PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST

NAWCAD BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT OFFICE

The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) Detachment Key West, Fla., is adding another research vessel to its present fleet of seven vessels. This one, however, will prove to be the most unique of the vessels the detachment has owned.

The ex-USS Trout, SS566, a post-World War II diesel-electric submarine was operated as recently as 1979 by the Navy to prepare it for transfer to Iran. Before this could take place, however, Iran seized American hostages and the vessel was seized by the U.S. along with other Iranian assets. The vessel lay at Inactive Ships facilities in the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard while legal and diplomatic entanglements were resolved. It was then sold at scrap value to the Program Executive Office for Undersea Warfare (PEO (USW)) in 1994, was moved to Newport, R.I., where it lay awaiting viable utilization plans.

After a NAWCAD marketing survey which included all anti-submarine warfare (ASW) platforms in the Navy showed strong interest, especially from the air community, the vessel has been acquired by the detachment for use as an underwater acoustic target for ASW research and development, operational testing, and training requirements of Navy.

The vessel was built in the 1950's, incorporating the German Type XXI design developed late in the war. The primary focus of this and her sister ships was to allow for evaluation of tactics and vulnerabilities of then current ASW doctrine when faced with a faster, deeper-diving target than previously considered.

This design was also obtained by the Soviet Union and used to develop several classes of submarines, which they have since sold to emerging third world countries. This design and its evolution represent the most numerous submarine type operated throughout the world. As the changing mission of ASW for the United States has emphasized these smaller, quieter (on battery power), harder-to-detect targets, the Navy is having a difficult time obtaining required test and training time on realistic ASW acoustic targets. With the acquisition of this vessel, the Key West detachment hopes to serve as one of the primary providers for these services. Patrol squadrons and carrier-based ASW aircraft from Jacksonville can easily fly down, perform a training or testing period and fly back with a short deployment at NAS Key West if required.

Additionally, this vessel will perform a great service for research and development programs, whose purpose is to provide the fleet with the next generation sensor and data processing systems to maintain capability in the very challenging, shallow water areas where the United States expects to encounter the third world targets.

While the vessel is presently in good shape, there will be a required refurbishment period to bring the required systems back on-line following the 18-year storage period. The operational concept calls for the vessel to be manned while on the surface, driven out to the test area using the diesel engines, then switching to battery power and securing systems for diving. The crew will be taken off to the mother ship, and the vessel will then be operated as a remote controlled submarine under control by the mother ship to perform the required mission.

A number of funding sources are being explored to achieve this capability, with the most likely source being test and evaluation investment programs already in place to address test deficiencies identified by major acquisition programs.

Additionally, this brings back to Key West a part of its heritage as a submarine base, when naval presence was at a higher level. Many residents today remember when the submarines were based at Truman Annex, and some will even recall serving aboard those boats. This will be another significant link to the history of Key West.

Key West is an ideal location for the operation of the vessel as a variety of water depths, acoustic conditions, ambient noise and subsurface currents are available in the vicinity, and the weather rarely causes test delays.

The NAWCAD detachment has highly regarded research vessels and personnel, and nearby NAS Key West provides support for deployed aircraft. Officials said this asset will bring a much needed capability to the U.S. Navy test resource inventory.

Any questions on the vessel may be directed to Lawrence Coar, NAWCAD Det Key West director, at (305) 293-4343 or DSN 483-4343.

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Last updated: 8.28.97
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Document originally found at: http://www.dcmilitary.com/navy/tester/aug28/tst_c82897.html