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Originally Posted by hi_im_god
that's a surtass (surface towed array sonar ship) used in anti-submarine warfare. i was on board a much smaller version of the one pictured that was the prototype for this class of ship in the 90's.
the one I was on was a converted commercial oil drilling vessel. They used the well in the bottom of the ship to lower the towed array in the water. the one pictured has the obvious advantage of allowing the towed array to trail behind the ship without risking contact with the bottom of the ship itself.
the sonar on these light up everything. there is no hiding if you're a sub and one is in the area. this is also the sonar that environmental groups have complained is a whale killer.
i'd take the subtext of this story to be a chinese sub was in the area we wanted a close look at and the chinese didn't want us to see. i'd be intersted to know if they've launched a new class and we're doing due diligence.
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but i doubt they have anything that can compete with our sea wolf class-but you're right on, something was in the area that they don't want us checking out. that and the fact that they are sooo touchy about their space, and taiwan of course. it may be int'l waters, but it's
their int'l waters-just ask them!