attacks, communication relay and other tasks.
This combination of dual combat capabilities enables the submarine aircraft carrier to have extremely high survivability and operational flexibility in a complex and changeable battlefield environment, which can greatly improve the combat capability of underwater equipment.
In fact, as early as the end of the 60s of the last century, United States had planned to build a submersible aircraft carrier, codenamed AN-1, with an underwater displacement of nearly 15,000 tons, which could carry 8 manned fighters, which were usually stored in two separate pressurized shells in the front section of the boat, and could be launched through 2 vertical launchers during combat. However, because the technology was too complex and the surface combat power of United States was far superior to that of other countries, there was no need to develop it, so its development work was terminated indefinitely.
Nowadays, with the advancement of UAV and submarine technology, there is basically no technical difficulty in launching unmanned aircraft on submarines, and they can be launched from torpedo tubes, so the manufacture of submersible aircraft carriers is very possible.
The main function of a diving aircraft carrier
Stealth combat: Submarine aircraft carriers are much more concealed than aircraft carriers and other ships on the surface because they sail underwater. With the help of the concealment of submarines, submersible aircraft carriers can sneak outside the detection range of enemy radar and sonar, and launch a sudden attack, so as to achieve the tactical effect of "changing places with one shot".
Long-range reconnaissance: By launching reconnaissance drones, submersible aircraft carriers can conduct continuous and efficient surveillance of vast sea areas, providing real-time and accurate intelligence support for command and decision-making.
Precision Strike: The attack drone can perform precision strike missions against ground, sea and even air targets, improving combat effectiveness.
Communication relay: UAVs can also be used as communication relay stations to enhance information connections between submarines and other combat units, and improve overall combat coordination capabilities.
Underwater drone launch technology for submersible carriers
There are various ways to realize the technology of launching UAVs underwater by submersible carriers, mainly including the following:
Torpedo tube modifications: The United States Navy has experimented early on with launching small reconnaissance drones, such as the Red Bream and Black Wing, through the torpedo tubes of submarines. This method is simple and straightforward, but limited by the size of the launch tube, the size and load of the drone are limited.
Built-in catapult: A submersible carrier can design a special catapult device, which is installed inside or outside the submarine at a specific location to catapult the drone out of the water. This method enables the launch of larger, heavier payloads, but is technically demanding.
Autonomous propulsion underwater: Israel's Eagle Owl-103 drone demonstrates another way of thinking, that is, when the submarine is underwater, it is launched directly from the inside of the submarine, and the drone is autonomously propelled to the surface in the water and then turns into the air. This approach enhances the concealment and survivability of the drone.
Types of underwater drones for submersible carriers
At present, underwater UAVs are mainly divided into three categories: reconnaissance type, attack type and communication relay type. Reconnaissance UAVs, such as the "Red Bream", "Black Wing" and "Eagle Owl"-103, are mainly responsible for intelligence gathering and target surveillance; Attack UAVs carry weapons systems capable of delivering precision strikes against enemy targets; The communication relay UAV serves as a bridge for information transmission and enhances the connection between combat units.
The role of submersible aircraft carriers in future wars
Submarine carriers and the underwater drones they carry will play an inestimable role in future wars. First of all, they will greatly enhance the Navy's covert combat capabilities, making it difficult for the enemy to understand our attack intentions and movements.
Secondly, through the wide application of UAVs, submersible aircraft carriers can achieve long-range reconnaissance, precision strikes and efficient communications, providing all-round support for naval operations.
In addition, the submarine aircraft carrier can also form an organic linkage with other combat platforms to build a three-dimensional naval and air combat system and further improve the overall combat efficiency.
In short, submersible aircraft carriers have the potential to become a subversive force in future underwater warfare, and are gradually moving from theory to practice. With the continuous maturity and improvement of technology, it is bound to shine in the future naval battlefield and become the key direction of the development of the navies of various countries.
Source: China News Network reported on July 30 that "'diving aircraft carrier' may become a huge breakthrough in underwater warfare"